Yoga poses & techniques for grounding
What is the benefit of using yoga poses for grounding?
Grounding yoga poses can help bring your mind into the present moment, can help create a sense of calmness within, and can help you to connect with your root chakra. Grounding is about connecting with the Earth or the Earth’s energy. I have an entire post that goes into much more detail on this topic which you can find here: “Best Ways To Keep Yourself Grounded”
The poses and techniques listed here may seem like traditional yoga poses, which some are, and you could do them as you normally would and will probably experience some type of a grounding effect. But what I suggest is reading through the description where I offer tips on where and how to focus your energy while in these poses. Keeping your focus in the ways suggested will make these poses even more effective for grounding your energy.
5 Yoga Poses for Grounding
1. Pranayama with Hands on Earth
This first yoga for grounding tip I have for you is more of a technique than a pose, but I personally find this to be one of the best ways to ground my energy so I wanted to share it with you.
It’s super simple. First, you’ll sit in kneeling (if kneeling isn’t comfortable for you, then sit in easy pose). Next, place your palms on the earth in front of you. Make sure to keep your spine straight while you do this (don’t slouch over).
Once in this position, add in the pranayama (breathwork). As you inhale, imagine the Earth’s energy traveling through your hands and up your arms. As you exhale imagine your own energy traveling back down into the Earth – you can imagine letting go of excess energy or imagine letting go of what’s no longer serving you if you’d like. The main point is to feel into this exchange of energy between you and the Earth.
This is a simple technique that is extremely powerful for grounding.
2. Bridge Pose
This is a classic yoga pose that works well for grounding on it’s own, but there are a few things you can do to make your bridge pose extra grounding.
1- Make sure you keep your palms facing down (this is a great way to ground our energy).
2- Hold the bridge in the lifted position (make sure to continue to breathe) and focus on keeping the weight through your heels. Feel the heels rooting into the earth and hold your awareness here.
3. Standing Wide Leg Forward Fold
To increase the grounding effect of this pose, keep the palms on the earth.
If you can’t get your palms to the ground while keeping the knees straight, that’s ok, just bend the knees.
If this is still challenging, you can place a block under your hands to bring the ground up to you.
Remember to try to keep your weight under the ball of the feet (the area right underneath your toes.)
4. Yogi Squat with Finger Tips on Ground
This is a great grounding pose because you’re weight bearing through your feet (your roots), while also being low to the ground.
Instead of having the hands in prayer like in a traditional yogi squat, try placing your finger tips on the ground in front of you.
Make sure to keep the spine straight. If the heels don’t reach the ground, don’t worry, this can be done with the heels lifted as well.
5. Child's Pose
Child’s pose is often used to activate the third eye, but I think it works great for grounding as well since the forehead is in contact with the Earth. This is signaling to the mind to be here in the present moment.
While in your child’s pose, really allow the forehead to relax on the Earth and focus on the connection of the third eye region to the Earth below. I suggest taking a wide leg child’s pose (feet together, knees apart).
There are your 5 yoga poses for grounding (or 4 yoga poses and 1 yoga technique). For further instructions on these poses and/or to perform all these poses in a yoga practice, check out the video below.
Remember, it’s important to work on grounding as well as to work on expanding our intuition. I believe working on the balance of these two allows for true self healing.
