Ground, Root, Center: A Foundational Tool
The process of grounding our energy is simple, but not always easy. Our natural state is grounded and present, but we can find it challenging to feel the connection that is there for several reasons, including when we feel stressed, anxious, hungry, or if we are in disresonance with ourselves or our environments. The practice of ground, root, center is a foundational practice that I use personally and share with my clients. It has been a life-changer for me as an empath, allowing me to manage and become more aware of my own energy, and better discern what is mine and what is not. It has been a pathway to connection, peace and truth, and a keystone of my intuitive practice. As with any new skill, it gets easier with time and practice, so meet yourself with patience, compassion and a good sense of humor as you are learning this technique.
To be honest there is no one way or “right” way to do this; there are a myriad of ways to get grounded including spending time in nature, eating food, listening to music, dancing, walking, touch/massage, swimming/bathing, literally anything that brings you back into the now.
As former Warrior Jordan Poole said in a recent interview: “Be where your feet are” and trust the rest.
Here is a sample breakdown of the process for you to try for yourself. I have also included an audio recording that will guide you through this process, to move you from the intellectual to the experiential.
Grounding: Begin seated with your back supported in a comfortable chair- you can allow your spine to relax and round a bit, let your belly soften. You do not have to hold an upright posture as is often the instruction. Have your feet touching the floor, I'd suggest bare feet or in socks but no shoes. See if you can feel all four corners of your feet touching the ground, wiggle your toes, look at your feet, note the texture and temperature of the floor. You may add visualization if this is helpful for you: one example might be to imagine roots sprouting out of the soles (particularly the heels) of your feet- see them drop down into the energy body of earth and expand into a vast network that is strong, stable and connected. You can add colors, imagery and your own flare to this! I often think of redwoods or oak trees as a visual to anchor me.
Slowly take a few easy breaths, see if you can feel into your feet, ankles, knees, thighs, moving up the body slowly. As you go fill those areas with your awareness, eventually arriving at your hips and your sit-bones. Notice what you feel- notice the pressure of the chair under your thighs supporting you, notice where the chair back is contacting your spine, notice your breathing; are you holding your breath? Feel into your body, become aware and breathe into your feet, legs and hips. Sometimes giving yourself permission to be present is helpful, such as "There’s nothing I have to do, nowhere I have to go, no one I have to be" or taking a brief look around you to orient yourself in space/time, place a hand on your heart and state: “ I am right here, I am here, I am here, I am here”.
Rooting: Next feel into your pelvic bowl (area below the belly button and the space between your pubic bone and tailbone), relax the muscles and envision a grounding cord dropping down from just in front of your tailbone and into the earth. People often imagine a silver cord of light-I like imagining a red rope to match the root chakra- you can use the imagery you prefer. This cord should drop deep into the energetic center of the earth and then visualize yourself attaching or anchoring it somehow (tie it to a stake or wrap it around a tree etc). This helps to anchor you in the now. You do not have to force it or push, your awareness of this part of your body naturally fosters this deeper connection. Relax and allow, you'll often notice a slow gradual descent, a softening or "landing" in your body.
Centering: Alright now that you are grounded and rooted, you can shift your attention and awareness to inside your heart space and your spine. Notice the area between your shoulder blades, the backside of the heart. See if you can become aware of the full glorious length of your spine, traveling from your tailbone up to the base of the skull. Bring your awareness inwards, focus your attention to the inner landscape of your body.
Notice any emotions, thoughts, images, memories that come up when you do this-Often by fostering this inward listening you will find you have a sense of what the body needs/wants, or what is surfacing to be processed. Remember you are allowing, noticing, becoming curious and aware- rather than “fixing”, pushing or forcing. It’s a gentleness that is called for here, a loving awareness of what is happening in this moment. This whole process takes 2-5 minutes. You can use this anytime you feel a bit off kilter, or out of sorts. It is a helpful tool to bring you back into the present moment where your intuitive guidance is available to you.
When you are fully present you feel better, you feel connected and you can move through life confident you are making heart-centered, aligned and empowered choices.
