Journey Through the 5 Elements: Air
The next stop on our journey through the five elements is the air element. Air has the qualities of lightness, clarity, and movement. We may not be able to see air and wind, but they have a profound impact on the world around us, and are an invisible yet powerful force of nature.
For an element that can’t be seen, air is so powerful, just reconnecting to it can help us become more present and sensitive to the world around us.
Air Element & the Heart Chakra
The air element is directly linked to Anahata (the heart chakra) and the sense of touch. The heart is thought of as the place where our soul and life energy is held. In Sanskrit we refer to this life energy as Prana. Prana has many translations, meaning ‘life force energy’, but also ‘breath’. While it can literally translate to breath, it is not the description we would normally think of as breath, but something deeper. In this context it refers to the energy behind each inhalation and exhalation we take, the life force behind that breath, and the way the world around us ‘breathes’ too.
Next time you are out in nature, place one hand on your heart and one hand on a tree or plant. As you inhale, know that you’re inhaling oxygen gifted to you by nature. As you exhale, know that you’re exhaling breath and life back into the plants too.
Here are some additional practices you can use to help you retune into the Air Element.
Touch: Feel the wind in your hair
The next time you’re outside take a moment and tune in to all that is around you. Be mindful of your surroundings: notice the wind in your hair. Does it feel cold or warm? Is it gentle or forceful? Which direction is it coming from? These subtle cues are a wonderful way to become instantly engaged and present with your surroundings.
Taste: Bitter and astringent
The Air Element is present in bitter and astringent tastes. These tastes can help cultivate a sense of lightness, help repair wounds, remove excess swelling or water retention, and ‘dry out’ congestion from phlegm or mucus.
When looking for foods that have bitter, think many of our greens: kale, collard or mustard greens, brussel sprouts, and even cacao! Astringent foods are black tea, pomegranates, beans, and artichokes. These foods can all help impart a sense of cooling and grounding, so are good to eat in hot and humid weather.
Sight: Watch the world move
We may not be able to see air and wind itself, we can see how it moves the world around us. From the impossible to miss movements of tornadoes and hurricanes, to the smallest breeze on a Summer’s day – wind and air are the energy behind much of the movement around us.
Step outside and notice how the air is moving plants, leaves and clouds. Do these things move in an erratic and playful way? Is the movement smooth and slow? How do you feel when the weather is windy and blustery outside?
Smell: Fresh air
Take a moment to breathe in the air in your home. Does it smell old and tired? Are there scents of last night’s dinner, or do you simply get a sense that the room needs a little life breathed into it? Whenever you can, open the windows and let fresh air circulate through the home. Try sleeping with the windows open, fresh, cool air is also known to help improve the quality of your sleep.
Sound – The vibration of sound
Close your eyes and notice the sounds you can hear. Without the Air Element we wouldn’t be able to hear anything. Wind or air, is what carries sound to our ears! Millions of soundwaves around you – from the hum of the refrigerator, to the meow of your cat – are all being carried by air. When you walk in the park or through a forest, stop to listen to the sound of the wind moving through the trees. Pause and enjoy this completely natural soundscape.
Yoga postures & movements for the air element
Here is a short yoga sequence that can help you reconnect to this element:
Prep Poses
Supine Knee circles
Pelvic tilts
Cat / cow pose
Sphinx or cobra pose
Asana Poses
Dancer pose
Warrior III
Locust pose clasp hands behind
Bow pose
Camel pose
Cool Down Poses
Supine knee hug
Happy baby pose
Supported legs in the air pose
Reclining twist
Reclining cobbler, arms overhead
Pranayama
Breathing is perhaps the most direct and intimate way we can connect to the air element. Try practicing a few minutes of simple Sama Vritti (equal breathing) before you get out of bed in the morning. This practice involves gently breathing in and out for an even count (try starting with a count of five), and observing the subtle sensations of life force energy moving through your body.
Take the practice a step further by using your observation of the breath as a tool for meditation, similar to Buddhist techniques. Focus on the breath intently, and if your mind wanders, return it back to your point of focus. Start with five minutes and work your way up to twenty minutes of meditation per day, time permitting.
