Earth: One of the 5 elements in Nature
The five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether are examined in this series, along with the ways in which reestablishing a connection with the natural world can serve as a catalyst for rediscovering one’s authentic self.
If you’re interested in reestablishing a more harmonious relationship with the natural world, I recommend starting there. Exposure to natural environments, such as a nearby park or forest, has been shown to have profound positive effects on health and well-being, including lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system, improving mental health, and increasing longevity.
Spending more time in nature has a balancing effect on our bodies, minds, and energies. There is a plethora of techniques that can be done in the comfort of one’s own home to bring about a harmony of one’s own energetic elements. You’ll learn about the many ways you can reconnect with nature on all levels—mental, physical, and olfactory—through the use of colour, scent, self-care practises, and yogic techniques.
Become one with Mother Nature
It’s amazing how quickly our feet can stop touching the ground. The more time we spend indoors, in cars, with shoes on, staring at screens, and in general, the less time we spend in touch with nature, the more disconnected we become from the planet. We lose sight of our interdependent place in nature the more time passes between our bodies and the earth and the outside world. That’s why it’s so easy to get caught up in the “I, me, my” trap.
The more we give in to the ego by putting our attention on ourselves and our wants and desires rather than the needs of others and the world as a whole, the more stressed and alone we become. In fact, when we cut ourselves off from the earth and nature, we also cut ourselves off from our true nature, which is unfettered, fearless, stress-free conscious awareness.
To reacquaint oneself with the earth element, it is preferable to reduce one’s actions rather than increase them. It is possible to regain a sense of stability and stability by simplifying, letting go, and returning to our most primal selves.
The five senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell will be explored in depth throughout this foundational series. Also included are the yoga postures and breathing exercises that can be used to begin developing the qualities of each element within ourselves. It’s not so much about learning new ways to connect with the elements as it is remembering the ones you already know from before you set out on this journey.
Earthing
“Earthing” refers to the process of re-establishing a physical connection with the planet’s surface. “Grounding,” as it’s more commonly known, is a simple technique that has been shown to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, speed wound healing, and soothe chronic inflammatory conditions.
Positively charged ions are found in phones, Wi-Fi networks, and computers, while negative ions are more common at Earth’s surface. In most cases, exposure to these positively charged ions is harmful to one’s health. In order to reduce the accumulation of positive ions in the body and neutralise the charge, it is helpful to periodically disconnect from phones and reconnect to the earth. This usually results in improved mental and physical health and a sense of being “grounded” emotionally.
Sweet and sour flavour
Each flavour is associated with a specific element and has the power to heighten our awareness of that element’s vitality. According to Ayurveda, achieving the “right” balance of tastes at each meal contributes to a more balanced state of mind and body. To take just one example, an excess of ‘bitter’ flavour can disrupt the balance of air, ether, and wind energies within us, causing fatigue, nervousness, and a lack of cellular nourishment.
Both the sweet and sour tastes are associated with the earth element, and both help to nourish the body, build tissues, provide emotional comfort, and aid in the efficient absorption of vitamins and nutrients. Adding more sweet foods to your diet, such as rice, basil, cashews, dates, milk, bananas, melon, beetroot, sweet potato, cardamom, and cinnamon, can help you feel more rooted and stable. Some examples of sour foods are grapefruit, lemons, limes, pickles, tomatoes, bread, vinegar, and garlic.
Observation: Red and the outdoors
Walking in the woods and paying attention can help you feel more ‘grounded’ and in touch with the earth again. Instead of listening to a podcast or checking your phone, take in your surroundings, taking note of the changing colours of the leaves and the way light filters through the canopy as the seasons pass. To do so is to engage in Shinrin Yoku, also called “forest bathing” or “nature therapy,” and can have profoundly healing effects on the nervous system. Red, in yogic thought, is associated with the base chakra and the element of earth. Wearing red or meditating on a red object is said to boost one’s connection to the earth.
Audible Phenomena: Schumann Resonance and the “Lam” Mantra
Depending on the frequency, one may experience feelings of serenity or alertness. To the best of our knowledge, the Schuman Resonance is a very low sound frequency emitted as a result of the vibration of the Earth’s rotation. A perspective shift and a reminder that we are all Earthlings can result from tuning in to this frequency. The mantra ‘Lam,’ the bija or’seed’ mantra for the root chakra, is another sound that can help evoke more earth energy. As part of your japa meditation, chant this mantra in a calm, low voice.
Increasing one’s olfactory usage
One of our earliest developed senses is our ability to smell, which is fitting since the earth element is associated with the ground. We rely on our sense of smell more than we give it credit for. Everything from unconsciously picking up on a loved one’s pheromones to using smell to determine if food is still good even after it’s passed its best-before date in the fridge….
Just by observing how much animals rely on their sense of smell, we can see that it is indeed a primal sense, and that rediscovering our own sense of smell is an excellent way to reawaken our connection to the earth. Take a moment to focus on your sense of smell right now, savour the aroma of a favourite scent as you meditate, or simply take the time to smell the roses on your next nature walk.
The three pillars of hip opening yoga postures
Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and Malasana (garland Pose or “Yogi Squat”), both of which encourage focus on the feet, legs, and hips, can boost our earth energy because they mimic our natural human postures. Keeping your focus on your feet as you move through each pose is a gentle way to practise with the earth element in mind. When you’re in Warrior 1, do your bare feet feel a connection to the mat? Feel your weight distributed through the soles of your feet, the strength of your legs, and the ease of your hips in Tadasana.
Box breathing, or Pranayama
Box breathing is a form of equal inhalation and exhalation (Sama Vritti) that can help us feel more centred and at ease. Every yantra, or shape for meditation, corresponds to one of the elements. Use the yantra for the earth element, a red square, to guide your pranayama:
- Create a mental image of a large red square. Examine the square’s perimeter and angles.
- Focus your attention from left to right along the top of the square as you take a deep breath.
- As you let out your breath, drift your focus from top to bottom along the right side of the square.
- As you take a deep breath in, let your focus travel from right to left across the square’s base as you focus on the present moment.
- After releasing another breath, direct your focus upward along the left side of the square.
- Keep going for another 3 to 5 minutes
