Especially in these turbulent times, it helps us to reflect on the elements that protect and strengthen us, that provide nourishment and energy. With four posts on the yoga of the elements of earth, water, fire, and air, our blogger Sandra Buchwald offers you valuable tools for a healthy and wonderful 2023.
This article describes the yoga of the earth.
How to put down roots again
A virus that's traveling around the world. War on our own continent. Climate change as an omnipresent threat. It's really no wonder that 2022 has affected us so much. There are a whole host of expressions for this: For some, it's "pulled the rug out from under us." Others have "lost their composure." And some describe themselves as having "lost their footing" over the past year.
The good news at the start of the year: Yoga is also your faithful companion throughout the year when it comes to regaining stability and establishing roots in the new year. This article shows you how you can use the yoga of the earth element to your advantage.
The element earth: stability through good roots
Perhaps you've heard the saying that without roots you have no wings? It means that everything we do should have a solid foundation. Of the four classic elements, the earth offers us the space to establish roots that give us security, trust, and self-confidence. There's even a perfectly fitting word for this: we ground ourselves! Earth yoga is a valuable way to do this.
This yoga practice roots you
You're surely familiar with the classic of all grounding yoga exercises. It's Shavasana (also known as Savasana) – the corpse pose. As an integral part of most yoga classes, you assume this pose for final relaxation after the practice. Shavasana is usually used for restorative idleness. However, in this pose, you can also become aware of how we are all carried, protected, and nourished by the earth.
Typical asanas that Earth Yoga encompasses are, of course, the tree poses (Vrksasana). It doesn't matter whether you place your foot at the ankle, the knee, or the inner thigh of your standing leg—enjoy the feeling of your leg being secured by the earth like a firmly rooted tree trunk, balancing any sway or wobble.
Are you in the mood to practice even more grounding asanas? The more static yoga of Earth offers a rich menu. These include the stable and powerful Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana), the Mountain Pose (Tadasana), and the Chair Pose (Utkatasana). These exercises will teach you that nothing can easily knock you down.
Yoga of the Earth: additional extras
Like trees and plants, you draw your strength from the earth. You can preserve this energy by practicing Mulabandha, the root lock. Proper breathing should also accompany grounding yoga—and, of course, your everyday life: Calm abdominal breathing instead of chest breathing offers valuable support.
Grounding - through which yoga style?
If you want to practice Earth Yoga, you basically have two options. Of course, you can complement any yoga style you enjoy with elements of grounding yoga. However, if Earth Yoga is very important to you, there are two yoga styles that are particularly recommended.
Hatha Yoga is the classic among yoga styles—and perhaps it was even your introduction when you first started practicing yoga? With its static postures, the Hatha style is perfect for enjoying both grounding and strengthening. Whether cobra or warrior, dog or tree pose—every asana uses the earth as its anchor.
Yin Yoga is a very gentle style of yoga that primarily stretches the shortened fascia of your body. The stretches in these asanas are held for a particularly long time. Usually lying down or sitting, you assume the beneficial postures, supporting them as needed by making the position more comfortable with blankets, bolsters, or blocks. This is important because you should relax so much in these stretching asanas that you can truly let go. Letting go, in this context, means placing your complete trust in the earth that supports you.
Good to know: Both Hatha Yoga and Yin Yoga are ideal styles for beginners. So, if you want to help a loved one start the new year feeling grounded, it's a great idea to practice some asanas from the Hatha or Yin yoga styles together.
Activating the root chakra
If you've been practicing yoga for a while, you may know that yoga also stimulates our body's energy centers. Depending on the asana, as well as pranayama or meditation, different chakras are addressed. Earth yoga is closely linked to the root chakra (Muladhara). Located at the base of your torso, it can establish direct contact with the earth in any sitting position. By concentrating on the energy encompassed by this chakra, you support the rootedness that Earth yoga brings.
Ground yourself through good nutrition
In Ayurveda, the earth element is associated with the Kapha dosha. A diet that corresponds to this type perfectly complements your individual earth yoga. You'll probably guess that the perfect menu actually grows in the earth, meaning it includes roots, tubers, or seeds. Typical examples of how to optimally structure your menu are potatoes, beets, and okra, amaranth and millet, bran, and quinoa. Grounding spices include nutmeg, coriander, and parsley. Among the fruits, you should try berries—especially blueberries and strawberries. Healthy snacking? Enjoy the great taste of pumpkin seeds or snack on delicious dried fruit!
Many yoginis and yogis love tea. Of course, there are also teas that are ideal for Earth Yoga. The spices in chai tea may be especially beneficial for you. Classic chamomile and fennel are also suitable teas. If you're anxious or having trouble sleeping, try lavender tea.
Meditation also creates roots
