Why Incorporating the Five Elements in Your Yoga Practice Matters
While spring is just getting started in many areas, ancient calendars considered May 1st the start of the summer, so that the arrival of summer solstice in mid-to-late June marked the halfway seasonal point of midsummer. From an elemental point of view, this means we are already starting to slowly transition from the new growth of the Wood element and spring, into the early summer season of the Fire element, characterized by creativity, excitement, and manifestation.
As always, Asana Insights yoga lifestyle blog is here to help us understand this transition and apply the knowledge to our yoga practice and lifestyle. These ancient observances can guide our path of self discovery to a place of harmonious coexistence between our inner spirit and the world around us.
Yoga's inherently reflective nature, mindfulness practices, and physical awareness help us to awaken the spirit, mind, and body. Yoga teaches us first to unite these energies within ourselves, then opens a doorway of connection with something greater than ourselves. Applying Taoist wisdom provides insight and action as we look through that doorway.
Inviting the Universal Energy Flow into Yoga Practice with the Five Elements
When we can begin to see ourselves reflected in the patterns of nature, we start to understand how our own flow - from a yoga flow, to the flow of a breath, the flow of our emotions, and the flow of our lives - connects into the universal energy that unites all things. In seeing this more clearly, we can make choices that bring about greater harmony, peace, and radiance.
After all, first we must discover how the energy flows before we can recognize when we are "swimming upstream" or "going against the grain," as the expressions go!
For example, a yoga posture or meditation exercise may be difficult. Do we quit? Is it "not meant to be" or are we just experiencing the natural Wood phase of starting something new? Honestly sizing up our yoga practice, from beginner yoga students, to more advanced practitioners, to yoga teachers, with an added 5 Element viewpoint helps us to recognize the natural flow and where we exist within it. That knowledge empowers our choices, first in our yoga practice, where we can see tangible results fairly quickly with regular, dedicated practice, and then in our lifestyle decisions, fostering balance, unity, and radiance through the self-discovery of our true essence.
Yoga and the Seasonal Transition
A wider viewpoint of the year's energy shifts can help us to maximize the results of the energy flowing right now.
If spring season is about growth, exploration, observation, trying new things, brainstorming fresh ideas, and challenging our status quo, then summer's Fire energy brings passion to our new ideas, driving us forward. Earth element's entry in late summer prevents a fiery burnout of over excitement because we begin to shift from the upward and outward energies of spring and summer into the naturally downward and inward energies of fall and winter, the seasons of harvest and reflection, a time to let go of excess to create space for new growth again in spring.
With this in mind, here are a few questions we can ask ourselves in order to reveal what knowledge the Wood element revealed this spring and how to invite Fire's passion onto the yoga mat as summer slowly unfolds:
1. How has my yoga practice and lifestyle evolved during the Wood season of spring? What can I observe about my own growth, exploration, and potential during this time?
Reflecting on these observations can offer valuable insights into the ways in which our emotions, thoughts, and physical body mirror the natural order. We inherently know that we feel and move differently in different seasons. Take the time to foster a deliberate mindfulness to this inner wisdom. Doing so cultivates intuition and teaches us to hear and trust our inner voice.
2. How can I incorporate the growth and exploration of the Wood element into my yoga practice during the summer season of Fire?
This question invites us to reflect on the new beginnings and fresh ideas we explored during springtime's Wood energy and consider how we can carry that energy forward as we transition into summer's Fire element. Summer is a great time to set yoga goals because regular practice tends to wane as the days grow longer and summer activities take precedence. Having a tangible reason to unroll our yoga mats, in the form of a mindfully set goal, adds depth to a rushed practice and gratitude for time on the mat.
3. How can I nurture my Wood element inspiration from springtime to fuel the passion and creativity the Fire element to deepen my yoga practice?
This question provides perspective for our intentions on the mat. Experiencing growth (Wood) naturally leads to excitement (Fire). I always found that sharing my practice observations, questions, and yoga goals helped encourage growth and excitement not only for myself, but for my fellow yogis too. When we take time before and after class to connect with fellow yogis about the practice, everyone benefits. Spark up a yoga conversation with a yogi friend at your next class or leave a comment below!
By asking ourselves these questions, we can deepen our understanding of the five elements and their influence on our yoga practice and life as a whole through real experience. We can use this knowledge to guide our choices to foster greater harmony, balance, and radiance in all aspects of our being.
Invite More Harmony, Wisdom, and Radiance into Your Life...
I have intently nurtured my own personal Wood phase these last few weeks to sprout a comprehensive new program that will deepen your yoga experience, cultivate your own unique wisdom, and teach you how to apply the lessons learned in yoga class and beyond:
We are excited to announce this live in-person training!
Now accepting applications for a December 2023 - April 2024 training.
Please see the details here!
Certification News:
In addition to my current Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 and YACEP status, I'm excited to share that I was recently accepted as a Senior Teacher with the Yoga Alliance Professionals. This means that for our growing West Wind Yoga Retreat international yoga community joining us from the UK and across Europe, future programs will qualify for YAP certified yoga teachers to receive continuing education credits too.
Teaching yoga is always an honor. Developing more ways to serve is a privilege. Thank you for your ongoing interest and support — this year I’ll celebrate 20 years of full time teaching!
Thanks for reading, sharing, and commenting. Until next week!
Namaste,
Lara
"I learned so much about yoga and myself in Lara’s 200 hour teacher training and working with her for 6 years at her yoga studio.
Lara’s unique teaching style and encouragement has helped me to grow and be more confident not only in my yoga practice but in all aspects of my life.
Learning her meditation techniques has greatly improved my anxiety and also decreased my blood pressure.
Lara is an exceptional teacher and person, and these qualities are reflected in the yoga community she created in Scranton and in each individual that has been inspired by her in her classes, workshops and meditations."
— Marlena Rumensky
Comments