Rooted in Nature: The Power of Grounding
I’ve recently come to appreciate the significance and importance of grounding.
Don’t miss out on my Root To Rise online yoga class this Sunday 29th September, 9am BST.
When we explore spirituality, it’s easy to get caught up in higher realms of thought, imagination, or emotion, and sometimes feel unanchored or disconnected from the physical world.
While we may be expanding energetically, growing mentally and emotionally, and ascending spiritually beyond our wildest dreams, without grounding our energy, we can become a bit too “light” and unbalanced.
“As we learn to ground ourselves, we become better able to handle our emotions and understand ourselves.”
- Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
It’s like the roots of a tree - without growing deep into the earth, the tree wouldn’t have the stability to grow tall and strong, reaching for the sky. Or think of a tall tower built without a strong foundation; it would eventually topple over without digging deep into the ground for support.
The same applies to our spiritual, mental, and emotional bodies. In yoga, we understand the self as having five layers, known as the ‘koshas’ - physical, energetic, emotional, intellectual, and bliss bodies. Like a tree or a tower, we need strong foundations, and this is achieved through grounding. Grounding creates a safe, stable base that allows us to explore higher consciousness while rising into our personal power with confidence.
There’s no better way to ground than by harnessing the energy of the Earth itself.
Nature offers us powerful support, helping us reconnect and quite literally “come back down to Earth,” feeling supported by Mother Nature.
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir
I think of grounding as the balance between our physical and spiritual worlds.
Modern living pulls us so deeply into the physical realm that we often forget our spiritual nature and feel disconnected - like something is missing. I remember this feeling a few years ago before my spiritual journey began, when I had a persistent sense that there was more to life, but I couldn’t quite grasp what it was.
I remember thinking, “Surely, there’s more to life? Why did we come here? What’s the purpose?” Nothing quite prepares you for a spiritual awakening, which can shoot you straight into a world of light! For me, this awakening came through yoga, meditation, and energetic healing practices like kundalini awakening, which helped me release old patterns and mental programming that had bound me to a certain way of living and thinking.
“Nature’s wildness is the antidote to modern stress, and it calls to us in whispers.”
Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves
But this leap into the spiritual world can also create an imbalance. We can become so immersed in new energies and otherworldly experiences (I’ll save those stories for another day!) that we can feel detached or isolated, especially when we’re still living our old ‘normal’ life.
The remedy, I’ve learned, is Mother Nature.
Living in Bali, I’m blessed to experience nature daily - dipping toes in the ocean, being surrounded by birds, animals, insects, and plants, and driving through rice paddies. It’s one of the reasons I love living here.
However, I understand that this isn’t the case for everyone. Living in cities can make it incredibly challenging to find ‘real’ nature - the raw, wild beauty of forests, beaches, or mountains, as opposed to manicured gardens and parks. I remember having to actively search for patches of grass and trees in London! Personally, I’ve always felt more connected to nature when it’s wild and free to do its thing, rather than pruned and tamed into pretty shapes. But that’s just me! Let’s just say I’m a wildflower meadow kind of girl.
“The wild woman is a knowing woman, and she knows she cannot be fully alive in this world without a connection to nature.”
- Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves
Nonetheless, it is possible to ground wherever you are, but I do appreciate it’s a very different story living in a high-rise apartment block in the centre of a city (I’ve been there). Here are some ways to ground, wherever you are:
Walk barefoot on the earth - soil, grass, sand, anything natural. This practice, known as “earthing” or “grounding,” allows your body to directly connect with the Earth’s energy.
Gardening - whether you have a garden or not, take some time to tend to plants or indoor greenery. De-weed, plant flowers, vegetables, or beautiful plants to create your own natural sanctuary.
Create window shelf pots - grow herbs, flowers, or even vegetables. All you need is a small window space, water, and occasional sunlight depending on what you’re growing.
Sprouting - if window pots aren’t your thing, try growing sprouts indoors - they’re easy and rewarding to nurture. You can find instructions online, but it’s really about the process of planting and growing that connects you to nature.
Weekend outdoor adventures - hiking, running, strolling, mountain climbing, cycling, stargazing, any activity that brings you outside.
Wild water swimming - swimming in lakes, rivers, or the sea is a powerful way to ground instantly. I love swimming in the cold Irish Sea, even in the winter! It feels as though it’s washing away anything that no longer serves me.
Sunlight - while dependent on season and location, we can all agree that sunlight makes us feel better. Aim for 10 minutes during the morning or evening without overdoing it.
Breathing clean air - easier said than done, but when on an outdoor adventure, consciously breathe in that fresh air deeply into the lungs.
Parks - the more raw and rugged, the better, but work with what you have. In London, I preferred Hampstead Heath or Richmond Park over the more manicured Hyde Park, but I visited them all depending on convenience.
Gratitude for nature - simply acknowledging and appreciating nature works wonders. Breathe the air consciously, thank the ocean for cleansing you, and express gratitude to the mountains, the sky, and all the elements. Many cultures, including Hinduism and Native American traditions, recognise the elements (fire, earth, air, water) as having a spirit, and they worship them in gratitude.
Tracking the moon - this can be done anywhere. Tracking the moon cycle connects you to nature’s rhythms, and you can bring in a spiritual element by aligning with the energies of each full and new moon. You can use an app to check exactly when the next full and new moon will be.
Tracking your menstrual cycle - like the moon, tracking your menstrual cycle is a beautiful way of connecting to your internal rhythms. This has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to understand my hormonal process and how to work with each phase.
Listen to natural sound playlists - music and sound have a huge impact on the nervous system. Try playlists featuring birdsong, water, or other natural elements to mimic the feeling of being outdoors.
“To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognised need of the human soul.”
- Simone Weil, The Need for Roots
This Sunday, 29th September 2024, I’m hosting a live online yoga class focused on grounding and stepping into confidence.
We’ll flow through a 60-minute vinyasa practice, incorporating poses that harness the Earth’s grounding energy, followed by pranayama breathing exercises. To deepen the experience, there will be an optional discussion and Q&A at the end. Save your spot here - I’m so excited to see you on the mat (from the comfort of your home!) this Sunday.
Sending an abundance of love your way.
Affirmations
“With every step, I am grounded, supported, and connected to the energy of the Earth.”
“The more grounded I am, the more expansive I become.”
“I am one with nature”.
Oracle Card
Here is a card I have pulled for you from my personal deck:
Awakening
‘The most important thing for this time is not to overthink it and to stay grounded. Share your experiences with like-soul people while you consciously integrate them. Journal and pay attention to your dreams. You are remembering, and your soul gifts are emerging.’
Thank you so much for reading. I always love hearing from my online community and engaging with like-minded souls, to share and gain wisdom. If you feel this post resonated with you I would love for you to comment below or message me to let me know your experiences.
Sending love,
Really loved this - thank you. Listening to you read it while I followed along was truly therapeutic 🌿😌✨
I read an article recently that archeologists have found some ancient boots that had magnets in the soles. This was in the mountains of western China. They conclusion was that the boots supported grounding for the wearer.