Incorporating the 5 Elements into a Preteen Yoga Practice

  The 5 elements, EARTH, WATER, FIRE, AIR AND ETHER (SPACE), are found in all aspects of life and in all things. Our connection to these elements becomes evident as we deepen our individual yoga practice. We learn more about ourselves, find balance, strength and better health.  These are goals that preteen girls are beginning to become aware of.  In my recent yoga classes for middle-schoolers we explored the 5 Elements and incorporated them into our yoga practice to learn to connect more with ourselves and those around us.

 We considered each element separately, and how each one related to our senses; how the element made us feel.  Our discussion then included what the element is associated with, it’s qualities, and asanas that support the element during yoga practice. To introduce each element and center ourselves for our practice, I began with a brief meditation.  Yoga Exercises for Teens by Helen Purperhart includes short visualizations for each element in the section “The Language of Elements”, pp 89-104.  Each yoga class was accompanied by music that supported and enhanced connections with each element .

The EARTH element

• located at the base of the spine, the root chakra
• represents stability, safety and confidence
• expresses as hard, cool, heavy and dense
• also visualized in our discussion as softer, more tranquil, as in a forest
• grounding Yoga poses connect you to the Earth element, for example:         

1. Downward Facing Dog         
2. Warrior l and Warrior ll         
3. Eagle
4. Bound Angle

• my playlist includes songs with a beat, such as “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, “Africa” by Toto and “Rhythm of the Saints” by Paul Simon.

The WATER element

• located in the lower abdomen, the sacral chakra, the area where new life is generated
• referred to as the universal symbol of the soul 
• cools, moistens, soothes, and flows, bringing nutrients to our cells and carrying toxins away  
• to connect with the element water, practice yoga postures in a flow (Vinyasa), one asana fluidly  moving into the next
• my playlist includes music that soothes and flows, such as “Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major” by Camille Berthollet et al, “Caribbean Blue” by Enya, and “Bathe in These Waters” by Donna De Lory

The FIRE element

• located deep within the abdomen, the 3^rdchakra
• the element of transformation; the part of nature that can transform one substance into another, (ice into water, water to steam).  
• associated with heat, power, strength, transformation, passion and intensity.
• to increase fire during yoga practice, thus increase your energy and mood:

1.        increase the length of time you hold each pose       
2.         create internal heat, and increase your flow through poses (Vinyasa).
3.        focus on poses that strengthen your core

•                             Boat
•                             Plank        
•                             Side Plank
•                             Dolphin
•                             Locust
•                             Downward Dog Splits

• my playlist includes music with energy, such as “Stronger” by Jeremy Jordan,   Shayna Steele and Nils Lofgren and “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

 The Element AIR

• contained in the chest and lungs, the 4^thchakra, and is embodied in the breath. 
• also referred to as the wind element, expressed as movement. 
• qualities of air and wind: cold, movement, spirit, wings, wild, powerful, whisper, inspirational.  
• to connect with Air include vinyasa flow (movement),  and chest opening poses:

1.  Camel
2.  Side Plank
3.  Cobra
4. Wide-Legged Forward Fold with Twist
5.  Revolved Chair
6.  Supported Bridge

• my playlist includes light music of air, wings and of the breath such as “Beau Soir, L.6” by Steve Anderson, “Walking in the Air” by Chloe Agnew and “Wings” by Niklas Aman

SPACE (ETHER) 

• associated with the throat chakra
• the lightest, most subtle element  
• associated with spirituality, intuition, connection, freedom, stillness, openness, expansiveness, consciousness and truth.
• it is everywhere, a part of all elements, without form or boundaries, it has no limits  
• the space between your breaths, the space that is created in your body while transitioning in and out of a pose, the space between your thoughts, and the physical space you are practicing in
• poses that open the throat chakra help to balance the space element:

1.  Camel      
2.  Fish pose
3.  Waterfall pose

•  learn and use Ujjayi breath
•  practice any Meditation.

The 5 elements, EARTH, WATER, FIRE, AIR and SPACE (ETHER), are the essence of the entire world, both inside of you and outside.  Exploring them and developing a connection with them in your yoga practice will help you expand and harmonize your relationship with all things, including yourself.