I Am Grounded

Grounding is the first of four essential tenets in creating a solid foundation to instill ongoing peace, harmony, happiness, and well-being in our lives. As described in my first book, I Am a Feeling Body: Body Awareness and Mindfulness for Children, these tenets include grounding, centering, breathing, and feeling as they relate directly to awareness of and connection with the body.

This book focuses on grounding as fundamental for the body to feel connected with all that is. Our awareness of how we feel becomes a critical first step to instilling a solid connection between mind and body. When we invite ourselves to feel what is going on inside the body, and as our awareness spreads, we can anchor in two primary components of grounding. One is feeling grounded with the earth underneath us, and the other is feeling an evolving wholeness that constitutes all our body parts working as an integrated, flowing, spacious container that is encapsulated and supported by our largest organ, our skin. Merging the two components creates a feeling of sovereignty while being connected with the world around us. As we continually remind the body that it is safe to be fully present and aware, we begin to feel more stable, whole, calm, and resourced. Our nervous system begins to relax and feel supported and safe so we may navigate everyday life with confidence and ease. Our awareness can expand and spread to the greater aspects of our lives that make us happy instead of feeling anxiety and unrest in mind and body.

To be well grounded, it is important for the mind first to set a clear intention for the body. Our physical or bodily intelligence will respond accordingly and in a powerful manner, as it will create energetic openings and pathways through the nervous system so that we may walk more solidly on this earth and be much less shaken by external challenging events we encounter.

Just as a tree takes root, it is important for us to be grounded and create stability in our lives while being fully present in each moment. When we are not rooted or grounded, we may feel that we are floating about aimlessly—and possibly get caught up in unnecessary drama and conflict. Roots make us solid. Even in the midst of external elements, just as when a tree encounters wind and rain, we can make a conscious choice to focus within ourselves and not on external influences that only have the potential to sway us. Some ways to feel grounded include being outside in nature, taking a walk, lying on the grass, swimming, or simply drinking water.

When we create the space each morning to engage ourselves in these steps, we produce profound results. We may also set the intention of having fun while creating a much stronger mind–body connection each and every day to start us on our way. It may take as little as ten minutes.

Although this book is intended primarily for children, it is equally valuable for any age group. When the initial meanings in the poems are absorbed cognitively and somatically as one, the benefit grows exponentially. I hope that children will deepen their own awareness and begin to associate feelings when seeing the illustrations, as these will become somatic bookmarks for returning them to a deeper sense of grounding.

When you lead your children through the exercises, allow them to discover the fun themselves so they will create their own personal experiences. There are no right or wrong ways to do this. Your children will find their way by the use of their bodies guiding them. Trust and allow. Amazing things will happen.