Rooting into Earth: The First of the 5 Master Elements in Yoga & Ayurveda

(Part 2 of 6 in the Master Element Series)

Introduction: Why We’re Talking About the Elements

You are made up of the same stuff as the universe. And that's not just something poetic to say in class...

It's true!

Ancient wisdom teaches us that the five mahābhūtas (great elements) - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space - are present in everything in the natural world including us.

Understanding these elements and how they are affecting our health, mood and energy can help us to take control of our wellbeing and learn to stay in balance - before dis-ease arrives. 

You can get a more detailed overview of the five master elements HERE but in this post, I'd like to give you some useful tips for staying grounded and connected - without feeling heavy and sluggish. 

So let's look at the first and densest element: Earth (in Sanskrit: Pṛthvī).

What Is the Earth Element?

The Earth element is your foundation. Literally and energetically. It’s connected to your bones, muscles and everything that gives your body form and stability.

In Ayurveda, Earth is part of the Kapha dosha (Earth + Water), and it governs qualities like heaviness, slowness, coolness, and steadiness. When we’re in balance with Earth, we feel grounded, present, and nourished. Think warm soup, a steady routine, and being able to sit still without spiralling in your thoughts.

It's closely correlated to the root chakra at the base of your spine, so any yoga practices which balance this energy centre, will also support harmony in the earth element. 

The archetypes that come to my mind are Nurturer and Mother, ond I often think of my grandma as having had a lot of earth element and kapha dosha. She was a strong, full figured woman who was always in her flower garden or growing vegetables to make hearty Sunday roasts with...

and man, I miss those!

Signs the Earth Element Is Balanced

• You feel stable, grounded, and present

• Your digestion is regular and comfortable

• You have a strong sense of routine and follow-through

• Emotionally, you feel safe, supported, and nourished

• You feel calm and slow in a good way (not sluggish!)

Signs the Earth Element Is Out of Balance

When Earth is excessive:

• You might feel heavy, emotionally stuck, or unmotivated

• You’re overeating or craving comfort foods all of the time

• You feel foggy, sluggish, overly attached to routine and order

• Physically: water retention, constipation, weight gain

When Earth is depleted:

• You feel ungrounded, anxious, scattered, or floaty

• You can’t sit still or settle

• You resist structure or find routines hard to follow

• You might experience dry skin, joint pain, poor immunity

   

Earth Element Mudrā + Bīja Mantra

Mudrā: Pṛthvī Mudrā

This mudrā connects you to Earth’s energy, promotes stability and security and is an excellent tool for balancing energies when feeling ungrounded or stressed/anxious.

Instructions

• Sit in a comfortable meditation position. (You can also practice while standing in tadasana - mountain pose). 
• Touch the top of the ring finger to the thumb. Keep your other three fingers extended and relaxed. 
• Rest your hands on your knees or thighs if you're seated. With the palms up. 
• Try with this breathing practice - Inhale deeply through the nose, visualising the grounding energy of the earth rising through your body. Exhale slowly, feeling the earth’s stability infuse your being.
• Practice 5 - 15 mins

Seed Sound (Bīja mantra): Lam (लं)

Repeating the mantra Lam aloud, or silently to feel the inner vibrations, resonates with the root chakra (Mūlādhāra) - your energetic anchor point at the base of your spine. Sound is vibration, and vibration affects the subtle body. Repeat the mantra “Lam” slowly and steadily during meditation, or in a restorative yoga pose. 

Ways to Balance the Earth Element

You don’t need to move to a cabin in the woods to connect to the Earth element.... although that does sound quite lovely!

Here are a few real-life, yoga-friendly ways to invite a sense of grounding and stability into your life:

1. Yoga postures: Feet, Legs, Hips

Yoga poses (Asana) that bring your awareness to the feet, legs and hips can help you to feel more grounded/stable and enhance earth energy.  Postures like Tadasana (Mountain pose) or Malasana (garland pose or ‘yogi squat’).

Or maybe try bringing your awareness to the feet throughout your asana practice. Really grounding down into the earth through the soles of your feet.

A gentle way to practice with the earth element in mind, is to continually bring awareness back to the feet in

2. Pranayama for calm and stability

• Try deep belly breathing or Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to calm the nervous system and cultivate feelings of steadiness.

   

3. Eat grounding foods

• Think root vegetables, warm meals, healthy fats, and avoiding raw or cold foods.

• Favour slow-cooked and nourishing meals (hello, dal and roasted veg!).

   

4. Daily rituals that soothe and stabilise

• Get outside barefoot if you can (even in your garden!)

• Try to create a simple, repetitive morning routine to ground you for the day

• Massage your body with warm oil (Abhyanga)

• Use Earthy essential oils like vetiver, patchouli, or sandalwood

   

5. Journaling prompts

• Where in my life do I feel grounded and supported?

• Where am I craving more steadiness or nourishment?

• What simple ritual could I bring in daily to feel more rooted?

   

6. Affirmations

• I am safe and secure
• I have everything I need
• The earth nourishes my body with every step (whilst walking in nature)

My final thoughts

The Earth element is our reminder that we are a part of the nature we see around us. And feelings of safety, strength, and stillness are already within us whenever we need. Anytime you are feeling scattered, anxious and stressed, I invite you to take some time in nature. Feeling the earth beneath your feet and taking some deep grounding breaths. Maybe sit in meditation (with mantra and/or mudra) or stand in mountain pose (tadasana) and feel the strength and power rising up through the feet and filling your whole body with the calm stability you need in that moment. 

Want to explore this in your practice? There are various classes in the online studio to help you harness the power of the earth. There's live classes and online community support too! 

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

And stay tuned next week as we dive into Water (Jala) which is all about emotion, flow, and feeling.

Other posts in this series

Five Master Elements Overview

Earth Element 

Water Element

Fire Element

Air Element - Coming Soon

Ether Element - Coming Soon