Grounding In the Earth

Now that spring is finally coming to Minnesota, I am finding myself going barefoot outside as much as I can. Not only is this physically healthy, for the earthing energy received, I love the feeling of my physical body connecting to the earth.

Mother earth is literally and metaphorically the ground of our Feminine nature. Matter comes from the same root as “mater” or “mother.” Like a mother with a child, not only does the earth physically support and hold us through the atmosphere that is made of just the right nutrients for us to breathe and through the gravitational pull that holds us closely to her, she also provides food to nourish us from the perfect combination of nutrients in the soil, sun, and water found on our planet. In fact, did you know that our bodies are composed of many of the same elements as the earth’s crust?

• Two-thirds of the earth’s crust and the body is made up of water.
• The most abundant element in the body and in the earth’s crust is Oxygen, and
• There are similar levels of Hydrogen and Calcium, as well as many other elements in common.
  

No wonder I feel deeply connected and nourished going barefoot!

We can deepen our connection to this source of nourishment, support, and holding by engaging in a practice I call Grounding in the Earth.

Grounding in the Earth Practice

If you can, find a place with grass where you can walk and sit on the Earth. If you need to be indoors, find a place on the floor. Take your shoes off and simply stand on the grass or floor, sensing your feet. Notice the sensation under your feet, and under that, the solidity and firmness of the earth holding you.

Take a breath and as you breathe in, imagine that there are roots from your feet that are connected down into the center of the earth. As you inhale, feel those roots pulling your feet closer, down into the earth, toward the core, and as you exhale, allow the earth energy to simply rise up into your body through those same roots.

As you breathe in and out, imagine those roots extending all the way up into your lower belly, allowing your belly to relax and expand, feeling the earth energy drawing you down and circulating back up through feet, legs, and into your lower belly. Do this enough times to feel the natural rhythm of your breath in and out, connected with the earth. Now try it the other way: breathe in the earth energy through your roots, through your feet and legs, and into your lower belly. Then breathe out and down, allowing that energy to return to the earth. Allow this rhythm to feel regular and natural in your body. Which one feels more grounding to you?

Sit or lie (on your back or belly) directly on the ground in a way that feels comfortable to you. Feeling your roots extending down from whatever part of you is touching the earth, practice one of the breath cycles from above. As you breathe, notice the weight of your body sinking into and being held by the earth. Feel into this supportive ground, allowing your body to relax into earth’s solid and trustworthy embrace. If you practice yoga, Yin yoga Butterfly pose or Savasana are other ways to practice this grounding breath.

Moment-by-Moment Mindfulness

You can take this awareness of the earth supporting you into your daily life by dropping your attention to your feet, legs, and lower belly. Start by sensing into the solidity and firmness and physicality of your lower body, and breathe with one of the breath cycles described above, sensing into any physical sensations you notice. You can do this anytime, anywhere—sitting, standing, in a meeting, with shoes on or off, working at a computer, talking with others, just drop your attention down and in.

What is your attitude toward the Earth?
Does it feel like she supports you, or drags you down, or….?
Or do you feel neutral, perhaps not really aware of your connection to the earth?
What do you already do to feel grounded? How does it work?
What does being grounded feel like to you?
What do you notice when you try this grounding practice?

There are many ways to practice grounding—please join me in some of my offerings:

• Sign up for a Free Discovery Session to see how my work can support you to feel more at home in your body and more at ease and resilient in your life.
• Attend my new class, The Mindful Art of Tea, on Wednesday, June 15th at the Mississippi Market W. 7th Coop.
• Learn ways to let go of sugar, a major culprit in feeling ungrounded, at my Beat the Sugar Blues class on June 25th.

p.s. Do you have friends who would like to feel more grounded and mindful? I’d love it if you would share this post with them on Facebook!

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Author: Katy Taylor

I am a regular person, like you. I am an earth lover, a seeker, a singer, a gardener, a partner and friend. I have attended a lot of trainings and continue to do my work to grow and deepen and become a more loving person. If you're interested, you can read more about me on the About page. View all posts by Katy Taylor