AIR’S BASIC CHARACTERISTICS
Air is the wind and is associated with movement. Located in the
heart chakra, air reflects our lightness and ease of movement. Like
the wind, air is pervasive and only perceptible when it moves. Like
the wind, air is changeable. On a still day we feel listless and
heavy, while on a windy day we feel refreshed and enlivened. Air is
the medium for carrying things. Externally it carries seeds, birds,
sounds, while internally it carries energy and motion. The air
element is associated with the East – manifestation, dawning of the
day, new beginnings and things coming into being. Air is movement
and life!
In essence, Air is the movement of
all things within the space of Ether. A person who feels that they
have to rush around all the time, have to move quickly, has their
air out of balance. Air in balance allows free and relaxed motion, a
sense of ease and flow.
AIR AND MOVEMENT
Air is associated with the five forms
of movement in the body. Speed reflects air in air. A person who
can’t slow down, or one who can’t speed up, or is scattered reflects
air in air imbalance. Stretching is ether in air. One may “stretch”
either physically or mentally! Shaking is fire in air. Trembling,
uncertainty, indecisiveness indicate a need for grounding. Flowing
reflects water in air. A sense of all movement flowing, all words in
rhythm and harmony, a mental flow. Contracting is earth in air. Too
much earth may manifest as a tightening, a closing off on every
level.
AIR AND THE BODY
Air has its positive pole in the shoulders, ruled by Gemini, its
neutral pole in the kidneys and adrenals, ruled by Libra, and its
negative pole in the calves and ankles, ruled by Aquarius. The
shoulders have been called the “wings of life”. When the shoulders
are rigid and tight, the air element is congested in its positive
pole, not flowing downward. Air also governs three major body
systems – the respiratory system, the nervous system and the
circulatory system. In my practice of Polarity Therapy, Air is the
most common element to be out of balance. We stop “circulating”.
Stress stimulates the adrenals and simultaneously tenses the
shoulders. Our energy becomes locked in the upper body and we are
unable to ground and flow.
AIR AND DIS-EASE
The medical
profession currently diagnoses a disease by placing a label on a
complex set of physical signs and symptoms. This label
“encapsulates” the problem and places it in a category in which
mechanical and chemical means may be used to resolve the problem.
Polarity Therapy recognizes areas of dis-ease, areas where energy is
not flowing smoothly. Dr. Stone stated “Causes are always in the
Energy Field, never in Matter”. Lack of flow in the energy field may
well invite dis-ease, however, it is a simple matter to encourage
the energy to return to its natural, healthy state of flow. With
this in mind, I now list potential dis-ease associated with the Air
element.
Problems in the following areas may indicate an imbalance of the Air
energies.
·
Shallow breathing
·
Tension in the chest, locked
scapulae (shoulder blades)
·
Heart problems
·
Shoulder and/or arm problems
·
All nervous system problems
·
Gas in the abdominal area
(flatulence and bloating)
·
Pain, especially headaches, neck
pain, and muscle spasm
·
Exhaustion
·
Arms feel numb
·
Radiating pain (neuralgias)
BALANCING AIR
The Air element is associated with the negative (receiving) energy
of the index finger and second toe. A very simple way to encourage
the flow of air is to massage these digits. A friend of mind was
experiencing some of the dis-ease listed above and called me on the
phone. I asked her to check out her second toe on both feet. “Wow”
she said when she returned to the phone. “My right second toe is
flexible, but my left is like concrete – its really solid!” Needless
to say, she was experiencing most of her dis-ease on the left side
of her body. She began a diligent program of toe massage and the
symptoms cleared. Dr. Stone insisted that the sign of healthy air
flow was the ability to “pop” your second toe. (ie. Pull gently on
your toe and hear/feel the pop of joints releasing).
An
excellent exercise to mobilize the flow of air in the shoulder area
is called the Cliffhanger. Stand with your back to a sturdy table,
countertop, or back of a chair. Place the heels of your hands
slightly behind you on the supporting surface. Now gently slide your
bottom straight down towards the floor, allowing your hands to
receive the weight of your body. Feel your shoulder blades
stretching and moving closer together. Maintain this position
without strain for several seconds, then slowly stand up. This
exercise is great to do hourly if you work at a desk or computer.
Air Energy is also balanced by reminders in our environment of our
connection to the Air. Unique gifts in this section of our website
that have been specially selected to help enhance your Air Energy
include:
-
Essential Oils and
Essential oils,plus diffusers & misters that make unique gifts of natural healing.
-
Feng Shui Bells and Chimes , Mobiles, Tiny Treasures Pewter & Stained Glass Chimes, Space Clearing Bells & More.
-
Combine all natural aromatherapy
healing balms with Shiatsu and Reflexology to invite well being into your life.
-
Use these unique roll-on
Intention oils to call money, love, protection and more to you today!
-
Hand made rustic
noah bells from India with melodic and echoing tones make unique gifts.
-
Tibetan Prayer Flags, Tibetan Prayer Wheels, Sandalwood & Chakra Malas
SUMMARY
Balanced Air allows you to open up the heart chakra and flow with
the universal force of Love in your life. With shoulders relaxed,
breath deep, and heart open, you can meet any circumstance with
flexibility. Change occurs. It really does! When we meet change with
resistance and fear, we contract and temporarily lose this wonderful
movement of air. Relax and greet the winds of change in your life.
They are bringing you movement and growth.
©
2010 Jill N. Henry, Ed.D. PT, APP
all rights reserved
REFERENCES
Henry, Jill (2004)
Energy SourceBook - The Fundamentals of Personal Energy.
Llewellyn Worldwide Publishers
Beaulieu,
John (1994) Polarity Therapy Workbook. BioSonic Enterprises,
Ltd. New York, New York.
Campbell,
Morag (1995) Quinta Essentia: The Five Elements. Masterworks,
Devon, England.
Stone,
Randolph (1986) Polarity Therapy, Volume One, Two and Health
Building. CRCS Publications, Sebastopol, CA.
And special
thanks to my Polarity Teacher, Angela Plum, PhD, RPP, Academy of
Natural Therapies, Marshall, NC
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