In Ayurveda all of nature is made up of the five elements. They are considered the building blocks of life.

The word in Sanskrit is Panchamahabhuta

Pancha: five        Maha: great        Bhuta: element

The first and most subtle of these elements is akash, known as ether or space. The other elements are air, fire, water and earth.

There is empty space found within our bodies. The colon is one example of an organ that acts as a container for empty space.

There are also invisible energy channels within our bodies that allow energy or life force to flow through us. In the Indian system (where Yoga and Ayurveda originate) these energy channels are called nadis.

Space can be described as nothingness.

Space contributes to flexibility, openness and acceptance. It is full of possibility.

Space is your Yoga mat just waiting for you. It is the blank pages of your journal. It is your google search bar. It is a Saturday morning without plans or expectations.

And it’s completely up to you what fills up each of these things.

Consider how much “space” you have in your schedule. Do you allow time to just be...or is every moment planned out?

Ayurveda teaches that life is a dance between too much and too little of each element.

Too much space? It could look like your head in the clouds, a resistance to commitment even when you know it’s the right thing for you or excess free time without purpose.

How can you balance excess space?

Create grounding. Step your bare feet into grass or dirt, enjoy a freshly baked sweet potato, connect to something physical: chop veggies, knit, or even just fold the laundry mindfully.

Not enough space? It could look like stubbornness, clogged pores, difficulty breathing easefully, a cluttered home, a busy schedule, feeling tight, constricted or stale.

How can you balance deficient space?

Inspire yourself with the vastness of Mother Nature, enjoy the bitter taste of leafy greens or practice Yoga. Maybe cleaning out a stuffed closet would create some spaciousness.

In our home I create space for my kids by taking them to the woods rather than a playground, by purposely not bringing toys to the beach so they have infinite possibilities to play with the gifts of Mother Nature and by keeping a minimalist playroom with open ended toys.

For myself, I keep the kitchen and bathroom counters cleared.

How do you create space in your life?

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