One of the most important and useful skills one can learn from studying Qigong is that of Grounding.
We implicitly understand the importance of grounding. Think of phrases such as, “She’s such a grounded person”; “This idea is grounded in facts and evidence”; “Twenty-one Quotes to Help Keep You Grounded”; and so forth.
And of course, one of my favorites: Casey Kasem, the American Top 40 Guy, used to close every show with “Keep your feet on the ground, but keep reaching for the stars”.
Most people don’t know how to ground. Practices such as yoga and meditation reference it, as do certain flavors of Western breathwork. I know I’m biased, but…from experience I have found the grounding techniques of Medical Qigong and Chinese Energetic Medicine are the most straightforward and effective. With a little practice, you can learn how to tap into the gentle energy of Mother Earth and, within a few minutes, become centered and grounded. And staying centered and grounded helps you better manage – even transform – stress and anxiety.
Why Is Grounding So Important?
The power of the Earth’s energy, or Earth Qi (pronounced “chee”), exists as the living energy of the entire planet. Each one of us is developed, structured, and influenced by the environmental energy around us. So Earth Qi plays an important role in controlling and influencing the specific pattern and overall quality of our life force energy.
The closer you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually bond with the Earth, and with Nature in general, the easier it becomes for you to tap into our planet’s energy and vibration. The development of Qi within your body and your body’s connection to the energy of the Earth are mutually supportive. They help create a virtuous cycle of improving energy, health, and vitality.
The starting point for achieving this critical connection involves focusing the mind and placing your breathing inside your Lower Dan Tien (lower abdomen). Once you have established this mind-body connection, you can use simple positions (standing or seated) and intentions to connect into Mother Earth.
The ability to consciously absorb energy from Nature is an important skill in Daoist training (my Medical Qigong lineage is Daoist). It’s a prerequisite for cultivating internal energy at a high level.
Learning how to ground and center is one of the most important skills I have learned over the years. Not only is it a foundation for my being able to treat and help people via treatments, corrective exercise, and/or Qigong prescriptions. It’s also an invaluable life skill! I go outside and ground at least once per day – sometimes multiple times per day. I ground inside too when I can’t get outside due to appointments and meetings.
Focus on Energy Management
I often tell my clients and Qigong students to focus less on “time management” and “stress management” and focus more on energy management. Most people are carrying way too much stress and anxiety. If I could impart only one piece of advice, it would be to “Give yourself the gift of breathing (and grounding)”. Take short breathing / grounding breaks throughout the day. Between meetings and calls; when you are switching from one type of task to another; after you’ve had a tough interaction or prior to an important meeting; while you’re driving home and transitioning from work mode to home mode. All are excellent opportunities to breathe and ground. Within a minute or so, you can collect yourself, purge negative energy or emotions, and feel revitalized mentally, physically, and emotionally.
(Quick plug: My online video course, “Introduction to Qigong and Breathwork“, includes an easy, fun Grounding meditation. Check it out.)
That’s it for now! I’m going to go stand outside for a few and ground…then on to my next to-do for today.
You Can Do It!
Dr. Karen
