In both yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy, the earth element (Prithvi in Sanskrit) is seen as the foundation of all life.
It represents structure, support, stillness, and inner strength, the energy that holds us, both physically and spiritually. Earth is the soil beneath our feet and the bones within our body; it’s the steady presence that gives form and containment to all other elements. In yoga, this element is associated with balance, patience, discipline, and trust as well as the quiet, grounding force that allows us to feel safe, rooted, and at home in ourselves and in the world around us.
As we shift into Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, nature begins her own slow exhale. The trees release, the light softens, and the invitation to root and to come home to ourselves grows stronger. This seasonal transition mirrors our inner landscape, reminding us to slow down, draw our energy inward, and connect more deeply to what grounds us.
The Earth Element in Yoga
In yogic philosophy, the earth element is primarily associated with the Muladhara (Root) Chakra, located at the base of the spine. This energy centre governs our sense of safety, stability, and groundedness. Physically, it’s connected to the sit bones, legs, feet, glutes, and pelvic floor - the structures that anchor us to the earth and support our foundation. It also relates to the deep internal muscles that stabilise the pelvis and spine, offering a sense of inner security and strength. When we connect to this base, we awaken a powerful energy of grounded presence and belonging.
When we don’t feel rooted, we can often feel anxious, scattered, disconnected - signalling that this energetic chakra is out of balance. Our yoga practice can become a powerful tool to restore this connection, using movement, breath, and intention to bring us back to the earth beneath us.
Rooting Into Your Practice
To root is to feel a sense of inner strength, to pause and to feel. To arrive fully into the present moment - not by force, but by tuning in. Rooted practices are those that draw us downward, that ask us to listen closely to the body and its needs. Here are a few ways we can root into our practice this month:
🤎 On the days you want to slow down, choose grounding postures such as Malasana (yogi squat), Balasana (child’s pose), or standing shapes like Warrior II and Tadasana, where the feet are firmly connected to the earth.
🤎 Balance work, handstands and even splits can ignite a connection to earth, so there’s still a lot of fun to be had for those looking for a more creative way to connect with their Earth. For example, in an Earth Mandala flow, the focus is often actually on handstands, forward folds and splits.
🤎 Focus on postures and movements that deepen your connection to your foundations. Feeling the weight of your body supported by the earth can help invite a deeper sense of stability and trust.
🤎 Practise pranayama that soothes the nervous system, like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) or deep belly breathing.
🤎 Move slowly and mindfully, favouring intentional transitions and allowing pauses between postures to truly feel supported.
🤎 Visualise roots growing from your feet or your spine, anchoring you to the core of the earth. Let your breath nourish these roots.
Earth Energy Off the Mat
To be rooted is not to be rigid. It is to be anchored enough to bend, to shift, to grow, without losing your centre. Just like a tree, your roots give you the strength to rise. The teachings of the earth element extend far beyond your yoga mat.
When we honour this energy in our daily lives, we:
🌿 Set healthy boundaries and learn to say no without guilt.
🌿 Prioritise rest as essential, not optional.
🌿 Cultivate routines that nourish rather than deplete.
🌿 Stay connected to our values, making choices from a place of alignment.
🌿 Practice gratitude by noticing the small, steady blessings that hold us through change.
The Season of Slowing Down
As we move through Autumn, nature offers us a gentle reminder: slow down, turn inward, and root into what matters most. Autumn’s arrival marks a shift in pace - the sunlight softens, the air cools, and the trees begin to shed what they no longer need. Just as the leaves fall to the earth, we too are invited to release, reflect, and reconnect.
In Ayurvedic wisdom, this season is ruled by the Vata dosha - light, dry, mobile, and changeable, like the wind rustling through the trees. If left unchecked, Vata can stir feelings of restlessness, overthinking, and disconnection. To restore balance, we are called to embrace its opposite: grounding, warmth, and stillness.
This is the time to nurture your nervous system and tend to the steadiness within. Let your practice become less about striving and more about softening. Cook nourishing, warm foods. Surround yourself with comforting textures. Spend unhurried time in nature. Create simple rituals that return you to your body and breath.
By aligning with the rhythms of the earth, we remember: we are not separate from nature, but part of its cycles - always evolving, always coming home.
2 simple rituals to help you ground into Autumn:
Barefoot Earth Connection:
Begin your day by stepping outside and placing your bare feet on natural ground, even for a minute or two. Feel the earth beneath you and take a few slow, deep breaths, imagining any tension melting down into the soil.
This simple act of “earthing” helps regulate your nervous system, calms excess mental energy, and restores a sense of presence.
Earth-Infused Self-Care Bath:
Create a sacred bathing ritual to honour your body and the season. Gather grounding ingredients like Epsom salts, dried rose petals, rosemary, cedar - herbs known for their protective and calming qualities. Add a few drops of earthy essential oils (vetiver, frankincense, or sandalwood). As you soak, let this be a moment to pause, listen inwardly, and offer your body deep nourishment. You might like to bring a herbal tea or place a candle nearby to enhance the ritual.
The more we connect to the earth element through touch, breath, stillness, and presence, the more we return to ourselves. We are reminded that we are nature. That just like the seasons, we are meant to ebb and flow. And that in order to rise, we must first be rooted.
Let yourself land. Let yourself listen. Let yourself root.
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This October, let your practice become a place of rooting, of sacred pause, of deep connection to the earth beneath and the truth within.
