Water Element (Jala)
Matter in a liquid state. Water is nourishment. Water is flow, sometimes a tsunami and sometimes a stream. The water element is substance and volume without stability. Water is powerful, unpredicatable and heavy, it yeilds to whatver is in its path. It cleanses and bring life.
Qualities of the Water Element
Dosha: Kapha (water + earth)
Sense Organ: Tongue/taste
Gunas: liquid, heavy, dense, oily, sticky, slimy, fluid
Energetic pathway in hand: Index finger
Bija Mantra: Vam
Chakra: 2nd - Svadisthana
Physical Qualities: lymphatic flow (rasa), movement of liquids in body, sacrum, reproductive, hips, urinary, kidneys
Energetic Qualities: Nurturing, heavy, accommodating, flexible, emotional, adaptable, lingering, cool, attached, forceful, serine, refreshing, hydrating, pliable, communal, go with the flow, icompassion, tears, inclusive, creativity, sexuality, juicy
Signs of a weak Water Element:
Feeling of dehydration.
Feeling of dry skin, cracking joints and dry hair.
Feeling crunchy in the body.
Feeling inflexible, stiff and static.
Feeling disconnected sexuality and creativity.
Pain in the lower extremities.
Feeling dry, rough, mobile, thick, dense
Recipes
Self Care Practices
To increase deficient water element
Abhyanga (oil massage)
Salt scrub
Increase hydration
Decrease alochol and drying substances
Drinking sole (salt water)
Eating wet foods
Taking a shower or bath
Swim to move energy
Tongue scraping
Practice accepting the ever changing current and ebbs and flows of life
Cry!
To decrease excessive water element
Use atringent or bitter herbs to stop damp qualities
Be clear with boundaires
Notice you go with the flow too much
Avoid foods that create excess water/mucus in the body
Water is always flowing to the sea but needs direction , dams and boundaries.