When the element Air is in balance, we have an open mind and an open heart. We are full of ideas and we feel free! Close your eyes and imagine you are completely open to everything that life has to offer. You embrace new opportunities and experiences with a resounding YES. You welcome new relationships and release the grip of fear—fear of getting hurt, fear of failure, fear of the unknown. This fear constricts our hearts and prevents our energy from flowing freely. How can we feel as liberated as the wind while also feeling grounded and safe? Read on to discover how we can integrate the element Air into our lives.
What Does Freedom Mean to You?
To feel open and free, it’s crucial to define what freedom means to you. Is it the ability to do whatever you want at any given moment? Is it the freedom to travel? Financial freedom? Freedom of speech? When you determine what freedom means to you, you can set a clear intention on how to incorporate it into your life. For me, freedom is the ability to choose the life I want to live. With a strong foundation, it becomes easier to say YES to new opportunities. Financial stability makes it easier to travel, physical strength makes it easier to try new experiences, and self-confidence makes it easier to start new relationships. However, a strong foundation can also hold us back. Comfort and attachment to our possessions can make it harder to move in a new direction.
Free Yourself from Cravings
What if the only thing holding us back is our own mind? Yoga philosophy encourages the practice of aparigraha—non-greed and non-attachment. As humans, it is in our nature to always want more. We think, “I will be happy when I have this,” but once we obtain it, we fear losing it and immediately desire the next best thing. Owning many possessions comes with physical and energetic baggage. You might recognise the feeling of lightness when you clean your house and give away things you don’t need. Letting go of unnecessary items can feel as good, or even better then acquiring new ones.
Letting Go of Fear of the Outcome
Fear of the outcome holds us back from starting something new. “What if I fail? What if I get hurt? What if it doesn’t work out as planned?” One of the central teachings in the Bhagavad Gita is: “Let your concern be with action alone, and never with the fruits of action. Do not let the results of action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.” This means we should focus on our actions in the present moment, not on the outcomes. Work and love without worrying about the outcome. Rely less on external possessions for happiness—this is where true freedom can be found.
An Open Mind and an Open Heart on Your Mat
On the yoga mat, we practice being completely present. In the present moment, there is no room for worrying about the outcome. Challenging poses keep us present; otherwise, we fall. Heart-opening poses energetically open our hearts, and the most accessible way to connect with the element of air is through our breath. In our yoga classes, we incorporate Pranayama practices. Pranayama is our life force energy, our breath. Although breathing is an automatic process, mindful breathing can transform our state of being. At Eden we teach techniques to help you become aware of your breath, using it to calm the mind and energize the body in daily situations. Read our guest blog: “A breathwork class, a lesson in letting go”.
How to Add the Element Air into Your Daily Life
The element Air represents movement. When we feel stuck, it’s time to add a little Air into our lives. What activities light you up? Eat light foods that are easy to digest. Go outside and fill your lungs with fresh air. Try something new. When in doubt, say YES for a change. The worst that can happen is you don’t like it, and you can move in another direction. “Let it be about the journey, not the destination.”
Our Journey to Inner Freedom
Were Remy and I completely free when we gave up all our possessions in The Netherlands and embarked on a journey? For a whole year, I could do anything I wanted without commitments. We traveled, explored, and checked off our bucket list, but I didn’t feel free until I let go of not having a plan for after our world trip. What if I don’t find something new? What if I need to return to my old job? What if we can’t find a place to settle?
The Turning Point
I don’t remember the exact turning point, but at some point, I could enjoy the present moment and be okay with not knowing what the future would bring. The truth is we never know what the future holds, even in a seemingly predictable life. True freedom comes from within. During our world trip, Remy and I completed our yoga teacher training, a key turning point in my life. Most students were traveling like us, and one reminded us to carry the freedom we felt in that moment wherever we go. That touched my heart, and the next day, I got a tattoo representing being as free as the wind. I felt a sense of lightness, joy, and loved the idea of infinite possibilities. I was grounded in the present moment and open to the future. The element Air was in balance. In our retreats, we would love to take you on a journey to your inner freedom! Book here