#53 - Finding our balance
This blog was inspired by the theme of a yoga retreat I went to in August where we explored each of the natural elements and how they influence the way we are. I am currently on a mission to find more balance in my life so found exploring this in the context of the elements though-provoking. The elements have been used throughout history in various forms to describe human physiology and what makes us tick - they play a role in horoscopes and Chinese medicine and ancient Indian practices such as Ayurveda so there must be something in it!
Of course there is no such thing as a perfectly balanced person (which would be very dull indeed) but if we are more conscious of the areas we are either neglecting or over-doing, we can take steps in the right direction.
EARTH
The Earth element represents stability and feeling grounded. Mother Earth is the personification of nature as nurturing and life-giving so is very linked to our feeling of contentment. This is about finding our safe space and having a sense of belonging, being able to recognise the boundaries that give us comfort. We all want to build ourselves a cosy nest where we can feel at home. Often, our ability to lay down roots can be very influenced by the environment we grew up in - it can be hard to know what settled feels like if you have never experienced it. But we can take control of what makes use feel most secure as adults.
Too little = can find it difficult to feel settled and as a result may feel a bit lost
Too much = can create too many boundaries and risk missing out on opportunities
WATER
Humans are made up of around 60% water so it is no surprise that this is an important element for us. Think about how water fluctuates and behaves - sometimes calm and controlled, sometimes choppy and turbulent - it’s a bit like life. Water represents our ability to go with the flow and take unexpected ripples in our stride. It is also about showing our emotions - taken literally, tears of both sadness and joy are our feelings manifested as water. How open are we to embracing adventure, doing new things and being spontaneous?
Too little = may find it difficult to cope with change and to suppress how you are feeling.
Too much = can struggle with commitment or be taken advantage of
FIRE
Fire symbolises passion and strength and so is related to our ability to focus on our goals and our personal growth. Fire is also associated with self-transformation like a phoenix rising from the flames, striving to become the person that we want to be. If you have fire in your belly, you are motivated and have a strong determination to succeed. Fire can be the catalyst for energy and dynamism, but it can also be destructive if we don’t know how to manage it.
Too little = may struggle to really ‘go for it’ (whatever the IT may be!)
Too much = risk burn out as you struggle to relax
AIR
The air element is linked to breath and freedom. Understanding that we can’t control everything and letting go. Just as the wind is a powerful force in nature, air is our life source which is why the quality of our breathing is directly linked to our wellbeing. Air is also linked to the heart (as it pumps the blood that feeds our bodies with oxygen) and so to love - our ability to give love and to receive it from others. For this reason, it is also linked to our willingness to forgive and to take more risks in relationships.
Too little = can fail to connect deeply to others and open up
Too much = can be people pleasers who loses a sense of your own worth
ETHER
Ether, also sometimes referred to Space in this context, is the least tangible of the elements and that is why it represents the abstract and the non-tangible. This is about our sense of awareness of how we fit, our intuition and the things that may us who we are and how we express ourselves. This could relate to spirituality but it is also very much about our authenticity - how we communicate, not just listen but really hear.
Too little = may find it difficult to express themselves and to be authentic
Too much = talk too much and over-communicate
Why balance is important
BALANCE in all it’s forms is important for us. Improving our physical balance can improve our body’s ability to control itself during challenging tasks. Maintaining good work / life balance or a good balance in our diet and the way we keep active is good for our health. And finding overall balance in the way we live our lives is fundamentally good for our wellbeing. I think this may be a life-long journey for me but at least I recognise the areas that I need to focus on.
