Staying Grounded
Posted on May 14th, 2009
It’s wonderful to be grounded in the body, feeling secure, stable and present. When we’re ungrounded we can feel off balance, scattered or unreal. Some people are naturally grounded, while others may be ungrounded most of the time. We use the term grounded to describe a state of being, but what is it really, and how can we stay grounded?
Much like an electrical appliance needs to be grounded in order to operate properly, our body needs to have an energy connection to the earth in order to function optimally. We feel this connection when we walk out in nature, matching the rootedness of the trees, feeling our feet connect with the earth. We naturally ground through the bottoms of our feet, but we also have another major source of grounding that supports us in being even more present, relaxed and stable in our body.
This energetic grounding cord, invisible to the naked eye, connects to the root chakra at the base of the spine and flows all the way down to the center of the earth. Simply bringing your awareness to it and intending to have it flow evenly all the way down to the center of the planet is all you need to do to ensure you are grounded.
Here are the most common signs of being grounded versus ungrounded:
___Grounded VS Ungrounded_______
Appropriate amount of energy Too much or too little energy
Able to focus Easily distracted
Feel whole and real Feel scattered and unreal
Relaxed and alert Tense, fidgety, off balance
Can easily release Holds problems, emotions
Notice how you feel throughout the day, and when your energy dips or you feel scattered or distracted, give yourself a brand new grounding cord and you will feel much better.
Experiment with being grounded and ungrounded by consciously intending to have an energy cord going from your pelvic cradle all the way down to the center of the earth. Allow it to be flowing and as wide as your hips. Notice how you feel when you are grounded. The best way to tell the difference between being grounded and ungrounded is to stand up and walk around the room when grounded. Notice how you feel in your body. Then purposely unground by pulling your grounding cord up or disintegrate it so you are not grounded anymore (this happens often when we’re in a rush or in a busy atmosphere). Walk around and notice how you feel. Then simply reground and notice the difference.
If you have a friend or partner to play with you can really get a sense of what it is like when someone is grounded. Ask your partner to get grounded and stand in front of you. Move their shoulders from side to side to see how stable they are on their feet. Then have them remove their grounding and move their shoulders again. You will notice a big difference as they will be solid and sturdy when grounded, but when ungrounded they can easily be knocked off balance.
The benefit of staying grounded is that you will have enough energy for the day, feel present and at ease, and be able to let go of problems and emotions (as well as releasing anyone else’s problems that you may have taken on). All it takes is recognizing the body signs for when you are not grounded, and simply choosing to be grounded.





May 15th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Yes, I definitely know when I’m not grounded! And, your comparision between grounded and not grounded was very helpful, thank you.
I read this great quote about flow yesterday: riding it up, down, and not pushing against it. For some reason, this article on being grounded reminds me of flow.
Any suggestions on getting grounded when you’re not, Gini?
Thanks,
Laurie
May 15th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Thanks for your comments Laurie. Flow is a great way to describe it as when we are really grounded, our energy grounding cord is flowing, all the way down to the center of the planet. If it get’s blocked up then it stops flowing and we can’t release, tension, problems, emotions etc easily the way we can when we’re grounded.
When I’m not feeling grounded, I stop, breath, connect to my body and imagine my grounding cord flowing all the way down to the center of the planet - it’s that simple. If it still feels blocked, I will get rid of it (I imagine disintegrating it) and the create a brand new grounding cord (intending it to be connected to my root chakra, base of the spine or pelvic cradle) and expanding it to be as wide as my hips and then letting it flow all the way to the center of the planet.
Try the exercise I mentioned in the article - walking around the room grounded and then purposely unground and walk around again. Also, try the other exercise with a partner - you’ll really notice the difference trying to move someone when they are grounded vs ungrounded.