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The Sanskrit term mahabhuta refers to ‘great element’ and in Ayurvedic philosophy the 5 great elements are behind everything from our physiological makeup to our psychological responses. This is grounded in the understanding of being part of nature and subject to the laws of nature and the elements. Dr. Lad states that “According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the entire cosmos is an interplay of the energies of the five basic elements— Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth”. Connecting with these elements through sensing what is cold, hot, wet, dry, hard, soft, moving, still, open, closed may seem simplistic and it is. It’s so simple in fact that we might not even notice these elemental features in our daily lives. Ayurvedic practitioner, Sunil V. Joshi points out that “ we rarely give much consideration to the effects of akash or space on our lives unless we are on a very crowded elevator, and we tend to take for granted the relative stability of earth unless we are in an earthquake.” Ayurveda asks us to bring awareness to the reality of the elements and their ever-revolving permutations and interactions.
We are intuitively responding to these elements as the body is working towards an optimal state. We crave a hot tea when it’s cold out or are refreshed by the shade on a hot sunny day. This balanced state is different for each individual. Depending on predispositions, preferences and environment, the body can adapt itself in extraordinary ways.
Understanding the Elements
Information adapted from Lad, V. (2002).Textbook of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic Press.
To find the elemental qualities in your life, you could first start generally and consider the region you live in and what qualities/elements you would use to describe it. Is is cold, dry, wet, hot? Are you near water, mountains or a dessert? Are you in a big city (mobile)?
The same can be done for the season you are in at this time.
Spring - warm, moist, sweet
Summer - hot, sharp, light, oily
Fall - dry, cool, light, rough, subtle
Winter - cold, heavy, dense, slow, soft, oily
What elements would you use to describe the weather patterns today?
What elements describe your home environment.
How do the elements shift during the day?
Early Morning (6:00–10:00 AM) – Heavy, slow, moist, cool, steady
Late Morning to Early Afternoon (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) – Hot, sharp, intense, light, penetrating
Afternoon to Early Evening (2:00–6:00 PM) – Dry, light, cool, mobile, irregular
Evening (6:00–10:00 PM) – Heavy, slow, stable, cool, soft
Late Night (10:00 PM–2:00 AM) – Hot, sharp, transformative
Pre-Dawn (2:00–6:00 AM) –Dry, light, cold, mobile, subtle
What qualities were in the last meal you had? Dry and cold (crackers, chips, bread, raw veggies) Warm and wet (soup, stews) Heavy (sweets and fats)
Did it leave you with a feeling of lightness or heaviness?
Observe the elements through other bodily signals. Is there any tightness or mobile qualities in the body? Is there a sense of fluidity? Are you hot, cold or warm?
What qualities would you use to describe your emotions in this moment? Are you cool, fiery, stable, fluctuating?
What elements would you use to describe the breath right now. Does the breath feel open and soft? Does it feel heavy and tight?
What elements would you use to descibe mental qualities. Are you feeling sharp, dull, bright, or fluid? Are thoughts buzzing, firing, rigid, smooth?
Duality to maintain balance
As somatic educator Mary Ann Foster observes: “The body exists in a field of dualities, thus providing endless possibilities of elements to focus on.” When one muscle like the bicep contracts, its antagonist pair (tricep) will relax — a function governed by the nervous system to ensure skeletal health. This dual yin yang dance is constantly at play to ensure smooth functioning. Too much heat invites coolness — too much dryness invites moisture. Bodily systems work on this premise of balancing dual forces. To expel excess heat, the body secretes moisture which then evaporates and cools the surface of the skin and the blood which circulates right below it. The kidneys filter the blood and maintain the right amount of blood volume producing the hormone erythropoietin which stimulates the production of red blood cells when they detect low blood oxygen levels. This maintenance of balance through duality occurs without our conscious awareness in these examples. Ayurveda expands our awareness to understanding and appreciating natural tendencies so we can work with them and not against them.
Reflect: How much is too much? How little is too little?
What constitutes “too much” or “too little” of each element is deeply individual. This awareness becomes a practical guide for restoring and maintaining balance.Think back to a recent time when you felt alert, agile, and clear-headed. What conditions supported that state? Which qualities were present, and in what proportion? Reflecting on these moments can help you recognize the subtle shifts that move you toward or away from your optimal balance.
It is through finding the right balance of these elements, as they shift, change, increase, and decrease across time and environment, that we deepen our connection to the rhythms of nature. With this awareness, the individual is better able to move through life with intention, respecting these elements both within and in the world around them. This perspective is rooted in the principles of Ayurveda, which view balance as dynamic, responsive, and continuously evolving.
Sources
Foster, M. A. (2007) Somatic Patterning: How to improve posture and movement and ease pain. Educational Movement Systems Press.
Joshi, Sunil V. (1998). Ayurveda And Panchakarma: The Science of Healing and Rejuvenation. Motilal Banarsidass Publisher.
Lad, V. (2002). Textbook of ayurveda. Ayurvedic Press.