Using elements is not a beginner's practice as the JoS show. Your question shows that you are beginner in this path more than just the elements, hence the confidence in calling you a beginner.
The deeper the trance, the more effective most meditations are. Without even a light trance, it is impossible to do meditation at all as that's how the brain works: it needs to be relaxed and relaxation automatically transitions into an alpha state, which is a light trance.
You can balance yourself by doing hatha yoga asanas and using the same number of vibrations and breaths when meditating on all your main chakras every day.
Working with elements requires you to master focus, trance, feeling energy, energy management and breathing exercises, which is why Lady Maxine put it in the last month of the 6-months training programme, not in the first.