The need to root to rise
During these sunny days, my happy place is certainly my garden. I love this time of year when what has lain dormant begins to come back to life, when seeds that were recently sown start to push through the surface towards the sunlight. I love the many ways that the natural world offers us reminders of what we need ourselves to find balance, to grow and to move towards the light.
This weekend, while re-potting some seeds that had outgrown their initial pots, I was reminded how in order to grow towards the light, we need the conditions and capacity to deeply root.
Sometimes we can be so eager to get somewhere, to do something, that we forget the importance of tending to our foundations.
Just as when we plant a seed in the soil we consider what conditions it needs to take root, can we ask ourselves the same. What conditions (maybe people, places and practices) help our actions come from a grounded, steady, and supportive foundation? Are we creating space for and reaching into these?
If you recognise the need to feel a little more grounded and steady within your week, here are some simple suggestions of ways you might do so.
GROUNDING - take a moment to notice where your body connects to the surface that supports you (e.g. the floor, your chair, your bed). Let your attention rest at these contact points and let yourself soften down into the support.
EXHALE - while our inhalation supports us in feeling energised (it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system which is more activating) our exhalation supports us in feeling more calm and grounded (it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which is more calming). Let your attention rest on your exhalation and as you slowly breathe out, have a sense of your connection to the ground feeling rooted and supported.
WEIGHT - Offering yourself a few moments of rest with some weight on the body (like a blanket, cushion, sandbag, eye pillow or hand pillows or even better a purring pet) can help us feeling grounded and steady.
MINDFUL WALKING - When walking take your attention to the soles of your feet and their connection to the earth. Notice how it feels to slow down your pace so that you can feel this connection more easily. Even better, if you have a safe, grassy patch you might take your shoes off and feel your feet against the earth.
And if you would like to create a steady foundation for yourself on the yoga mat, it would be lovely to hold space for you in class.