Earth, water, fire, and air are important elements for our health and well-being. The start of the new year is ideal for incorporating these elements into your yoga practice. Our yoga blogger Sandra Buchwald provides valuable ideas.
This article describes the yoga of water.
The year 2022 has held many of us back. Fears, worries, and the flood of bad news in the media have disrupted our normal rhythms. "Things aren't working right anymore." This is how many people describe how the pandemic, along with environmental problems and the energy crisis, has made our entire lives seem bumpy and full of obstacles. Daily life, work, relationships—the effects of the past year have impacted every facet of our being.
The good news for you: Yoga offers an effective tool for dissolving these blockages. This article describes how you can draw new energy through the yoga of the element of water.
The element of water: Everything in flux
Our planet is largely made up of water. Our bodies are too. Our blood is about 90 percent water. But digestion, metabolism, the lymphatic system, and joints also need fluids to function properly. Observe which areas of your body need moisture. And how do your skin, eyes, or the inside of your nose feel when it lacks moisture? By drinking enough and practicing water yoga, you ensure that your body, mind, and soul are supple and free of blockages.
This yoga practice strengthens the water element
Of course, it's primarily the flowing movements that make water yoga so valuable. Movement promotes blood circulation and metabolic processes. A good example of this are the intervertebral discs, which act as important buffers between the individual vertebrae. Did you know that we are a few centimeters shorter in the evening than we are in the morning after getting up? The answer to the mystery: Standing and sitting during the day squeezes fluid out of the intervertebral discs. The good news: Through yoga, you improve the water content of the intervertebral discs and thus also their protective buffer function.
We bet you already know a flowing sequence of movements that supports your spine? It's Surya Namaskar, the Sun Salutation. Whether it's Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana), or the classic Forward Bend Pose (Uttanasana), the spine and many other parts of your body are moved and nourished by the Sun Salutation. You can complement this by practicing spinal twisting movements. These include the Seated Twist Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana), the Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), and, of course, the relaxing and soothing Crocodile Pose (Makarasana).
Water yoga naturally also takes into account our detoxifying lymphatic vessels and the meridians – the energy pathways in our body. The more blockages there are, the less these processes can flow. Therefore, stretching asanas are also valuable because they break down blockages and promote cleansing and detoxification. The hip, chest, and armpit areas are particularly important. Classic hip openers include Mandukasana, the Frog Pose, the perfect aquatic animal, or the Low Lunge, Anjaneyasana. A great opener for the armpits is the Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana) or, of course, Child's Pose (Balasana). Asanas that open the heart space include the Warrior Poses – especially the Sun Warrior (also known as the Peaceful Warrior).
Yoga of Water: a valuable addition
If we want to promote the invigorating and purifying water element and release blockages, flowing breathing is an essential foundation. Through pranayama, the targeted yogic breathing exercises, you recharge your life energy and create the flowing harmony we need to feel good and healthy. Mulabandha is the lock that holds the water energy in the body.
Flow and harmony – through which yoga styles?
The asana examples already show you that classical Hatha Yoga also supports the water element. This is especially true when the movements involve the torso area, as this also supports digestion and detoxification through organs such as the liver or kidneys. This is another reason why it's important to further promote these healing processes by drinking plenty of fluids.
If you appreciate the beneficial effects of flowing asanas, Vinyasa Yoga and Flow Yoga are ideal. The dynamic sequences of asanas improve fluid circulation and stimulate metabolism.
Yin yoga offers effective stretches that release blockages. It makes you supple and permeable. In Yin yoga, the idea of breathing into specific parts of the body is often used. These are usually the groin or armpits—areas through which the cleansing lymphatic system flows. You can also decongest these vessels—for example, by putting your feet up after a strenuous day at work.
Supporting the sacral chakra
Water yoga and opening the sacral chakra should be combined. The sacral chakra—the Svadhisthana chakra—is located in your lower abdomen, just below your belly button. By circling your hips or alternating between cat and cow poses, you activate this chakra, which is so important for well-being. Another great opening exercise is the reclining butterfly pose.
Supporting the Yoga of Water through Good Nutrition
In Ayurveda, the element water is associated with the two constitutional types, Pitta and Kapha. Both doshas share the commonality that the water element is primarily nourished by water-rich vegetables. These include, in particular, green and crunchy leafy vegetables, but also vitamin-rich broccoli and healthy artichokes. Beets are also ideal for a healthy diet. Among berries, blueberries are the perfect snack between meals. Among grains, quinoa and amaranth are particularly recommended.
Drinking plenty of fluids is essential if you want to support your individual water yoga. Mineral water—preferably still—is a good thirst quencher. Jasmine and calendula teas are good options, as are the classics rosehip and fennel—give them a try!
Harmony through meditation
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to benefit from the restorative effects of meditation. If the element of water is the theme of your meditation, you can enhance the meditative effect with a short imaginary journey. This way, you can imagine yourself being rocked, carried, and protected by the waves of the sea. Enjoy the gentle sound of the ocean and feel the refreshing water seeping through your pores, giving you the hydration you need. Be protected and well cared for. Namaste.
