The Thrive Yoga and Wellness Podcast

Join Merritt Malouf Plumb from the Energy Center and Jennifer Dixon from Thrive Yoga and Wellness as we explore the last element, the Ether Element. Most world philosophies and over many centuries have held the belief in 5 basic elements. 

The basic premise of which is, all of the world around us is made up of these elements. In ancient times, it helped to explain the world around those studying the elements.  Ether, the first or last element, depending on the source of study has often been called “space.” However, space doesn’t exactly do the ether element justice, because it is more than just space. 

For example, in Ayurvedic studies, Ether is the source, the original element, from which all the other elements, Air, Fire, Water and Earth are formed.  This same element was studied by the ancient philosophers like Aristotle who called this element Aether or “Quintessence.” The definition of quintessence was simply, spirit. The ancients believed that ether embodied the space between the heavens and earth. 

The Greeks believed Ether was what the Gods breathed. It was the source of life.  Interestingly, some bible scholars allude to this same space between, in the bible at Genesis 1:2, you can find that there was a void:  “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.“  This is not a biblical post, but the quote was added to show how even Judeo – Christian scholars talk about a void and darkness or space between, which could otherwise be named Ether.  

Ether is said to be formless, and cold (since it is before fire.) Ayurvedic scholars believe that the season for ether is winter (the space between the life of spring and summer, and the harvest of fall.) Although it is formless, it can when out of balance, make a person feel ungrounded. Therefore, heavier foods are prescribed to help fill up your body and make you feel grounded.  Since each of our bodies have characteristics of the five elements, you even have ether in your body, according to the 5 element theory. Ether would be the space between areas. This could be very tiny.  

The yogis believe you can experience the Ether element during meditation. When your mind is troubled, it’s like a whirlpool. The sanskrit word for that is Vritti. One of the fundamental goals of your yoga practice is to calm those vrittis or those whirlpools and return to Samahdi- the calm and peaceful state of mind. You can do this with meditation and with a physical yoga practice. In theory, we can find this Samahdi and live there. (with practice.)   Don't forget to subscribe to our Channel if you loved this discussion! Also, if there's something you'd like us to talk about, let us know! Drop a comment below and we'd be happy to include it in the coming weeks.

If you would like to watch this episode go over to our Youtube Channel here: https://youtu.be/r77cjI5KXWE

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher for a quick yoga inspired workout that'll focuse on your core and your glutes and leave you feeling stronger! It's intense, but it's worth it!

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher and Merritt Maloof Plum from The Energy Center as they explore the Air Element. 

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher for a quick tutorial on Half Moon Pose. This is an intense-intermediate pose because it is performed on one leg with the body balancing in the opposite direction of the non-grounded leg. Listen for a few quick cues that may help you reach this pose in your Asana Goals.

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Join Merritt Maloof Plumb from the Energy Center and Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher for a brief look at the Fire Element. 

The element that is fed by air and quenched by water but can bring us life leads to a complicated and beautiful discussion. Go ahead and give it a listen and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast!

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher for a quick 30 minute all over workout that is inspired by your favorite practice--yoga! You'll sweat, get stronger, build mobility and of course have a good time. 

This is a great option if you can't be in front of a screen and want to really focus on your body moving through the postures in a very physical way.

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher and Merritt Maloof Plumb from The Energy Center as they discuss the Water Element as it relates to Ayurveda with Ayurvedic Health Practioner, Jennifer Eddinger.

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher for a quick tutorial on how to do Crow pose or Bakasana. This is often considered the”gateway pose” to all things yoga inversion play time. Listen in and be sure to subscribe!

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Listen in as Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher and Merritt Maloof Plumb from The Energy Center gather together to discuss the final scenes of the Great Indian Epic, The Mahabharata. It is from this tale that we get an understanding of the foundational beliefs of this ancient culture as well as the Bhagavad Gita.  Most yogis know (or at least have heard of) the "Gita"  if they have studied the practice for any length of time. The entire poem takes over 2 days to recite in its entirety and covers the lives of 5 great brothers, the Pandavas. Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. All great warriors with a ton of great mythological battles and scenes, but today's discussion is on their final journey. The Pandava Journey into Heaven.  

The five brothers and their wife (Draupadi) decide to give up their throne (yes, you heard that right, one wife and giving up throne) and make the journey to get to heaven. It is believed you can walk there, if you have lived a pious life, through the Himalayan mountains. When they leave their kingdom, immediately, they are befriended by a stay dog.  This mysterious dog is their companion all over the Indian journey and into the mountains. 

One by one, the wife, and the Pandava Brothers die, each suffering the fate of their respective greatest "sins." These sins are the same battles we face today, partiality, arrogance, ego, vanity, gluttony, etc. Only one brother, the eldest, and considered most Pious, Yudhisthira is given the opportunity to make it to heaven.   However, this opportunity presents itself in the form of a chariot driven by Indra and at the stipulation that the dog can't go with him. 

Yudhisthira, true to his personality refuses to abandon the dog, loyal friend, and now a dependent follower. Even after a debate with Indra, the choice is made and Yudhisthira decides to stay on earth. At that moment, the dog transforms into Lord Rama (God of Dharma.)  *Spoiler alert* All 5 brothers and their wife make it to heaven. The dog does not go into heaven as a dog.  

In today's discussion, we talk about this story, the sins worthy of physical death. We talk about what lessons we could learn from each of the brothers, the wife, and of course the dog.   This is a beautiful, often un-heard of tale from a Indian Epic. We hope you enjoy our interpretation of the short story, that it causes you to think, and that it entertains you. 

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Join Jennifer Dixon ERYT 500 and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher for a super quick tutorial on how to help you get into Camel Pose with a little more ease. This is an intense back bend posture that can sometimes cause a lot of congestion in the back. Listen to one quick tip to help you relax just a bit in this tough back bend. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thriveyogaandwelless/message