Yoga and the Five Elements

For a moment, take a break from whatever you are doing, close your eyes, and imagine that you are standing barefoot on a beach. You can feel the grainy sand under your feet, the waves splashing rhythmically, the force of wind behind your back, the sun warming your body, and the open sky above you. Just breathe in that wonderful moment. A yogic moment with the elements. 

Yoga and the Five Elements

Yoga is not just about asanas and other practices. Yoga is also about the connection between our bodies and the five elements in nature or panchamahabhuta– fire (agni), air (vayu), space (akash), earth (prithvi) and water (jal). Each of these elements in yoga has an influence on our health. This is so because these elements are the building blocks of our bodies as well as of the macrocosm of the universe. Everything that we see in Prakruti or Nature is made up with different combinations of these five elements. With yogic practices we can bring harmony to each of these five elements which are reflected in our own beings and make our lives harmonious. 

The best thing about cultivating a regular yogic practice is that one can connect with these elements with the help of the various techniques. Each element has a relation to particular areas of our body and mind. With yoga we can systematically use the power of these elements, align with the natural rhythm and bring balance and awareness. Each of these five elements is represented in yoga through specific asana, pranayama , mudra, kriya and other practices. 

The Five Elements

Let us find out how these 5 elements manifest in our bodies.

Fire Element

Agni or fire is all about heat, energy, transformation, digestion, and metabolism. It is this element that makes energy for our bodies. It makes us feel independent, motivated, confident and strong. But when this element is out of balance, we may feel angry or easily irritable. In the body, this may show up as high temperature, digestive issues or inflammation.  

Air Element

This element is about circulation and movement. It includes our breath, thoughts, bodily movements, and blood circulation. When this element is in balance, we feel buoyant and light. On the other hand, any imbalance may cause anxiety, problems in the immune system and production of hormones. 

Space Element

This element is very subtle. It is about the hollow spaces in the body as well as the space inside our cells. When this element is unbalanced, it can create certain blockages. We feel emotionally and physically shut off from the world. There is no openness. Whereas, when this element is in balance, we feel that we can communicate more effectively and truthfully. 

Earth Element

This element is the densest among all the elements. It is stable, heavy and cool. It is what are bodies are mostly made up of – skin, muscles, bones. It gives us a shape. When this element is imbalanced, there may be multiple issues with our body. There may also be fatigue, loss of appetite and less flexibility.

Water Element

This element is nourishing and sustaining. It connects us to our emotions and feelings. When it is in imbalance, there are changes in the fluids of our body which include saliva, digestive juices, blood, and the fluids in our joints and reproduction system. It also causes blockages in our creative expression. 

The Five Elements in Yoga

When you are well-informed about these five elements and how they influence your body and mind, you can build a yoga practice that helps to balance these elements. You just need to develop an understanding of each element within your body to make the necessary adjustments. 

Let us find out more about yogic techniques such as asanas, mudra, and kriya that will help you to keep the elements in sync – the yogic way. 

Mudras are hand gestures which tap into the power of the five elements of nature. Let’s understand this concept clearly first. The five elements of nature or panchamahabhuta are represented on the five fingers of the hand. The thumb represents fire, the index finger – air, the middle finger – space, the ring finger – earth, and the little finger – water. There is a connection between the nerve endings on the fingers during a mudra. Mudras increase the flow of prana or bio-energy in the body. Try to do each mudra for about 5 minutes every day either on an empty stomach or 2 hours after eating. 

Yoga Practices for Earth Element

Yogendra Parvatasana

• Sit in Padmasana / Sukhasana , keeping the hands at their respective sides. Keep the neck straight, shoulders square, abdomen in normal contour, the chin drawn in and eyes focused on a single point straight ahead.
• Inhaling, raise both the arms together, from their respective sides, for an upward stretch.
• Join the palms to each other in this upward stretched position of arms.
• Maintain this fully stretched position, for double the inhalation period, retaining the breath.
• Exhaling, first turn the palm position outwards and then, keeping the arms straight, bring it down to the sides to complete 1 round.
• Practice 4 rounds without pause.

In this pose, you will notice your relation to the Earth and how it keeps you supported at all times. The mind gains deeper understanding of strength from the body.

Prithvi Mudra

Prithvi, the earth element, is all about stability and being grounded. This mudra improves your sense of smell and is good for your nails, skin, hair and bones. It also reduces any feelings of insecurity that you may have and make you feel more confident. 

• Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position or padmasana. 
• Place your hands on your thighs, palms facing up.
• Take a moment to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
• Now, touch the tip of your ring finger to the tip of your thumb, and keep your other fingers straight.

Yoga Practices for Water Element

Yogendra Paschimottanasana 

• Sit on mat with legs fully stretched, feet together and toes facing upwards.
• Keep the spine erect, shoulders and neck firm in its place.
• Hands beside the body, palms facing down.
• Raise both the arms beside the chest, folded at the elbows, parallel to the ground, palms facing down.
• Inhaling, lean back to pull the trunk while keeping spine straight and toes pointing outwards.
• Immediately, exhaling smoothly, bend forward, drawing in the abdomen, simultaneously stretching the hands to cross the toes, while pulling the toes inwards.
• Immediately, come back and repeat the above steps continuously.
• At the end 4 cycles (1 round) come to the centre position and rest the arms by the side, to return to the starting position.

This pose is about fluidity. Let the movements flow just like water. It stretches the spine and brings flexibility.

Varun Mudra

The water element is all about emotional balance and hydration. If you practice this mudra, it will relieve skin disorders and other disorders of the bladder or kidneys. It is also good for indigestion and constipation. Varun mudra is also good for dry eyes which is an issue faced by many people who do desk jobs. 

• Sit comfortably.
• Place your hands on your thighs or knees, palms facing up.
• Close your eyes and breathe naturally.
• Touch the tip of your little finger to the tip of your thumb, and keep the other fingers straight.

Yoga Practices for Fire Element

Yogendra Agnisara

• Stand or sit erect with hands by the sides.
• Contract the muscles of the abdomen and pull them in.
• Immediately release the muscles, allowing the abdomen to return to its natural position.
• Continue to rapidly and forcefully draw your abdomen in and out.
• Begin with 10 to 20 such movements and increase it to 50 cycles, with regular practice.
• Take care not to strain.

In this kriya, agni is the fire unto which all is offered, especially the food we eat. This practice activates the digestive fire.

Surya Mudra

Surya, the fire element, brings energy and transformation. So Surya Mudra increases heat in your body. This improves your metabolism, and promotes weight loss. It is also good for your eyes.

• Get comfortable in a sitting position. 
• Let your hands rest on your thighs, palms facing up.
• Close your eyes, take a nice deep breath.
• Bend your ring finger to touch the base of your thumb. Apply a little pressure on the ring finger with your thumb.
• Keep your other fingers extended.

Yoga Practices for Air Element

Yogendra Pavanmuktasana 

• Lie supine at full length on a mat, feet together and hands resting beside the body.
• First inhale and then exhaling, bend the right leg at the knee and draw it towards the chest.
• Clasp below the knee by interlacing the fingers of both the hands and pull the knee up to the chest and keep it firmly pressed against the chest.
• Keep toes of the folded leg relaxed while the toes of straight leg are active.
• Maintain this pose with breath suspended for double the exhalation period.
• Unclasp and inhaling, equal to exhalation above, gently release the finger hold, bring the hands to its respective sides and simultaneously straighten the leg to bring it back to the starting position.
• Without pausing, repeat the above steps with the left leg to complete 1 round.

This pose is an excellent pose for releasing wind or gas from the digestive tract. It is best practiced in the morning, before any other asanas. 

Vayu Mudra

Vayu, the air element, helps with issues like bloating and gas. Vayu mudra will remove excess “wind” or flatulence from your body. Ayurveda says that there are 51 types of wind in the body that produce numerous disorders, including gout and trembling in the hands. Vayu mudra calms your nervous system and relieves pain.

• Sit comfortably with your back straight. 
• Place your hands on your thighs with your palms facing up.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
• Now, gently bend your index finger to touch the base of your thumb, while keeping the other fingers straight.

Yoga Practices for Space Element

Yogendra Marjariasana-Bitilasana

• Sit in Vajrasana .
• Come forward, resting forearms on the floor in front, keeping elbows outside the knees and palms resting at shoulder-width level.
• Gently move the palms forward by one-palm distance and simultaneously, come on the knees and raise the torso.
• Spread knees and toes to align with respective palms.
• Inhaling, raise the head to look up and simultaneously press the lower back down, maintaining gaze, in line of vision. Hold the posture while retaining the breath, for double the count of inhalation.
• Exhaling, equal to inhalation, tuck the chin in and raise the torso upward to form an arch, while suspending the breath for double the exhalation.
• Inhaling, come back to starting position.

This is about moving in space with openness. It improves flexibility of neck, shoulders and spine.

Apana Mudra

This is a mudra of purification. It balances the earth, water, and air elements in the body. It takes away toxins from your body and stimulates your digestion. 

• To do this mudra sit in a cross-legged position.
• Place your hands on your thighs or knees, palms facing up.
• Close your eyes and take a moment to breathe and center yourself.
• Touch the tips of your middle and ring fingers to your thumbs, and keep the other fingers straight.

FAQs

Ques: How do the five elements in yoga relate to physical health?

Ans: Each element affects different body systems, promoting well-being when balanced.

Ques: How often should I practice to balance the elements in yoga?

Ans: Regular practice, ideally daily, helps maintain balance.

Ques: Can balancing the elements in yoga help alleviate stress?

Ans: Each element provides tools to manage stress and cultivate balance.

Overview

We have to understand and work with the five elements in yoga for a holistic connection between our bodies, minds and Mother Nature. All the five elements – fire, air, space, earth and water – can be tapped into through yogic techniques. In this way, you can create harmony within and around you. This is a significant step toward maintaining balance and general good health.