Yoga And The Tattvas (Natural Elements)

What are the Tattvas? How do they impact you and how can you use them to influence your practice *Warning this is quite detailed, if you would prefer to see a quick summary please scroll down.

More detailed descriptions of the TATTVAS vary according to which school of yogic philosophy you follow, for example in Samkhya philosophy there are 25 TATTVAS, in Shaivism there are 36, in Kundalini Yoga (which follows a Tantra based belief) there are 31 while in Buddhism there are even more. I am currently training to complete my Yoga Teacher Training in Kundalini Yoga and the information in the first part of this post mainly comes from my training, although I have looked into what other systems have said to try to be inclusive. If you have any more information to add from another school of philosophy I would love to know so please comment below or send me an email in the contact section.

YOGIC PHILOSOPHY Despite their differences  schools of yogic philosophy agree on several basic principles: that a TATTVA 'thatness', 'reality' or 'truth' is an element or aspect of reality and that our experience of existence is based on our perceptions of these different parts. TATTVAS are formed as universal consciousness, the ultimate Source, God (whatever your chosen term) begins to expand and and become manifest.  First it becomes vibration (the fundamental principle for existence whether in the form of light, sound or atomic structure) in the form sound, of the Naad or Om. From here there is a continued 'breaking down' of universal consciousness (which I will write a more detailed post about in the future) into different parts including the TATTVAS.

The GROSS TATTVAS we are looking at are: EARTH (PRITHVI), WATER (APAS), FIRE (TEJAS), AIR (VAYU) and ETHER (AKASHA). They are the densest manifestations of that Universal Consciousness we spoke of earlier.  They are part of PRAKRITI (natural force)  and everything in creation is made

up of a combination of these elements, or TATTVAS to some degree.

The 5 TATTVAS also work with the 3 principle types of behaviour, these are known as the GUNAS, (TAMAS: rigidity, laziness, heaviness and ignorance. RAJAS: activity, movement, restlessness and passion. SATTVA: harmony, light, purity and knowledge). Together the TATTVAS and the GUNAS govern and influence all forms of life physically and energetically, in the earthly realm and beyond. These elements are also used in Hermetic science and Chinese medicine to understand the world around us and help to bring things back to  balance.

Together the TATTVAS and the GUNAS govern and influence all forms of life physically and energetically, in the earthly realm and beyond

YOGA AND THE TATTVAS:

The densest TATTVA is Earth/Pritvi. It is pure TAMAS so it can express as dullness, unawareness, attachment also as greed. We are ruled by need and instinct and Earth is related to the ROOT CHAKRA and the sense of SMELL. Unsurprisingly PRITVI is the foundations of our physical structure (bones, skin, muscles etc). To bring our elements back into balance we can do this through our actions as well as our physical practice. Action: instead of being greedy to possess things why not be greedy to spread compassion or physically through exercises to stimulate our ROOT CHAKRA such as a yogic squat (Kundalini Crow Pose), Chair Pose, Kundalini Frogs and engaging Mulbandh.

The next TATTVA is Water/Apas. This is a combination of TAMAS and RAJAS energy so you may see a combination of forcefulness and strong personal power combined with dullness, attachment and lust. APAS is concerned with our sense of TASTE and physically presents in our bodily liquids such as blood, semen and gland secretions so we focus on our kidneys, sex glands and our lymphatic system. Energetically Water can be found in our SACRAL CHAKRA and again can be brought into balance through our actions and physical practice. If we change our attitude of lust and exploitation to respect and dignity we will be able to treat each other and the planet better. Some exercises or poses for this element include: Cobra Pose, Butterfly Pose, Cat-Cows and Pelvic Lifts.

Our third TATTVA is Fire/Agni. This fire is pure RAJAS so we experience passion, drive, determination and persona Will, there is also anger. AGNI is responsible digesting our food and for nourishing and developing the body, through our spleen , liver, pancreas and adrenals. In the same way fire gives light we find Fire in our SIGHT. The chakra associated with Fire is our SOLAR PLEXUS or 3rd chakra. To bring it into balance, instead of being angry at others, be angry at your own negative or destructive behaviour and let it inspire you towards personal growth. Some poses to include in your practice are: Bow Pose, Fish Pose, Breath of Fire (Kapalabhati) and Kundalini Stretch Pose.

Coming to Air/Vayu we experience RAJAS with SATTVA, so we take our self will and combine it to knowledge and we start to experience attachment. We sense Air through TOUCH. VAYU is unsurprisingly the vital force for Prana (lifeforce) in the body, it operates from the lungs, heart , thymus and cell producing glands in order to provide the circulation to keep our body healthy and happy. The seat of the energy for Air is our HEART CHAKRA, so instead of being attached to earthly possessions, be attached to everything around you, from the natural world to people. Remember you are part of a much larger existence. For your yoga practice try including Ego Eradicator, Childs Pose or any breathing exercises.

Lastly we have Ether/ Akasha, pure SATTVA energy. There is a lightness of being, happiness and a carefree attitude, although with that comes the risk of pride and negative ego. Associated with the THROAT CHAKRA, Ether is sensed through SOUND and controls our thyroid, parathyroid and tonsils in order to help mould our minds and to provide them with nourishment. To balance negative ego or excess pride, chose to identify with the infinite and have gratitude that you are, as a human, an expression of much larger consciousness. If you would like to practice some 5th chakra poses why not try: Shoulder Stand, Camel Pose, Neck Rolls and Chanting.

TATTVAS, GUNAS AND YOUR PRACTICE: A QUICK SUMMARY

TATTVAS AND AYURVEDA

Ayurdeva is the sister science to Yoga, so what does this ancient form of healing say about the TATTVAS? The information about the individual elements is the same, however the way they are used are different. Below is a very brief description of a very large, complex topic. In Ayurveda humans are divided into 3 categories or constitutions otherwise known as DOSHAS, we are usually a balance of all three but you may find that you have 1 or 2 DOSHAS that are more dominant. If your DOSHAS are in all in balance then you are happy and healthy. If however one of your DOSHAS is out of balance then you may experience the mental or physical consequence of that. The 3 types of DOSHA are: Kapha, Pitta and Vata.

KAPHA DOSHA:

Element: A mixture of Earth and Water, with a pre-dominance of WATER.

• Properties: Heavy, slow, cold, oily, dense, soft, static/stable, cloudy

• Features: Strong  frame, large features, thick hair, slower metabolism so gains weight easily,                          stable, compassionate, loyal, likes a routine

• Imbalanced: unmotivated, stubborn and complacent.

• Re-balance: exposure to new environments, people, warming foods and occasionally fasting

PITTA DOSHA:

Element: Water and fire, with a pre-dominance of FIRE.Properties: Oily, sharp, penetrating, hot, light, mobile, liquid.

• Features: Strong willed, intense, natural leaders, quick learners, strong digestion,                     medium build and gains muscle easily, skin goes red easily, acne prone

• Imbalanced: Judgemental, , irritable, impatient, can be grumpy if they miss a meal

• Re-balance: Maintain regular meals or snacks to regulate mood, cooling foods and breath work such as Sitali Pranayama (cooling breath)

VATA DOSHA:

Elements: AIR and ETHER.

• Properties: Dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear

• Features: Mentally and physically active, creative, love experiencing new people and places, flexible imaginative, naturally thin, cold hands and feet, dry skin

• Imbalanced: Flaky, can't commit to a project or stick to a routine, constipation

• Re-balance:  avoid caffeine and sugar, get regular sleep, avoid cold/raw foods and eat at regular times

To find out more about the DOSHAS and how they influence you personally I recommend taking a DOSHA quiz online.

TATTVAS AND ASTROLOGY (WESTERN)

As we all know in western Astrology there are 12 signs. These 12 then fit into one of 4 categories: Earth, Air, Water and Fire (there is no Ether). Similarly to how the elements behave in Yoga, their natural qualities define the characteristics of any particular sign. It is worth noting however that we are more than just our sun signs and there are other features in our natal charts that influence our behaviours.

EARTH SIGNS: TAURUS, VIRGO, CAPRICORN: Like our Root Chakra, Earth signs are grounded people. They are able to build stable foundations whether it is in relationships with people or projects. They may be slower but they get the job done, and usually pretty thoroughly. Like with the Yogic description Earth signs can be materialistic or greedy but if they can let others share their foundations everyone will benefit. WATER SIGNS: CANCER, SCORPIO, PISCES: Emotional, sensitive and intuitive. Security is important to water signs and they can run the risk of forming unhealthy behaviours to do so, but if they respect their true selves they can really flourish. Water signs can be mysterious and intense, open and loving.

FIRE SIGNS: ARIES, LEO, SAGITTARIUS: Passionate, dynamic and temperamental. Like our Yogic interpretation there is a drive to a fire sign, a sense of will and, like anger potential for destruction. But if properly cultivated fire can keep you warm and provide light in the darkness.

AIR SIGNS: GEMINI, LIBRA, AQUARIUS: Actions, ideas and motion. Just like our previous depiction of Air we have the will and drive from Rajas mixed with the knowledge and wisdom of Sattva. Air signs can be powerful and can bring a sense of change when needed but need to keep their heads out of the clouds.

If you visit websites like Cafe Astrology they will give you a full break down of your natal chart, from there you can see if you are predominant in an element or don't have enough. This allows you to better understand who you are and how you may aid your personal growth and journey. For example if a person lacks air signs in their chart they may struggle with communication which is a behaviour they would need to work on. You could then bring this knowledge to your yoga practice and work on opening your throat chakra and heart centre.

Phew, I know this has been a long post but I love the way that that simple, universal truths like the elements or TATTVAS impact our lives, who we are and that if we can just understand them better we can empower ourselves. I hope you have found this useful.