Ecological Body: Venation, Vessels and Homeostasis

As far as space extends
the space in one’s heart extends
within it is both heaven and earth
both fire and air
both sun and moon
both lightening and stars
whatever exists in this world
and whatever does not
all of this
is contained within.
— Chandogya Upanishad 8.I.3


This oak tree and me, we’re made of the same stuff.
— Carl Sagan

Where does my skin begin, and (where) does it end? How is each element activating inside my body? What are my internal systems in exchange with, in transformation with, dependent on, and reacting to? Drawing inspiration from Sankhya, Yoga, and Ayurveda principles, which consider that all changing matter, including the fundamental building blocks of our species, manifests from the five fundamental elements (Pañca Mahābhūta), Yalda Younes invites us to explore the interplay of these elements within our bodies with these practices.

The gravitational force of the Earth, the ever-shifting qualities of Water, the transformative power of Fire, the vital movement of Wind, and the immeasurable resonance of Space, all engage with and within our bodies in a never-ending flux that intrinsically sustains our connection to and dependence on each other, as well as on other animal, vegetal, and mineral beings. By facilitating a heightened attunement to these simple yet complex elemental dynamics, Yalda Younes provides valuable tools that ignite the body’s innate intelligence, nurturing harmony through movement, breath, visualisation and imagination. Fostering a profound sense of relationality, her practices support the bypassing of obstacles inherited from modern civilization, namely division, separation, and fragmentation, encouraging the restoration and maintenance of homeostasis.