Akasha—The Space Element in Yoga & Ayurveda
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Pictured: Aaron meditating by the Ganges River, Rishikesh
Akasha, often translated as space or ether, is the most subtle of the five great elements (Pancha Mahabhuta). While earth, water, fire, and air are tangible and easier to perceive, space is more elusive. Yet, it is the container that holds everything, the field in which all life unfolds.
As Aaron shared on the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast:
“Akasha is that emptiness inside of us—the awareness which is observing, perceiving, and containing our everyday experience and the experience of our practice.”
Understanding and working with Akasha invites us into deeper spaciousness, stillness, and connection with the Self.
What Does Akasha Mean?
The word Akasha is translated in different ways:
Space – the container for all other elements.
Ether – the subtle energetic field that surrounds and permeates life.
Vastness – endless expansion, like the ever-expanding universe.
Aaron explains:
“Everything happens within space. It is subtle (sukshma), limitless (ananta), all-pervasive (vyapaka), and void (shunya)—the emptiness from which all things arise.”
Akasha in Yogic Tradition
Deity: Shiva – the personification of pure awareness, stillness, and the unmanifested witness.
Chakra: Vishuddhi (Throat) – governing communication, expression, and listening.
Sound (Bija Mantra): Ham – repeated to awaken spaciousness and subtle awareness.
Sense Organ: Ears (hearing) – connecting us to the subtle vibrations of sound.
Action Organ: Speech – the expression of truth and creativity.
“Shiva represents the formless witness, steeped in awareness. That emptiness is the source of all things.” – Aaron
Qualities of Akasha
Akasha has distinct characteristics that influence our mind, body, and spiritual practice:
Subtle (Sukshma): Beyond the senses, refined.
Limitless (Ananta): Expansive, infinite.
All-Pervasive (Vyapaka): Present everywhere.
Void (Shunya): Emptiness beyond qualities.
When balanced, Akasha brings clarity, expansiveness, and ease. When imbalanced, it may lead to disconnection, spaciness, or difficulty expressing oneself.
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Working with Akasha in Practice
1. Asana (Posture)
Create pauses between poses to feel spaciousness.
Practice gentle inversions (headstand, shoulderstand) to stimulate Udana Vayu.
Focus on opening the throat and neck to awaken Vishuddhi chakra.
Emphasise creating space in joints, breath, and mind during practice.
2. Pranayama (Breathwork)
Explore the spaces between breaths (Kumbhaka).
Practice So-Ham Pranayama – inhaling with So, exhaling with Ham.
Try Bhramari (Humming Breath) – internalising sound to cultivate stillness.
3. Meditation
Use the mantra Ham to connect with the space element.
Practice sound awareness—listening from the outermost sounds to the silence between thoughts.
Visualise the “bright, clear, peaceful rain cloud” described in the Gheranda Samhita (Akasha Dharana).
“Fold the layers inward. From body, to breath, to mind, to silence. Eventually you arrive at emptiness—and that emptiness is the source of wisdom.” – Aaron
Signs of Imbalance in Akasha
Excess Akasha: Spaciness, disconnection, dissociation, lofty ideas without grounding.
Deficient Akasha: Feeling stuck, claustrophobic, rigid thinking, trouble expressing oneself, avoidance of stillness.
Cultivating a daily relationship with space—through silence, meditation, and sound—helps restore harmony.
Final Thoughts
Akasha teaches us the value of emptiness and spaciousness. Just as space holds all existence, it also allows us to pause, integrate, and expand into our true nature.
As Aaron reminds us:
“Yoga is about embodiment. If you want to learn from the elements, you must give them your time and let them teach you.”
Want to Learn More?
Listen to the full episode, Akasha: The Space Element, on the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda podcast for a deeper dive into this subtle and expansive element.
Ready to root your yoga practice in tradition? Join our upcoming 200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training (October 2025) in Berwick, Victoria — a six-month immersive journey grounding you in the principles of Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda, and the elements.
