Freedom
One of the most important concepts signified by the element air is its' identification with a sense of freedom. Accordingly, when there is a lack of air we feel confined. In situations that we feel emotionally constrained, with an inner sense of limitations pressing down, we might feel that "there is no air to breathe."
Contrary to this, we feel freedom when we "get some air," and when we feel the potential to "spread wings and fly."
Generally, the sense of being uplifted is connected with the element air. In any case, someone with a lot of the element air in their nature will possess vision, and the ability to think freely.
Space
When the element air is strong in a person's character, they also require space, which is another manifestation of this element. What is the necessary living space required by us as human beings?
One person may be willing to live or work in a little alcove, and another person unwilling to, because, they require more air around them - more space. A person like this will prefer to be engaged in work that doesn't imprison him between small office walls.
But of course, there is in the necessity for space, an inner aspect - not just external. Every one of us requires a different amount of privacy, of personal space, that others may not enter.
This may be emotional space - from which come the ability and the liberty to get into a mood and then get out of it, and to experience intense emotions without anyone interfering with our concerns.
A person with a large dose of the element air will require a larger space around him - to match the physical with the spiritual - compared to a person who has other elements that are dominant in his character.
Speech
Another aspect with a strong connection to the element air in the soul is our ability to express verbally. In every one of us there is a great and diverse ability for expression. There is the expression of movement, musical expression, and visual expression, but, of all these, our ability to express ourselves verbally is connected with the element air.
The action of speaking is based on the ability to control the exhalation of air through the vocal cords, and in the way that the sound passes the five parts of the mouth (lips, teeth, tongue, roof of mouth, and throat - listed from the outside in) and is turned into speech.
'Chatterers' for example were considered in early times to have an excess of the element air and an inability to restrain their spirit.
The book of Proverbs compares this kind of person to a city with no walls, which is a space of air with no boundaries and limitations. "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (The Book of Proverbs; 25, 28)
The Torah, in the book of Leviticus, commands men that have slandered and have therefore contracted leprosy to bring as sacrifice two chatty birds (representing the element air). One of them is to become a sacrifice, and one is to be set free, apparently to symbolize to that man, that he must control the element air in his spirit.
Boastfulness
According to the Kabalah, each element is identified with a certain sphere. The element water is identified with the sphere of Judgment, the element fire with the sphere of Grace, the element earth with the sphere of the Kingdom, and the element air is identified with the sphere of Pride (this has been sighted, for example, in the book Hesed Le Avraham by 16th century Kabalists, Rabi Abraham Azulay.
The identification of the element air in the soul of man with the sphere of Pride leads us to understand that one of the problems likely to develop when this element is out of balance is pride and boastfulness; and actually, in everyday language as well, when someone is referred to as boastful, it can be said that he "blows hot air."
Spacing Out
Another aspect of an inner imbalance of the element air in the soul is expressed in the qualities of "space cadet" types. Characters that don't have there two feet on the ground, who don't completely get reality in its entirety - all of these, suffer from an excess of the element air. Therefore, it's very important to always maintain the right dynamic balance of the system of elements in the soul. Accordingly, when someone "spaces out" we are inclined to seek ways of grounding them - which is to say, balance the excess element air with the heavy and grounding element earth.
Contemplation
The positive side of the element air is also expressed in cognitive abilities. Intellectuals, authors, people of faith, and philosophers are thought of as "people of spirit" - in that the subject of mental activity in relation to thinking, concentration and conceptual verbal expression is connected to the element air in the soul.
Air personalities love to learn. Water personalities, when reading books for example, can almost always be said to be reading a romance rich with emotion, and a "tear-jerker." Fire personalities will read a book with a lot of action; this could be a suspense story, or alternatively, a book that coaches them to action in the business world for example.
But, air types among us simply like to read philosophical literature. Even if there is no action or romance - self examination, understanding, analysis and the enrichment of knowledge attracts them and causes great pleasure in their soul.
Healing through Breath
The unique thing about the element air is that we constantly, without pause, live in it. It is the space in which we function and the air we breathe.
Correct breathing practice, directing air to different parts of the body and awakening attention to the full acceptance of the soul, can help every person to balance the element air within them. Correct breathing supports energy. It helps dissolve excess energy, and it helps to replenish energy when it is lacking. In fact, the breath is one of the greatest healing mechanisms we possess naturally.