Air

Air is the element of movement and change — the pulsating, creating and welcoming energy of life.

As we experience the first breaths of Spring, with it’s rain and sun and sometimes wind, we turn to the element of air. Air is the element of movement and change – the shifting, creating and welcoming that beckons the first buds and blossoms on the branches and the shoots of green bursting up from the ground

Ahhh . . .a sigh that comes from the belly is the primordial sound of Spring. Essential to life, air is the first breath in, the fertile start, the dawn of a new day with the first light of the sunrise. The air of Spring governs the ‘beginnings of things’ - with the growing light of the Spring Equinox, the onset of a girl’s first menstrual cycle, the hatching of baby chicks, the birthing of animals. Air is the wonder that life even exists, and the awe that such small beginnings create such growth. The energy of growth is woven into the air element, and it is associated with babies and childhood, the young maiden who with vitality creates the foundation for life. It is the creative spirit of life, of potential, of blossoming and flowering. It is unabashed joy bubbling up to the surface. 

According to Ayurveda, when the Consciousness of ether moves in a particular direction, it becomes air, vayu. Vayu is a subtle wind that keeps the body in motion. The air element is mobile, dry, light, cold, rough and subtle. It is associated with the skin and hands, attuning us to touch - both giving and receiving. Prana – the subtle essence of air - is the guiding intelligence inherent in the air element, the vital life force which produces all the movement within our cells and our bodies. Prana allows us to receive sensory stimuli and to respond to it with both voluntary and involuntary movements. Prana is the original breath, or the subtle intelligent force that draws our breath in, circulates it and releases it back to Mother Nature. 

Air also guides the paradox of the mind’s patterns of oscillation. Air allows us to both grasp and release a concept. It allows us to take in new information, absorb it, circulate it in the mind and spit it out in a new form.Nature is bursting in Spring, with the outside world showing off its color and as much beauty as it can contain. Everything is stepping into its power & purpose in this season, becoming the truest, brightest, most colorful expression of whatever it is meant to be. This seasonal energy supports you to do the same. This is the lesson Nature is teaching us this month: Step confidently into the fullest expression of WHO YOU ARE. Take a long loving look at air. Claim the wisdom of the element and bloom, unapologetically. 

We’ll gather this month to honor the start of Spring and to that which we are ready to breathe life into. We’ll practice breathing techniques and explore how the breath can be an ally for shifting old patterns, habits, and outdated ways to gently refresh the system and offer us a new beginning.

We’ll invite in the animals that call the air home, the winged friends that soar above. We’ll challenge ourselves to protect the air element from pollution of all kinds, and how we can improve the air in our own homes, literally and energetically.

We’ll explore self-care of the skin, providing cleansing and nourishment to this largest organ of the body that allows us to experience the air element.

And, we’ll take a closer look at how to calm and soothe Vata dosha (air + ether) with our daily routines, nourishing food and drink and a grounding movement practice that builds Prana.

~How are you honoring air this Spring?~

Eco-Activism Challenge

Air represents the movement in space, it holds the winged creatures and nourishes life with oxygen. This month we’ll challenge ourselves to protect the air we breath and support the birds that call the air home. Below are ideas you can try out and also various organizations that work to support air. We can support these organizations by joining a membership, signing up for emails, donating, and getting involved with their local chapter. Use the links below to see which one(s) you’d like to support and how you can become involved with their mission.

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The list below is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to share ideas to our Facebook group so that we can grow this list and this work.

1. Curb Air Pollution
   Transport yourself in ways that don’t pollute the air. Get walking, ride a bike, carpool, use public transportation when possible. Consider investing in a hybrid or electric vehicle if you are making a purchase. And if none of these are possible, honor, thank or be extra mindful of pedestrians or cyclists who are doing their part in contributing to healthier air.

2. Support NGO’s
   These organizations are taking air pollution into their own hands.
   ccair.org
   earthjustice.org

3. Support The Birds
   Save the Northern Spotted Owl! Current logging practices are threatening the lives of this endangered friend. Learn more about this bird and how to help save them here. Read about a win for the Snowy Plover bird and other shore birds here.

4. Plant a Tree
   These organizations are helping us do the needed work of reforesting this great planet. You can follow, donate or support them and or plant a new tree in your yard and anywhere else you can, ie: a neighbor’s yard, at a school, your place of work etc.
   onetreeplanted.org
   treesisters.org

5. House Plants for pure air
   Populate your home with plants that purify indoor air. The following plants are recommended: Ivy, Bamboo palm, Peace lily, Warneckei, Marginata, Mother-in-law’s tongue, Snake Plant. More at livelyroot.com.

6. Listen and Look for bird songs
   The next time you go outside, listen for the first bird sound you hear. Then, listen to see if there is another bird nearby who "matches" that sound Don't hear anything yet? That's okay. Keep trying! Hearing is passive, but listening is active. The brain takes time to "tune into" or pay attention to new sounds. It may take a few tries to help your (or your child's) auditory processing system in their brain develop an "importance category" for bird sounds. But, once it tunes in, it will be harder to tune it out! Learn more here.

~How will you honor and protect air this month?~