The Beauty of Seasonal Transitions
Here, in the mountains of WNC, we are experiencing one of the most beautiful times of the year! The transition from the earthy energy of late summer into the air-ruled autumn is one of the more delightful annual transitions we experience in the northern hemisphere. Yet, catch me as we transition from the air of autumn to the waters of winter and I’ll most likely be singing the praises of that time as well.
Finding Balance Through the Elements
A simple understanding of the five elements can enhance not only our experience of living in a body and being part of nature—it can also help us maintain equanimity through every season and transition.
My own connection to the elements has given me a compass for alignment, balance, reciprocity and, dare I say it? Joy! Wild, unfettered pleasure flows through me as I work with the five elements in my own life and witness them in the larger world around me.
The five elements are a fundamental concept in Ayurveda. They represent the building blocks of the cosmos, existing in all matter — both organic and inorganic — as well as within our own body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda teaches that the five elements, or tattvas, manifest in a specific order — which begins with space.
Space: The All-Encompassing Beginning
Space arises from the pure, unmanifested Cosmic Consciousness — the source of all. The experience of space is empty, light, subtle and, as Dr. Lad says, “all-pervading, omnipresent, and all-enclosing.” Space begins as the vibration of pure and unmanifested consciousness and is associated with sound and hearing. In the body, space exists in all the in-betweens. Also called “ether,” space can gift us feelings of compassion, expanded consciousness, and peace, yet also the sensations of isolation or being unrooted.
Air: The Principle of Movement
Air emerges next, experienced as clear, light, electrical, and mobile — the second manifestation of consciousness. Though formless, air touches us, it is both perceived through and associated with the sense of touch. Air is the very principle of movement, expressed through everything from muscular activity to the nervous system, breath, and elimination. Air gifts us happiness, enthusiasm, a sense of freshness, but can also bring anxiety and insecurity.
Space and air together are the predominant elements of autumn and are tangible in the breezes and twirling leaves, as well as the dryness and coolness of the season.
Fire: The Spark of Transformation
From air movement, we gain friction which generates the next element: fire. Fire is both hot and luminous — the source of both heat and light. Our sun is a profound source of fire, demonstrating the active and changeable nature of fire. The fire element in our bodies is found in digestion, metabolism, temperature regulation, and assimilation. It fuels our intelligence and enables transformation, comprehension, and recognition. Fire also gives us competitive drive, giving rise to ambition, anger, and jealousy.
Fire is the spark of summer, felt in the season’s warmth and radiant light, and in our natural urge to connect, create, and move outward. Fire is the spark of summer, tangible in the warmth and peak light, and in our natural urge to connect, create, and express ourselves.
Water: The Flow of Life
What better way to follow the spark of fire than to move with the fluid and flowing element of water? Water is heavy, soft and cohesive. Water is quite literally life – both on a cellular level as well as planetary. Water flows in us as contentment, as love, yet also creates thirst and overfullness. It can take multiple forms — from vapor to liquid to frozen.
The elemental ruler of winter, water is especially enchanting when experienced as snow and frost.
Earth: The Foundation of Strength
Earth is the final element and, as such, the most solid. Heavier than water, dense and firm, this element moves low — it encompasses strength and structure, showing up in our body in all of our solid structures from teeth and bones, to muscles and hair. Earth is our anchored foundation and we often associate it with the sense of smell. It offers stability, support, growth, and forgiveness, though it can also give rise to attachment and greed.
Earth is our anchored foundation, gifting us stability, support, and growth. Earth also bestows the divine quality of the ability to forgive. This element is associated with the sense of smell and when out of balance, can create the experiences of attachment and greed.
Aligning with Nature’s Cycles
In stunning and flawless design, the natural world perpetually offers us the ability to align and find harmony. Witnessing the deciduous trees releasing their leaves in a flurry of color and light, we can recognize that we too have things to release. Intuitively, we might understand that it’s wise to lighten our load before heading into the longer nights of winter.
Turning Inward and Connecting with Spirit
In that inward spiral, we connect with spirit; the most meaningful of connections is possible here — with our very own soul. A true connection with our own soul opens the door to a profound relationship with all souls.
Winter signals that it is time to draw more inward, staying closer to the hearth and warmth, taking rest. In that inward spiral, we find spirit and a meaningful spiritual connection.
The Cycle of Renewal
From the magical respite of winter, spring signals the inclination to unfurl, to begin the journey of growing. This is a gentle time, and we are reminded of this with pale green and tender new shoots, leaves, and flowers.
The energy of growth increases and so it is with summer — a zenith of light and heat and connection which naturally flow after peaking to late summer’s invitation to ground and prepare for fall.
Living in Harmony with the Elements
It’s truly a magical world that we live in, full of wonder. The invitation to create harmony and alignment arrives each day, in multiple ways, so long as we are open to the many forms of invitation and messaging.
Invitation to Learn More
I would love to share more about the elements and how to work with them in your own life and experience. I’m offering Earth as Body, Breath as Prayer November 7th-9th. This weekend course can be applied to 300-hour yoga certification or continuing education credits. It is also open to non-degree seeking students that are enthusiastic and motivated learners! For more information on the course, visit Asheville Yoga Center’s website for course listing and content. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly, by emailing foundationsofyoga@gmail.com.
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