Air Element and Spirituality

 

Photo Credit: Tint Yoga

Air Element and Spirituality

With its qualities of lightness, clarity and movement, the air element has been connected to gods, goddesses and deities for thousands of years. Vayu is the primary Hindu deity of winds and breath, said to have been ‘exceptionally beautiful’, riding through the sky ‘noisily’ on his shining chariot. As the ancients seem to have known, we may not be able to see air and wind, but they have a profound impact on the world around us, and are an invisible yet powerful force of nature.

Among the five basic elements – earth, fire, water, air, and ether – which make us and everything in the universe, air is the most accessible and relatively the easiest element to gain reasonable mastery over. 

Within our own bodies, there are subtle energetic winds – known as the Vayus – that correspond to our physical and emotional actions. Yogic texts say that keeping these winds moving well is one of the keys to caring for ourselves. These movements of air include Udana Vayu: the upward-and-outward movements of speech, singing, exhaling, thinking, and vomiting; Prana Vayu: the movement of subtle life-force energy around the heart and lungs; Samana Vayu: the air energy governing digestion in the centre of the body; Vyana vayu, which pervades the whole body; and Apana Vayu, governing down-and-out energy like the ability to feel connected to the earth, elimination, and menstruation. The prana vayu is an inward movement between the pit of the throat and the navel.

The air element is directly linked to the heart chakra and the sense of touch. Often thought of as the place where the soul abides, the heart is a place we might consider our life energy to be held. As you’ll have read in the words above, the heart and chest are where Prana Vayu primarily circulates.

One can connect with the air element by tuning into the sensations of nature around us. This could be the warmth of the sun on our skin, the earth beneath our feet, or the wind on our skin. The next time we go out in nature – or on our balcony, or in our garden! – pause for a moment and tune in: Notice the feeling of the wind on our face or hands. Does it feel cold or warm? Is it gentle or forceful? Which direction is it coming from? These subtle cues are a wonderful way to become present and engaged with our surroundings instantly. 

An invisible yet important factor of feeling well and healthy at home, is the air quality in which we live. When we walk into a room, we’re affected by the colours, shapes and textures around us. But scent also plays a huge role when it comes to our emotions.

Air may not make sound itself, but without it, we wouldn’t be able to hear anything! Air carries the vibration of sound waves, allowing us to hear our favourite song or the voices of our friends. Close the eyes and notice the sounds one can hear. Millions of soundwaves around us – from the hum of the refrigerator, to the meow of our cat – are all being carried by air. When we walk in the park or through a forest, stop to listen to the sound of the wind moving through the trees. Pause and enjoy this completely natural soundscape.

Breathing is perhaps the most direct and intimate way we can connect to the air element. Try practicing a few minutes of simple Sama Vritti (equal breathing) before  getting out of bed in the morning. This practice involves gently breathing in and out for an even count, and observing the subtle sensations of life force energy moving through the body.