Earth Element: Getting Grounded and Strong

The five gross elements are parts of our consciousness that flow through us in physical ways. For example, fire shows up as anger and heat in our bodies. Water as tears. Earth is experienced in our bodies as heaviness and strength. This article explores the many ways to feel and experience the Earth element in our lives and bodies, through the various models yoga has given us.

In the Chakra System

In the ancient yogic scriptures called the Upanishads these elements are assigned to zones of the body. The Earth element, called Prithivi in sanskrit, is assigned to the region from the feet up to the knees, which are the closest to the actual Earth and are that which hold us on the Earth the most. In the Chakra system, the Earth element is most connected to the root chakra that is located around the pelvic floor, known as Muladhara. It is responsible for your sense of grounding, connection to the physical planet and your sense of inner stability. It processes our experiences related to survival, self-preservation and trust.

In the Kosha System

In the Kosha model of subtle anatomy our entire body is the Annamaya Kosha, meaning “Made of the Earth.” The Koshas are energetic coverings, or dimensions of our being, and the Annamaya Kosha-the body-is the very first covering. It is the most gross, physical layer. We can get in touch with this Kosha, our own Earth body, better through visualizations, yoga postures and pranayama breath techniques to name a few.

With Prana

The practices of yoga are known to encourage the usual movements of the winds of the body or reverse them. Prana, the life-force energy that animates all living things, is said to move around the body via a series of forces called “winds” or vayu. There are a number of vayus that assist in moving prana in different directions. Prana moveing upward towards the chest and head goes through the prana vayu, down toward the pelvic floor via the apana vayu, out to the extremities via the vyana vayu, around the digestive center via the samana vayu, and finally around the throat area via the uddana vayu.

Apana vayu, the downward and outward moving wind, is associated with the Earth element. Because of this downward moving Earth element, doing poses like hip openers and standing poses can increase the flow of Apana vayu. When this vayu is increased, especially with squats, it improves digestion and elimination, and helps to calm the nervous system.

In Ayurveda

The Earth element is also associated with Kapha Dosha in the Ayurvedic system of teachings. Ayurveda is the “Science of Life” and the oldest widely known medical system in the world, dating back to India over 3,000 years ago. The Doshas are based on the theory that people come from the elements and describe the temperments and constitutions of people as a mixture of the elements.

People who are Kapha Dosha dominant are a mixture of earth and water. This element shows up as slowness and heaviness in people. When imbalanced there is swelling, mucus and congestion in the body. It can show up as sadness or depression in the mind. For people who are Kapha dosha dominant faster, hotter yoga practices are better to balance the natural sluggishness they have. With intentional practice Kapha-based people can transform their sadness to compassion and peace

To find out your mixture of doshas you can see an Ayurveda practicioner. There are also a number of quizes online which can help you determine your dosha.

For more on the elements check out my other articles: Water, Air, Space, Fire