The Air Element - The Realm of Paradox

MindsetCancerPhilosophyEmotional IntelligenceMindfullness

Jul 31

Hey, it's Dan again. Last week, we explored the Water Element, and before that, the Earth Element. Today, we're diving into the Air Element as part of The Seven Elements to Optimal Health, Healing, and Transformation. If you missed the previous discussions, don't worry; each element stands on its own while also contributing to a holistic view of wellness.

Being a Warrior for your Wellness is not about either-or. It’s about both-and. The Air Element is the paradoxical realm of thinking. Is that absolutely true? No. Is it relatively true for me? Yes, so take a breath. We’ve got some things to discuss.

Air’s Relationship to Respiration and Hearing

The Air Element is the gaseous state of matter, contrasting with the solidity of Earth and the fluidity of Water. There are even seven states of matter, which vary with temperature. Air symbolizes the respiratory system, encompassing both the lungs and cellular respiration. Otto Warburg's work in the 1900s demonstrated that cancer is a cellular respiratory illness, focusing on mitochondrial function. And it’s never been disputed - it’s just been stuffed back. But Dr. Thomas Seyfriend has written a book on it called Cancer is a Metabolic Disease.

Additionally, the Air Element encompasses the sense of hearing, as bones respond to air pressure and vibrations. Are you truly listening to what surrounds you, both externally and internally? What is your inner dialogue? This reflects your relationship with the Air Element.

The Breathwork Paradox

A notable paradox within the Air Element is evident in differing approaches to breathwork. Patrick McKeown advocates for low, slow, and deep breathing to optimize oxygenation, while Dan Brulé emphasizes faster, harder and more intense breathing for spiritual benefits. They’re complete opposites, but they’re complementary and both are used for health, health and transformation. It’s so cool that this contrast exists in the air element. It’s really profound.

Breath Versus Breathing

Understanding breath versus breathing is crucial here. Breath is what we all share in common, while how we breathe it is deeply individualized. From birth, our first breath became our umbilical cord connecting us to life itself. However, societal influences often disconnect us from this vital link. Reconnecting with conscious breathing can foster self-regulation and deeper consciousness, as recognized by ancient yogic teachings.

The autonomic nervous system governs breathing automatically, yet we can also consciously influence it. Paradoxically, this unique dual control allows us to liberate ourselves into higher states of consciousness. By mastering our breath, we can alter our emotional states and achieve greater liberation, freedom and self-awareness.

Developing a Good Relationship with Air

Developing a good relationship with the Air Element means embracing the unseen aspects of ourselves, beyond external projections, and the part that people project onto you. It's about nurturing a connection with our true, unchanging self.

Choosing the right breathwork method—whether calming or stimulating—depends on individual needs and circumstances. For relaxation, methods like McKeown's are beneficial, while more dynamic techniques such as Dan Brulé or Wim Hof's power breathing can energize and invigorate.

However, choosing the wrong approach can dysregulate rather than heal, reinforcing trauma rather than releasing it. Hence, starting with relaxation techniques to regulate the nervous system is often advisable before exploring more intense methods.

Join me next week as we explore the Fire Element, the ultimate transformer. It's both feared and essential in our modern lives dominated by artificial light. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

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Key Takeaways

Air is The Realm of Paradox. Being a Warrior for your Wellness is not about choosing either-or. It’s about both-and. No other element represents this better than Air.
Air Touches Respiration and Hearing. Air symbolizes the respiratory system, encompassing both the lungs and cellular respiration. It also encompasses our sense of hearing.
The Breathwork Paradox. There are several different approaches to breathwork that are used for health, healing and transformation. Low, slow, and deep breathing is good for relaxation while faster, harder and more intense breathing is good for spiritual connection. The right approach for you may depend on many factors.
Breath vs. Breathing. Breath is what we all share in common, while how we breathe it is deeply individualized. By mastering our breath, we can alter our emotional states and achieve greater liberation, freedom and self-awareness.
Ways to Be In Relationship With Air. We must embrace the unseen aspects of ourselves beyond internal and external projections and nurture a connection with our true, unchanging self. Choosing the right breathwork method—whether calming or stimulating—depends on individual needs and circumstances.

Our Most Basic Common Links Is That We All Inhabit This Planet Breathe The Same Air

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Dan Hegerich

I'm a holistic heroic performance life coach who empowers people dealing with cancer or chronic illness to find their own path towards healing.

As a 6x cancer survivor, I realized that cancer isn’t the disease - it’s the expression of the disease. Cancer was my body’s way of waking me up. And it became my greatest opportunity to awaken into my own conscious spiritual evolution. That’s why I became a holistic heroic performance coach focused on HOPE - Helping Other People Evolve into their true authentic selves.