I was inspired to write about this element because of an experience I had with a very good friend of mine on the beach while she was busy teaching me yoga. After much debate and a “light bulb moment” I realized that as the waves of the ocean washed ashore so rhythmically, it was the earth’s way of breathing.
The nature spirits of Air are called sylphs. The sylphs find disturbances in the air currents and quickly work to restore harmony. Their activities are manifest in the gathering of clouds and in the blowing of the wind. On a personal level I believe the forming of clouds in the sky is the earth’s way of daydreaming. The sylphs are sources of light that produce inspiration and feed the mind. They are drawn to those who use their minds, particularly those on creative arts. It is generally thought that they are attracted to poets and artists and instills them with visions of spiritual beauty. Sylphs startle us into seeing and thinking in new and exciting ways.
From a physics point of view heat from the sun is unevenly distributed, differences in air pressure arise on the planet. Air can’t abide this, so it rushes around trying to equalize things everywhere. Wind is simply the air’s way of trying to keep things in balance
It’s interesting that the first thing we do when we come out of the womb is breathe – and it is the last thing we do before we die. Breath can bring life or end it. We cannot live without it. It is the connection between life and death.
Yogic lore believes that we are given a certain number of breaths when we are born – and by practicing breath work, we lengthen our lives.
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