Siouxland Magazine - Volume 2 Issue 5

Siouxland Magazine | Balance /42
An Earth Education
By Dr. Meghan Nelson
It’s important to consult your physician or physical therapist
before beginning any new physical activity or exercises and
always listen to your body and respect any warnings you hear.
My husband and I were recently re-watching The
Revenant (2015), the story of one man’s struggle
for survival after he was abandoned and left for
dead. In the film, there’s a reminder that if you were to
only focus on the branches of a tree during a storm, you
might think the tree will fall, but if instead your awareness
is on the trunk, you’ll see that the tree is strong and steady.
Like the tree, when our roots are strong, when we are
connected, we are a mighty creation.
To be grounded is to be aware and present, to be able
to keep things in perspective with equanimity. We
need this now more than ever, this ability to keep our
internal compass aligned to our soul’s true north. Enter
grounding, or earthing. When the human body is in
bare contact with the earth, like when walking barefoot
through sand or lying flat in the grass to watch the clouds,
we are transformed. If you haven’t tried this in a while,
here’s your invitation.
Studies point to several health benefits including
improved muscle recovery and decreased tissue
damage and inflammation from grounding, in addition to
reducing sleep dysfunction, pain, and stress from cortisol
regulation. Recent studies illustrate cardiovascular
benefits of grounding as well. Grounding increases
the charge of red blood cells, which decreases blood
viscosity and clumping. How profound is it that we can
decrease cardiovascular disease and events like heart
attacks and strokes simply by connecting with Creation?
It’s no wonder then that research also suggests that
grounding increases pleasant and positive moods.
Why are we all not taking large dosages of this earth
medicine? Many are, I’m sure. All the filled local, state and
national parks reveal how this pandemic has reshaped
the contours of both our personal and collective
experiences—reminding us that almost all the best things
happen outside and that in reconnecting with nature
we are re-envisioning that deepest part of ourselves.
What a gift and opportunity it has been to get out of
our office buildings, off airplanes, and back out into our
environment on our feet again!
Try these 3 yoga poses to ground down, to cultivate a
positive relationship with this island Earth. To experience
the maximum benefit, perform these poses on bare earth.
Savasana or Corpse Pose: Lie down. Be still. Do
nothing. Moments to learn, a lifetime to master.
Bridge Pose: Start by lying on your back with knees
bent and feet on the earth. Track your knees in the same
direction as your toes point and keep the knees steady
and strong. Lift your pelvis and sacrum up to the sky
as you draw knees away from hips with the strength
of hamstrings and quadriceps together. Feel yourself
bridge up from your roots to your heart.