Grounding Techniques

Different Grounding Techniques & Practices

Grounding is an essential element of human existence, forming the bedrock of a healthy life. It anchors individuals in the present, preventing detachment from reality or becoming unhealthily lost in one's thoughts, both of which can manifest as mental disorders.

But what exactly is grounding?

Grounding is the practice of reconnecting with your physical body and the Earth, ensuring a harmonious balance between mental, physical, and emotional realms. In Eastern medicine, this connection is channeled through the Root Chakra, a vibrant energy center located at the base of the spine emitting a red auric energy. This chakra embodies physicality and survival instincts, emphasizing the importance of having everything necessary to thrive in the world.

Why is grounding so vital?

Grounding is fundamental for integrating life lessons and imbuing quality into every aspect of our lives. A lack of grounding in decision-making can lead to chaos and directionlessness, potentially resulting in unfortunate outcomes or harm. Navigating life without grounding is akin to stumbling blindly in the dark, lacking purpose or self-care strategies.

Spiritual advancement without grounding can be perilous. For those venturing into other dimensions, whether of the mind or spirit, it's imperative to maintain a connection with the present reality. Failure to do so can lead to misinformation, misguidance, and in extreme cases, individuals might lose their wholeness leading to fracturing, rendering them incapable of navigating their lives effectively. This often looks like instability in personality, a short attention span, unnecessary fear, spacing out for long periods of time, struggling to stabilize simple life tasks, big fish stories not even remotely close to the truth since they are caught in a fantasy, or a sense of feelin unsafe even if you're in your own home. Fortunately, there are numerous methods available to ground oneself and maintain this grounded state.

Let's take a look at various grounding methods,

Barefoot Walking:

Walking barefoot on the earth is an instant grounding technique. While strolls in nature are beneficial, the impact is far greater without rubber soles acting as a barrier. Barefoot walking not only establishes a connection with the Earth but also regulates your gait. Wearing shoes can disrupt our natural walking pattern, leading to imbalances in the hips which then leads to hip and back pain. Surprisingly, just two weeks of walking barefoot corrects these imbalances, aligning us with our inherent stride while also strengthening our energetic connection with the earth and root chakra. For those that cannot walk, sitting outside and burying your feet in the soil is also effective. This may be a great outlet for those that have sensitive feet to begin with until their feet develop more strength. If your find yourself sitting outside even just in the backyard, take your shoes off and let your feet rest on the ground.

Meditation:

In meditation, even when delving into states aimed at awakening the third eye or manifesting mental experiences, grounding is essential both at the beginning and end. Initiating grounding ensures that your spiritual journeys remain rooted in reality. Grounding at the end ensures that your experiences are integrated into your waking life, otherwise what good would the journey have been? During meditation, visualize vivid red roots extending from your body, delving deep into the Earth and spreading across the horizon. Feel the weight of your being, sinking profoundly into the Earth, grounding your consciousness in the present reality. For guided grounding meditations, refer to this resource.

Grounding Foods:

Choosing natural, organic foods directly from the Earth significantly aids in the grounding process. In shamanic traditions, red meats are recommended for grounding. However, for those following vegetarian or vegan diets, opt for root vegetables like red beets, carrots, onions, and potatoes, as well as ginger and similar options. It's crucial to avoid processed foods, as they have the opposite effect, disconnecting us from our bodies and dulling our connection between spirit and physicality. Processed foods contribute to the widespread sense of being ungrounded in the modern world which unfortunately is so often overlooked and unconsidered.

Cell Salts:

The foundation of our body's structure lies in cell salts; without them, our physical framework would not exist. Salt acts as the vessel that transports hydration and nutrition into our system, allowing integration and nourishment. Understanding your astrological cell salts is beneficial; it guides you in selecting the salts that strengthen your specific bodily structure. Remember, the grounding effect stems from the alignment of your physical structure with the Earth. Consuming salts and minerals directly from the Earth reinforces this grounding connection.

Movement Exercise:

Engaging in physical movement is a powerful grounding technique as it puts you into your body. While excessive exertion is unhealthy, practices like tai chi or qigong are particularly effective in calming the mind and anchoring you back to your body and the tangible world around you. Other exercises such as running, tennis, wrestling, soccer, or aerobics can also be helpful; they offer meditative grounding experiences in a different form. It really can be that simple and enjoyable!

Hot Springs:

Hot springs provide not only a cleansing environment but also a deeply grounding experience. Immersing yourself in mineral-rich waters has a profoundly relaxing and rejuvenating effect on the mind, body, and spirit. Allowing these natural minerals from the Earth's depths to envelop you is a popular and cherished grounding practice that we have done since the beginning of our time. Not only is this a grounding technique but one that also cleanses out energies that are causing turbulence or discord. Regular visits to a hot spring aids in energetic processing, cleansing, and grounding.

Sweat Lodge:

Participating in sweat lodge ceremonies offers a reverent and potent grounding activity. Sweating in the intense heat while inhaling the purifying scents of grounding substances like sage, cedar, or lemongrass helps clear discordant energies. During these ceremonies, participants typically position themselves as close to the ground as possible or place their hands on the earth while sitting, creating a strong connection to the Earth that steadies them as they sweat and breathe in the heat, detoxing their systems.

Burning Incense/Smudging:

Smudging, the practice of burning plants, is commonly recognized as an energy clearing method. However, it's equally aimed at creating a grounding safe space for participants. As it dispels discordant energies, it also anchors the spirit and space into a safe container. Sage and Incense are most frequently used for this purpose. Burning incense offers a wide array of options, each with unique benefits. While personal experiences vary, I find incense, particularly those with woody or resinous bases, to have a significant grounding effect. For a comprehensive guide on burning and making incense, explore more here.

Camping:

Camping, especially with a crackling fire, is a delightful adventure often undertaken without realizing its grounding effects. Being in nature inherently grounds you, and kindling a fire connects us to our primal origins, linking us to our ancestors. The gentle flames put our minds, bodies, and souls at ease, inducing a calming effect. Whether solo or with friends, camping provides a wonderful grounding experience that benefits everyone. This is another great opportunity to take your shoes off while around the camp fire and resting your feet on the earth to develop that deeper grounding connection.

Hiking:

Returning to nature, hiking in the wilderness, ascending mountains, or traversing deserts naturally tethers us to the Earth, regardless of our intentions. This is why hiking stands out as one of my favorite grounding practices. In the midst of nature, you don't need to consciously focus on being grounded; it happens effortlessly. Even if your mind wanders, your physical presence tends to remain firmly rooted in the present reality. In winter, this connection can be achieved through activities like snowshoeing.

Tea:

Certain teas facilitate the grounding process, while others have the opposite effect. When choosing grounding teas, opt for varieties rooted in plants such as Ginger, Ginseng, Fo-Ti, Rahmanniae, Dandelion root, Willow Bark (if pain is present), or Valerian root, among others. Craft your tea predominantly from roots and supplement with additional herbs tailored to your physical, mental, and spiritual state for that moment. For a selection of our tea blends, click here.

Tobacco:

In the modern age, tobacco has become a complex suggestion due to its transformation into an addictive chemical substance. However, there are avenues to access high-grade ceremonial tobacco that offers genuine benefits to your body without contamination. Having quality tobacco in the right moments can create an almost instantaneous grounding experience. In plant ceremonies such as ayahuasca or peyote, tobacco is often kept on hand to guide individuals back if they stray too far. Even having someone gently blow the smoke onto your face during moments of disorientation can aid in restoring your center and grounding you back into the present.

Gardening:

Engaging in gardening stands as one of the most wholesome grounding practices. When I say "wholesome," I mean it impacts us positively in multifaceted ways creating “wholeness”. It's a holistic experience. Gardening immerses your hands into the soil, bringing you into contact with the master grounding beings — plants and trees. You become a helper to the seed, witnessing its journey as it roots itself into the earth, laying the foundation for its blooming enlightenment. If your gardening is focused on food, you transform it into a source of nourishment for both yourself and others. (Pro tip: When planting seeds you intend to harvest later, hold them in your mouth before planting. This allows the seeds to interact with your DNA from the start, making digestion easier later on.)

Crystals:

Crystals, those delightful glimmers of wonder, serve various purposes for us. However, one consistent role they play is grounding us. Why? Because they are beings of the earth. Except for Moldavite and other meteorites, which hail from the stars. Crystals come in astonishingly unique shapes and colors, akin to the earth's fingerprints — no two are alike. Some crystals elevate our frequencies, connecting us with dream realms, astral realms, and our thoughts. Meanwhile, others focus on grounding and enhancing our lower chakras. Examples of grounding crystals include agate, smokey quartz, fire agate, black rose fluorite, Aragonite, Lodestone, Boji Stone, Red Jasper, and obsidian. For a deeper exploration of crystals and their meanings, explore our Crystal Library.

Visiting Caves:

What better way to commune with the earth than delving deep inside it? Visiting caves stands as a common shamanic practice, enabling connection with ancestors or embarking on a profound inner journey. Caves possess an inherent grounding essence, providing a safe haven for travelers. Within a cave, the mind quiets, and the spirit settles. It acts as a shield from the external world, allowing you to fully embody yourself. When you enter a cave, sit down, place your hands on the walls or the ground, and breathe in the silence and darkness it offers. Attune yourself to the potent stillness of the cave and surrender to its grounding mastery.

There are other forms of grounding practices that involve groups or different tools such as sound healing to aid the process, but hopefully you found this short list helpful for now. Incorporating these practices into your everyday life can significantly enhance your sense of well-being, fostering a deep connection with the Earth and your inner self, and development of a foundation to anything you do in life, for without it we all would become lost.