The elements of our natural world are a rich resource of wisdom and medicine for our souls. Learning to dance with them can help us attract and amplify their energy for support and personal growth. The element of air is connected to communication and our mental processes. It helps us to organize our thoughts and share our ideas with clarity. Air also supports our imagination and allows us to look at life from various perspectives. Learning to move with this energy sharpens our discernment, expresses our ideas with others, and cultivates flexibility along our life's path.
The air element connects us to our higher self and allows us to receive inspiration from outside of ourselves. Engaging with this energy can help us access our creative genius, try something new, and expand our potential. This element stimulates our curiosity and compels us to explore the world around us. It also can strengthen our minds and give us the confidence to assert ourselves.
Air is expressed through movement that is light and swift. Its primary goal is to distribute and move things throughout space. Someone who is dancing with this energy might look like they are speaking with their hands and arms through intricate gestures that change directions, tempos, and dynamics. Air movement can be very diverse as it attempts to interact with and understand whatever it comes into contact with. When we move with air energy, we will naturally explore our surroundings through motions like twirling, suspension, and carving. You might even notice a desire to extend your awareness beyond this plane in order to interact with the cosmos.
Here are some reasons for bringing the element of air into our bodies …
- To COMMUNICATE - deliver a message
- To differentiate and discern
- To observe and understand different ideas/perspectives (especially through partnering exercises)
- To develop self-confidence and boost mental intelligence
- To seek new insights/information from nonphysical beings (channeling)
- To awaken your creativity
- To cultivate focus and clarity
- To open up your psychic senses and enhance divination practices
- To release attachments
- To call on the power of hope (through embodied prayer)
Movement guidelines for aligning with the attributes of air
- Precise and detailed shapes that flow together through seamless transitions
- Movement is performed in the mid-upper planes and prioritizes the arms, hands, and head
- Quick tempo sequences that take up space and have varying dynamics
- Focus is external with an abundance of travel in all directions.
- Movement qualities are quick, distributive, light, curvy, intricate, and expansive
- May be used to tell a story
Other associations and tools for dancing with air energy
The air element has a Yang (+) polarity, meaning it displays an outward flow of energy that is solar (or masculine) and directive in nature. A dancer moving with this energy would have an external focus, movements would tend to be shared with someone or something else, and/or their motivation would come from interacting with the world around them.
Air is associated with the heart chakra, guiding us in love and connecting us to the ethereal realms. It teaches us about balance and compassion. You can visualize this as green energy spiraling in the center of your chest, creating a bridge between the lower and upper chakras.
Air is the inspiration for the suit of swords as well as the knights in the tarot. Some major arcana cards to help you connect to this element are The Fool, The Magician, The Lovers, and The Star.
Air energy can also be found in the cosmos. You can embody the qualities of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, as well as the constellations of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
For more information on this topic, check out some of my other resources:
- Episode 6 of my Spiritual Dance Podcast titled "Elemental Dance Magick"
- Episode 8 of my Spiritual Dance Podcast titled "Cosmic Choreography"
- My "Astrology for Dancers" Blog Post
- My book titled "Dance Divination"
- My channeled movement video for the element of air
