Space Element:

The final frontier…We finish off our dive into the elements with the one that holds, supports and is within all the others – Space. In Sanskrit, known as ‘Akasha’ – you many have heard of the ‘akashic records’. These are the recordings of all things known – memories if you will of everything that has ever existed in the Universe. Our element of ‘space’ – holds, literally the ‘space’ for these memories.

In our Universal Principles of Anusara we may relate Akasha with Open to Grace. Space is the place of the unmanifest becoming manifest. It is pregnant with potential – just like your own nature. Indeed, as you have discovered, each element resides within you. Space is your spirit; infinite, limitless. It is your own true nature shining forth in every pose, breath and action.

In the body, Space element is represented by the 5th Chakra – at the throat area. Sound is associated with Space and so this week we may use our voices in our practice. We will step into our authentic self and attempt to speak, seek and find the truth of our own nature.

The Space element is also associated with our auditory functions. I plan to decorate ‘auditory parts’ i.e. my ears with sparkly, shining gems – just for fun – join me! At Good Life Yoga we make every attempt to celebrate all there is in life. And this week, we celebrate and honor the element of Space – the final frontier with inversions and an invitation to embrace every space in our hearts, minds, and bodies.

Air Element

What feeds fire? Air. This week we explore the element of air that comes in the form of your breath with the capacity to expand and rise. Air is connected with your heart chakra and offers you the ability to find compassion for yourself and others. Think of air as penetrating and highly mobile. These capacities flow over and relate to your minds ability to be quick, and curious. Air touches the skin and this sensation of ‘touch’ is related to the air element.

Connected to your prana or life force, air flows within you as your breath and as one of our Universal Principles of Alignment it is aligned with Organic Energy. At Good Life Yoga this week, we explore this 4^th Element and look for ways to bring it into our awareness on and off the mat. Expect to find some challenging arm balances, backbends thought provoking inquiry and Pranayama (breathwork).

The Fire Element

This week we celebrate the element that is fire. It snaps, rises and creates beautiful forms of nature. Fire lives in the solar plexus and helps us to define who we are.

When we think of fire we think of transformation, warmth and tranquility. We also think of destruction and anger. There are always two sides to a sword. When we develop our ability to wield fire effectively we learn to embrace the fullness of ourselves, our capacity for transformation and our ability to focus intently.

In our yoga practice, fire this week takes the form of our outer spiral. When we assume our ability to draw into our core by hugging all sides evenly and drawing our tailbone toward earth, our solar plexus rises up. The center of ourselves comes into focus and our power, strength and capacity is realized. We will also incorporate a bit of heat, as fire is known to have and incorporate visual focus as a tool to help us maintain our sense of fullness; oneness with the fire element all around us.

Water Element

We are diving into the Water Element this week. Water offers us the remembrance of our own fluidity. It reminds us that we can go with the flow and be accommodating. Water seeks harmony by creating solutions to obstacles. It literally fills in the gaps and wends its way effortlessly around problems and sticky situations. It runs deep in many places and reminds us that there is always peace when we immerse ourselves in our own bright being.

In our practice this week we flow in our poses and using the principle of Inner Spiral we open the creative energy in the hips.