According to the centuries old  traditional Chinese medicine 5 element theory everything from the smallest atom, to an elephant and the entire solar system is comprised from the 5 elements - fire, earth, metal water and wood. 

Each of the elements correspond to certain body organs particular emotions, muscles, colour, sense, season, personality traits and more.

​

When the elements are working harmoniously together, we feel healthy and whole, however when one or more of these elements become over or under energised, which can happen for a myriad of reasons including stress, dietry, lack of sleep or hydration, toxins, chemicals etc. we feel some kind of unease in our body mind or spirit.

Here's an overview of the characteristics of the 5 elements.

​

Fire:

The fire element composes of the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium (protector of the heart) Triple burner. (Fight flight freeze)

This element allows us to express joy love passion and positivity.

When out of balance your moods may swing up and down as you protect yourself and close off your heart from hurt however this may lead to falling into sadness and loneliness which are traits of fire energy being depleted or out of balance.

Questions to ask:

Do you feel loving and giving to those around you? 

Are you equally able to give and receive compassion and love?

​

Practices in helping let down your guard and open your heart, relaxing a little of the fire, will help balacne this delicate energy system and concentration practices will help  bring the fire energy directed into the right channels.

Shen energy, the the wellspring of joy is housed in our heart meridian. 

When fire energy is balanced we feel and express joy for ourselves and others. acceptance self love harmony peace are all traits of balanced heart energy.

​

Our Small Intestine sorts liquids  and solids into useful nutrients or waste to be eliminated.

Energetically sorting the pure from the impure.  Energetically this translates to having mental clarity and ethical decision making understanding what's useful and what should be eliminated.

​

Earth:

The earth element organs are the Spleen and  Stomach plus the emotions of anxiety and worry.

The earth personality is always checking on others  to check their needs are met and that they are cared for.  If they missed out on that care from their parents or primary caregivers however they can continuously call for love and attention, even becoming needy and critical.

When your earth element is balanced you are grounded peaceful, supportive and a peacemaker. 

However without replenishment this element quickly falls into depletion and you may start to feel out of balance, overbearing, protective, needy or worry needlessly.

​

Questions to ask:

Do you worry needlessly?

Do you go beyond what is healthy to care for the needs of others?

​

The stomach and spleen digest and distribute nourishment to the body.

Spleen is connected with our lymphatic and immune systems, keeps our tissues, muscles and thoughts supple moist and adaptable.

​

Worry and overthinking are the main culprits of depleting spleen energy.

​

Once the stomach breaks down the food the spleen metabolises it into usable nutrition Qi then transports this to other organs and tissues in the body.

​

If out of balance we may find it difficult to think or remember, which can lead to frustration.

​

Solitude and slow flow or yin yoga are beneficial to replenish spleen energy.

​

Metal:

The organs of the metal element are the Lungs and Large Intestine.

The emotions of the lungs when they are weakened is grief and sadness.

 Emotions of grief and sadness and letting go.  The metal element gives us the gift of self esteem and self worth. If this element is out of balance we are unlikely to see the gifts of our being and our unique attributes.

 

If the metal element is over energised we can become overly strict and find it difficult to let go, we may need to soften our boundaries and allow others to get closer. 

 

Questions to ask:

Do you feel valuable wanted and needed?

Are you able to let go when needed?

Do you allow yourself to grieve when needed? 

​

Our physical lungs control breathing and distribute oxygen.

They take in Qi or life force energy into our bodies and process and filter what is no longer needed.Looking at your values, spring cleaning and journalling are all wonderful activities to balance the metal element.

The large intestine absorbs liquids and releases anything that is no longer needed. 

 

This is a beautiful reminder that in life we must take in and let go.

​

Water:

The water element organs are the Kidney and Bladder.  The emotion are fear and courage.

 When in balance the water element  amplifies our wisdom gentleness ease and flexibility. 

This element rules birth and life, the essence of Jing is stored in the kidneys. 

​

Kidneys filter and detoxify our bodys fluids. Fear, lethargy and lower back pain are common indicators of kidney depletion.

​

Questions to ask:

Do I wisely use the resources of my mind and body without depleting them?

Do I include periods of rest and relaxation in my life? 

Do I have parts in my day/week/month that are unstructured? 

​

Stress management and monitoring energy levels are practices to balance the water element.

​

Wood:

The wood element organs are the Liver and Gallbladder.  The emotions are anger, rage, wrath, frustration and irritation.

These emotions if cleared out alchemised and channelled wisely can lead to creativity.  

 

Liver stores blood and softens Qi so we don't become tense or restless.

Within the energy of liver lies the vision of our lives and the direction we take. 

The ability to feel supported when making decisions lies in the gallbladder.

Therefore indecisiveness and  being easily discouraged may be indicators of a weak or under-energised gallbladder. 

 

From the smooth flow of blood and Qi with our liver ability to digest food and emotions our Gallbladder  helps with all our critical decisions.

 

Questions to ask:

Are you able to balance your mood and energy?   

Can you make plans and decisions to further your goals and desires? 

When making decisions do you look at all options and gain perspective first? 

 

This element responds well to time off and meditation.  Let go of stress and stagnation.

​

​

These five elements all work together giving and taking energy from each other when needed, its an incredible dance as our mind body and spirit all work together to find harmony and health.

​

NRG Yoga is designed to help balance our 5 element systems allowing your body's innate wisdom to return to wholeness.

​