EARTH

Some Earth Element Basics

Representation in the physical body: The hard structures of the body, your bones and teeth, your muscle tissue, hair and nails, and your fat deposits

Characteristics: Dense, Static, Slow, Tangible (the material world)

Associated Sense: Smell

Associated Chakra: Root, Colour: Red

Yoga Poses: Mountain, Warrior II, Triangle, Tree, Garland, Seated Forward Fold

Affirmations: I Am Safe, I Am Grounded, The Earth supports me and meets my needs

Feng Shui (spaces): Earthy tones (browns, warm yellows, beige), natural materials (wood, clay, stone), square and rectangle shapes, plants and crystals, open and uncluttered spaces.

Explore

READ Ayurveda 101: The Nature of Earth

READ Journey through the 5 elements: Earth

READ Walking meditation: what it is, how to do it, and why

READ Ways to Heal your Earth Element

PRACTICE Grounded (a short Hatha yoga practice - 22 mins)

MEDITATE I Am Connected while standing in mountain pose (Tadasana) or seated

Reflect + Journal

  • Imagine yourself in a favourite spot out in nature. Where are you? How does the Earth feel under your feet? What is the texture and the temperature of the earth you’re standing on? How do you feel in your body? What kind of thoughts are coming to your mind? How does your heart feel here? Spend some time in your imagination and then journal about the experience.

  • Bring your awareness to your sense of smell this week. Notice if your sense of smell is strong or weak, what scents you like and don’t like and why? Was it easy to engage your sense of smell or did you have to remind yourself to stay connected to it?

  • Bring your awareness to your eating habits this week. How does the food you eat make you feel?

  • Reflect on your relationship to the feeling of Grounding? Does it come naturally to you, or does it require effort?

  • When you feel grounded and/or safe, where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with?

  • When you feel scattered and/or unsafe, where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with?

  • Examine your livings space, does it support your feeling of grounding? Why or why not?

Practice

  • Start your day in Mountain (1-3 minutes) with Sama Vritti breath (breathe of equal duration), stay focused on your feet + breath.

  • Practice the short Hatha yoga sequence above 2-3x this week (daily if you can).

  • Practice walking or seated meditation 2-3x this week (daily if you can).

  • Keep your sense of Smell engaged this week, take note of what you notice.

  • If accessible to you, take yourself out to somewhere in nature. Connect to the Earth (barefoot if possible), stand in mountain or take a walking meditation.