A lot of ancient philosophies around the globe classify the composition of the Universe into 5 elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether (Space). Knowledge of the five elements helps us understand the laws of nature.

Each of the five elements represents a state of matter in nature. Solid matter is classified as the “Earth” element. Water is everything that is liquid. Air is everything that is a gas. Fire is that part of Nature that transforms one state of matter into another. Ether is the mother of the other elements and is the basis of higher spiritual experiences.

The Elements in the Human Body

All of the creation is made up of the five elements in different proportions. The Human body is also the product of these 5 elements in different proportions. 72% water, 12% earth, 6% air, 4% fire and the rest is Ether. Usually, the percentages of first four elements remain constant but the percentage of Ether can be enhanced. Each element is responsible for different structures in the body. Earth forms solid structures such as teeth, nails, bones, muscles, skin, tissues, and hair. These give structure and strength to the body. Water forms saliva, urine, semen, blood, and sweat. Fire forms hunger, thirst, sleep, the vision in the eyes and complexion of skin. Air is responsible for all movement including expansion, contraction, vibration and suppression. Space is the most subtle of all elements and is present in the hollow cavities of the body in the form of radio frequencies, light radiation, cosmic rays etc.

The “Prana” (vital force) in the human body is also directly connected to these 5 elements. The Law of Nature demands these elements to be in balance.

Imbalance of the Elements is the CAUSE of DISEASES

The source of chronic (self-manifested) diseases is the impurity of any of the elements or if the elements are out of balance with another element in the body.

1. Imbalance of Water element: This is visible as excess mucus, cold, sinusitis, swelling of glands, edema of tissues, blood thinning or blood clotting.
2. Imbalance of Earth element: shows itself as general weakness in the body, loss of calcium from bones, obesity, cholesterol, weight loss and weight gain, muscular diseases etc.
3. Imbalance of Fire element: manifests itself as fever, skin diseases like inflammation, increased coldness or heat in body, excessive sweating, hyperacidity, slow digestion and absorption of nutrients, toxins in the body, diabetes etc.
4. Imbalance of Air element: leads to skin dryness, blood pressure problems, lung disorders, dry cough, bloating, constipation, lethargy, insomnia, muscular spasms, depression, etc.
5. Imbalance of Space element: is visible as Thyroid disorders, throat problems, speech disorders, epilepsy, madness, ear diseases, etc.

Yoga helps us purify these elements and restore balance and health. Cleansing techniques for the 5 elements are known as “Bhuta Shuddhi”. To unfold the inner powers and abilities contained in each element. Yoga also offers techniques to master all these elements – known as “Bhuta Siddhi”.

Read more on how Yoga helps purify and balance the 5 Element

NOW JUST THINK : YOUR BODY IS MADE UP OF FIVE ELEMENTS AND IF THE FIVE ELEMENTS ARE CONTAMINATED SO WILL YOU BODY . .THE BODY HAS TO WORK VERY HARD TO TRY AND STAY PURE ...THEN AGAIN YOU MESS UP THE BODY BY EATING JUNK FOOD, DRINKING ALCOHOL, SMOKING CIGARETTES, TAKING DRUGS PLUS A LOT MORE YOUR BODY IS PUT INTO HENCE SICKNESS AND SHORT LIFE FOLLOWS