Yoga is very inspired by and connected to the elements of Nature: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space.

The Water Element in Yoga

This post will share yoga poses that really help you connect with the Water element followed by yoga videos that will help you:

• Open tight hips, hip flexors

• Add more dynamic movement (Water element) to your yoga practice

• Gently move and lubricate each of your joints

Skip to videos:

▶️ 15 Minute Yoga Video for Tight Hips, Hip Flexors, Lower Back

▶️ 30 Minute Water Element Yoga Flow

▶️ 10 Minute Gentle Yoga for Supple, Healthy Joints

Water represents fluidity, passion, creativity, emotions and sexuality. We’ll work on strengthening, opening and relaxing the hips in this practice, as well as lubricating the joints.

Water is also associated with the second chakra: Svadhishthana or the Sacral Chakra. It is located in abdomen (sacral/pelvic area) and affects our ability to connect with and accept others and new experiences.

The sense most associated with the Water element is taste.

The season most associated with the Earth element is Spring, but it’s good to keep in touch with all the elements year round.

Water element yoga poses focus on releasing emotional energy and/or trauma, especially from the hip and pelvic area.

4 YOGA POSES FOR TIGHT HIPS, HIP FLEXORS

I was born with hip dysplasia so I have struggled with tight hips pretty much my whole life. Here are some of my personal favorite hip-opening poses.

1. Forward Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana)

Despite the name of this pose, your head doesn’t actually have to touch your knee. By keeping the left leg extended while folding over the right leg (instead of folding the left leg in) you will feel more of a stretch in the lower left back and hip.

2. Revolved Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana)

A slight variation on the first pose that will stretch different muscles/fascia as well as open up your side body. Note: It’s totally ok if you can’t reach your foot. If this is the case, try keeping your top arm bent behind your back so that you keep your chest and side body open.

2. Revolved Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) Variation with Arm Behind Back

3. Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavistha Konasana)

After you do Head to Knee pose on the right and left side, fold forward with your arms extended forward between your legs. Remember to keep your knees and toes pointing up towards the Sky.

4. Butterfly Pose, Cobbler’s Pose or Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana)

Bring the soles of the feet together and let the knees fall out to the sides. You can keep the spine tall or fold forward. The closer your heels are to your hips, the deeper the stretch will be in the hip flexors, so adjust your position as needed. A little discomfort is usually ok but we don’t want to feel intense pain.

Note: Placing a block under each knee may help beginners or those with extra tight hip flexors.

4. Butterfly Pose, Cobbler’s Pose or Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana)

15 Minute Yoga Video for Tight Hips, Hip Flexors, Lower Back

This 15 minute yoga video will help relieve your tight hips, lower back pain, hip pain and hip flexors. It’s like a mini yin yoga class since we hold each pose for about 2 minutes.

3 WAYS TO ADD MORE DYNAMIC WATER ELEMENT ENERGY TO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

If you (or your energy) is feeling stuck or stagnant with the same, repetitive yoga poses or practice, try mixing it up with some more motion. It’s beneficial to help breath, blood and prana (energy) circulate throughout the body through dynamic movement. Here are 3 of my favorite ways to do this.

1. Downward Dog to Plank Pose “Undulating Dog”

Bring awareness to your hips as the “fulcrum” for transitioning between downward dog and plank pose. This helps build arm, shoulder and core strength.

2. Dynamic Warrior 2 Flow (Virbadrasana II)

I don’t even remember the first time I picked this up in a yoga class, but I still love, practice and teach it often. Inhale as you straighten your front leg and raise your arms and exhale as you bend into your front knee and bring you arms parallel to the Earth. Once you get the hang of it, try a few with your eyes closed.

3. Dynamic Bridge Pose (Setubandasana) “Drawbridge”

Start lying on the mat with your knees bent and arms by your sides. On the inhale, simultaneously lift the hips up and lift the arms up and back behind you. On the exhale, lower the hips and let the arms arc back along side your body.

30 Minute Water Element Yoga Flow Video

This easy, 30-minute Water Element Yoga Flow is great for beginners and yogis wanting to connect with the Water element. We’ll start with Ujjayi pranayama (breathing exercise) then flow through some traditional Hatha asanas (poses) and sun salutations followed by an anti-rheumatic series of motions that lubricates all the joints in the body.

10 Minute Gentle Yoga Video for Supple, Healthy Joints

This gentle yoga series of anti-rheumatic movements will help keep your joints supple and lubricated including your toes, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers and neck.

You ARE the Water Element!

Your body is between 50% and 75% water.

Spend time in and around natural bodies of water: oceans, lakes, rivers, creeks, and waterfalls to connect more with the water element in Nature.

Water Element Health Challenge

If you’d like a water challenge to practice off the mat, try exclusively drinking water for 30 days. Eat as you normally do but just cut out the tea, coffee, juice, soda, etc and drink only water and see how you feel. This will seriously help hydrate and detox your body. Not to mention, you’ll save some money too!

I have done this 30 day water challenge before and I always feel healthier, happier and more naturally energized afterwards.

Namaste & Have A Great Day!

💖 Miranda

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