Akasha: Space
Space is the first of five Vedic elements, which are the elemental forces of Nature described in the ancient Vedas. Everything we can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell is a combination of these 5 Vedic elements, the Pancha Maha Bhutas.
Akasha is the first element that came into existence. It is the container for all other elements.
The qualities of space are determined by what it lacks.
Space is cool in that it lacks warmth (like fire).
Space is light, in that it lacks heaviness (like earth and water).
Space is immobile, because it lacks a propulsive force (like air).
Space is subtle, in that it lacks an obvious, tangible presence of the other four elements.
Space is omnipresent, in that it infuses all the other elements. It is everywhere, holds everything, rejects nothing.
When the element of Space is acting harmoniously in us, we feel accepting of ourselves and others. One of my favorite Vasant Lad quotes is, “Space equals freedom and freedom equals love.”
When we cultivate the Space element in our yoga practice, we move toward the part of ourselves that is infinitely spacious, that which contains everything and rejects nothing: the eternal, loving Witness.
The second half of this week’s recording incorporates the element of Space through meditation and reflections in restorative postures. Akasha is a perfect element to cultivate during the Kapha season (late Winter, early Spring) which is dominated by Water and Earth, and deficient in Fire, Air, and Space.
Read below for more on the elemental approach to this week’s recording.
Here’s the link:
Spring Cleaning with Fire, Air, Space: 59 min. Vinyasa Flow & Yin/Gentle (suggested Spotify playlist is in the Vimeo description that you’ll see once you click the link.)
https://vimeo.com/700956052/1b1e9dc0bb
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Vayu: Wind!
Has anyone else noticed the extra WIND this Spring? The Vata part of me finds it unsettling. If someone out there knows why it’s been unusually breezy in Western North Carolina this season, I’d love to hear from you.
Those of you who are not Vata predominant might be loving all this windy weather. It’s a wonderful antidote for the heaviness of Kapha accumulation that can occur in cool, damp, early spring.
Vayu, the Air element, is the second of the 5 Vedic elements of Yoga and Ayurveda. A better translation of Vayu is “wind,” because it is prana in motion. Vayu facilitates all movements in us from the movement of food through the digestive tract to the movement of electrical impulses in our nervous system as well as the movement of thoughts through our minds.
When the Air/Wind element is diminished, we feel dull, sluggish, slow, depressed and lacking in vitality. Stimulating the Wind element in practice can put a spring back into our step. To cultivate Vayu in this week’s practice we'll mobilize stagnant prana from where it tends to hide out in the joints, do enlivening pranayama practices, and include movements that change direction like the wind.
Agni: Fire
The third element that is important to incorporate in a Spring Cleaning, Kapha balancing practice is fire! To stoke agni in this week’s practice we’ll build heat through quick movements, straight lines, and twists. We’ll also practice Agni Sara Dauti.
Agnisara Dhauti is one of Shatkarmas, or traditional cleansing practices in Hatha Yoga. It’s mentioned in several hatha yoga texts including the 18th century Gheranda Samhita.
Agni = Fire
Sara = Essence
Dhauti = to Wash
Agnisara Dhauti = a cleansing practice done to purify the fire element
Agnisara dhauti tones and cleanses the abdominal organs and digestive tract, the seat of fire element in the body. Note: Avoid agni sara if you have a hiatal hernia, are menstruating or pregnant, as well as if you have ulcers, cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure.
Be in touch if you have any questions about incorporating Space, Wind, and Fire into your yoga practice this Spring.
And, btw, I'd love to see you in the studio at Asheville Yoga Center:
July 8-10 Restorative Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation
Please join my good friend and colleague Gota Cebrero and I for this co-led weekend workshop. All are welcome! Register at https://www.youryoga.com/300-hour-tt/
Here's my in-person schedule:
Mondays in-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
4-5:15 Warm Gentle, Restorative, & Yin
5:30-6:45 Hot Vinyasa Flow & Yin
Wednesdays In-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
12-1:15 Hot Vinyasa Flow & Yin
with love,
Shala
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