8 Yoga Poses to Connect You to the Earth Element

The five elements of Ayurvedic teachings—earth, fire, air, water, space—are present in

everything in and around you. Understanding each of these elements and their effects on your body can help you stay balanced.

The earth element is associated with the first chakra, Muladhara or root chakra, and is located at the base of your spine. This element and chakra are associated with security, safety, and stability. When the earth element is balanced, you feel confident, grounded, flexible, safe, resilient, and strong. An imbalanced earth element can cause anxiety, paranoia, fragility, moodiness, and forgetfulness. 

When you press your hands into the ground during Downward-Facing Dog or when you dig your toes and heels into the earth during Mountain Pose, you are expressing and connecting to the earth element. There are many ways to bring balance to the earth element during your yoga practice, including the following:

• Focus on a gentle, no-flow (or slow flow) yoga practice to build strength and stability (Hatha)
• Include grounding and balancing poses in your sequence (see below)
• Learn breathing techniques for grounding, such as the Ujjayi breath

Another great way to increase your connection with the earth element is to practice grounding yoga poses. Here are eight to help you find a sense of stability and security.

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Mountain Pose may be the best asana to help you connect with the earth—and to your body, breath, and mind. It is also a great foundational pose for all other standing poses. When practiced regularly, it can help improve posture and stability.

2. Warrior I Pose (Virabhadrasana 1)

Warrior I is a fierce pose that offers strength, confidence, and stability.

3. Tree Pose (Vriksasana)

Balancing poses, such as Tree Pose, help improve stability. This is a foundational pose that teaches you how to root to the ground, improves your concentration, and strengthens your leg muscles.

4. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

This balancing pose is a little more challenging than Tree Pose because it requires a bit more strength, flexibility, endurance, and concentration. But with a little practice, you will see a drastic improvement in your balance!

5. Head-to-Knee Forward Bend (Janu Sirsasana)

This seated pose invites a sense of grounding while developing flexibility in your hamstrings, back, thighs, and hip joints.

6. Hero Pose (Virasana)

Stretch your lower limbs and lengthen your spine as you ground your mind and body in hero pose.
Note of caution: This pose is not recommended if you have a knee or ankle injury.

7. Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Child’s Pose invites you release any tension or stress, and it’s a great way to feel supported by the ground. It’s also a comfortable pose to begin or end your yoga sequence because it allows you to center yourself.

8. Corpse Pose (Savasana)

Corpse Pose allows your entire body to make contact with the ground and is a common way to end a yoga practice.

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