The Five Elements

Yoga philosophy recognizes five elements. earth, water, fire, air (wind), and sky (space). These five elements are found in the natural world that surrounds us. Reconnecting to this natural world is a way to attuning our inner well-being. This week the discussion is about the water element and its incredible healing powers.

TheHealing Power of Water

Water has sustained life on this planet for millions of years. When scientists go looking for life on other planets, they look for signs of water. Our earth is covered by about 70% water. In our human bodies we are made up of approximately 60% water. Our bodies and beings are unified with the water that surrounds us every day.

Notice how water sustains you in your daily life. Look around you. Maybe a pond is nearby. Maybe there is water coming out of your kitchen tap. Notice all the water that surrounds you. Then connect it to how it is sustaining you.

Water and the Five Senses

This is why getting out in nature and listening to a rippling brook or the sound of the surf can be so comforting, soothing and restorative. It is why the salt sea air or the mist from a waterfall can feel so wonderful on the skin. The taste of salt can feel life-giving. Viewing the vastness of the ocean whether via pictures or the real thing connects us to the awesomeness of nature itself and how bountiful it can be. Simply smelling the sea air can have a very real restorative impact.

Water Element is the Healing Element

The water element is the element that heals us back to a balanced state of well-being. The chakra associated with water is the sacral chakra. The life-giving chakra. Integrating yoga poses such as butterfly, figure 4 and pigeon. Can all help to open up the natural healing elements within you.

Tonight's yoga nidra will focus on healing and well-being. So you will have the opportunity to explore all those soothing water elements in our journey this evening. I hope to see you there!

Resources & Further Reading

Newlyn, E. (2022). Journey Through the 5 Elements: Water.

Water Science School (2019), The Water in You: Water and the Human Body.