Yin Yoga · Earth
How to welcome a higher sense of Groundedness and Belonging?
Spleen and Stomach — the meridians of nourishment, belonging and the late-summer return to ground.
Which energy pathways and organs are targeted when working on the Earth Element?
- Spleen
- Stomach
Which Yin Yoga sequence can help you balance the Earth Element?
- Reclining butterfly
- Happy baby
- Half saddle
- Dragon
- Sphinx variation with knee out to side
- Butterfly
- Reclining twist
- Final relaxation and meditation
Hold each pose for 3-5 minutes. Take a rebound (break) of 1-2 minutes between each pose. Rebound can be in child’s pose, savasana shape, or any other comfortable pose for you.
What are the benefits of having a well-nourished Earth Element?
- It helps us to develop a feeling of grounded-ness and belonging.
- A sense of being fully embodied, whole.
- Improve the balance in ourselves and our relationships.
What is the Earth Element affiliated with on an emotional level?
- The Earth Element is commonly affiliated with the worrying or rumination process.
- When our minds are busy over-thinking, it hinders us from being grounded and impairs harmony between the mind-body connection.
What is the Earth Element associated with on a physical level?
- The Spleen (not the same as the Western medical spleen) is related to the digestive system.
- A person with a poor digestive system usually cannot think clearly, hence the importance of a well-functioning Spleen.
What is the Earth Element affiliated with on a mental level?
- A person with a well-functioning Spleen tends to feel more centered and grounded.
- This enables us to reduce stress.
- It helps to keep life in perspective when it gets tough, and that can help maintain optimal physical health.
- Thinking is also endowed to the Earth Element; therefore, over-studying can result in a compromised Earth Element. As one of my TCM teachers says, studying drinks the blood.