Living here in the southern alps of New Zealand, we're blessed with access to pure spring mountain water. It's generally a dry space in terms of rainfall but there's an abundance of water bodies above and below the ground, and plenty of places to swim when its not freezing cold! Some do swim when its freezing and the benefits of brief immersion in cold water are well documented. Apart from diving into large bodies of water, I enjoy playing with practices that help to balance the water element in the body, experience its purifying and life sustaining qualities.
Interestingly, in the ancient Vedas, water is said to have been the fourth of the five elements to come into existence in the creation or formation of the material universe, after ether, air and fire (in that order) and before earth. Along with water came the sense of taste; without saliva, no living creature can taste anything!
In our current yoga sessions, we're shifting our focus from the earth element to water, exploring its nature and impact from the perspectives of yoga, qigong, and Ayurveda. In these holistic practices, water is recognized as a vital element that plays a key role in maintaining balance and harmony in our bodies and minds.
In yoga, water is associated with the second chakra, Svadhisthana, which is located in the lower abdomen. This chakra is associated with the emotional body and represents the fluidity of our emotions and creativity. When the water element is in balance, we experience a sense of emotional well-being and creativity flows freely. However, when this element is out of balance, we may feel stuck or blocked in our emotions and creativity may be stifled. Hip openers are a good way to free up blockages in the pelvic region, and this variation on reverse-side-angle feels great on the sacrum and glute medius
Here are some of the things that the 2nd chakra Svadhisthana can support in us when its balanced!
Unlocking creativity; going with the flow; releasing rigid thoughts or ideals; letting go of old emotional stories; releasing grief, fear, or rage that is stuck in your cell tissue; allowing happiness and joy into your life; letting go of compulsive behavior; healing loving relationships; understanding and cultivating healthy boundaries; merging into the flow of something greater than yourself.
So when you're doing practices that help balance this energy centre, why not set any of those as your intention, if it feels like something you could use.
In Qigong, water is associated with the Kidney meridian, which is responsible for our vital energy, or Qi.
The Kidney meridian is said to be like a reservoir of water that nourishes and replenishes our energy levels.
When the water element is balanced in the Kidney meridian, we experience vitality and resilience. However, if this element is out of balance, we may feel tired, depleted, and even experience physical symptoms like back pain or urinary issues.
In Ayurveda, water is associated with the Kapha dosha, which represents the elements of earth and water. Kapha is responsible for the structure and lubrication of our bodies and is associated with qualities like stability, grounding, and nourishment. When the water element is balanced in the Kapha dosha, we experience a sense of ease and comfort in our bodies. However, when this element is out of balance, we may feel heavy, sluggish, or even experience congestion in our respiratory or digestive systems.
Fortunately, there are many practices we can incorporate into our daily routines to maintain balance and harmony with the water element. Yoga poses like Pigeon, reverse side angle (pictured below) or Cobra can help stimulate the Svadhisthana chakra and bring fluidity to our emotions. Qigong practices like the Bear Turns and Pushing Waves can help balance the Kidney meridian and replenish our vital energy. And Ayurvedic practices like dry brushing or nasal cleansing can help balance the Kapha dosha and promote healthy elimination.
Essential oils like clary sage, ylang-ylang, and jasmine can also be a powerful tool to balance the water element and stimulate the Svadhisthana chakra and promote emotional balance and creativity. These oils can be diffused, added to a warm bath, or massaged into the lower abdomen to help stimulate the water element and bring fluidity to our feelings, helping us shift stagnant emotions and transform the mode and direction of your thoughts.
Try this blend in your diffuser or diluted with a carrier oil for use on the skin -
2 drops wild orange
2 drops clary sage
2 drop ylang ylang or Jasmine
Remember to keep the specific properties and contraindications in mind for any oils you use, and also that the element of water is conspicuously absent form any essential oil but can be added via the use carrier of oils, like jojoba and coconut which are naturally moisturising. By adding these oils into our self-care routines, we can sweeten our connection to the water element and cultivate adaptability and creativity.
Water is a precious element that flows through our lives in countless ways.
From the soothing sound of raindrops on the window to the magical bio-chemical mixes that hydrate our cells and support oxygenation and metabolism, water has the power to cleanse and transform, to revive and guide.
Incorporating practices from Yoga, Qigong, and Ayurveda, we can maintain balance and harmony with the water element and how it manifests in our moods, ideas and creative flow.
Ultimately, our highest goal in balancing the energies in the body and mind could be to harness our focus and flow to explore the possibilities for self realisation, that is, coming into our purest self, full of never-ending love and truth. Now, that is a super sweet thing!
Get in touch to find out more about managing these basic yet subtle energies, and check out current yoga session times in Twizel here.Some do swim when its freezing and the benefits of brief immersion in cold water are well documented. Apart from diving into large bodies of water, I enjoy playing with practices that help to balance the water element in the body, experience its purifying and life sustaining qualities.
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