Nature's Medicine Trip at Tuolumne Meadows July 2014
At Nature’s Medicine, we were blessed with a light rain on Thursday that kept the dust in the campground down and made the qualities of the air and earth even more vital and pleasurable throughout the weekend. Bringing the health system of Ayurveda—“the knowledge of life”—to this rich outdoor landscape made the practical application of Ayurveda easy to access and experience for participants.
With our trailblazing effusive guide Jon-Paul, we spent most of our time afield, exploring domes, the meadows, and river through the lens of the five elements and five senses. Much of our meditation was immersive: walking barefoot on the domes, wading the river, smelling the lupine on hands and knees. We also explored the nuances of the Ayurvedic healing diet, and self care practices geared around creating balance with Ruth Smiley.
Participants themselves brought a wide range of interests, and throughout the weekend we incorporated aspects of Ayurvedic medicine, Yoga, meals, and hiking that suited individual needs. During this time we were able to assess one on one the body types of each person, and give a pulse reading to verify the findings. It was fun to be able to send participants home with a constitutional assessment, and recommendations for good health. A wonderful time was had by all!
Here is an excerpt from the Nature’s Medicine workbook, on the Five Elements:
The Five Elements range from empty space to fully formed earth. Qualities of the Elements are:
- ETHER: Space, Potential, Sound
- AIR: Movement, Change, Touch
- FIRE: Kinetic Energy, Transformation, Illumination, Sight
- WATER: Flow, Cohesion, Emotion, Taste
- EARTH: Substance, Form, Smell
Ether is the primary element, without it there would be nothing to exist in. In the body it is the hollows, the corridors, the GI Tract, for instance. In the mind, Ether is the space which makes room for new things to come into being. In the Sierra, Ether is the place, such as Tuolumne Meadows, a place prime for BEING!
Air is the second element, as it occurs in space. It is movement and animation in space. Air in the body is the circulation of blood, the peristaltic flow, and the breath. In the mind, Air is thoughts and ideas, the concept of change and newness. In the Sierra, Air is the inspiration and expansion of body and mind!
Fire is the third element, as movement in space spurs activity, friction builds heat. In the body it is the gastric and cellular fire that keeps us running at 98.6 degrees, and metabolizes our food, turning it into energy. In the mind, Fire is perception and determination, the vision to pursue and to succeed. In the Sierra, Fire is the amazing views, insight and revelation, the enhanced perspective on one’s life.
Water is the fourth element, as movement and heat coalesce in space to create condensation. Water in the body is the seventy percent of ourselves that is literally liquid: the blood, synovial fluid of the joints, sweat, tears. The water medium is that with which we handle nutrients and eliminate waste products. In the mind, Water represented is by the emotions. In the Sierra, Water is represented by renewal and refreshment; the baptism of a dip in an alpine lake or
Earth is the fifth element, as things cohere and become more stable. It results as the elements condense into fixed and firm form. In the body, it is the structure: muscles, bones, organs, the tangible parts of ourselves. In the mind, Earth represents stability and identity. In the Sierra, Earth is sense of terrestrial connection, of belonging to this great Earth, timelessness.