Stay grounded. What the F does that mean?

Yoga instructors love to say it, “Ground down through your feet…” or “Stay grounded as you get taller…” I am sure in the past 15 years of teaching yoga I’ve said it.

But what the does it mean to get grounded??

For a clear answer, let’s turn to one of my favorite goddesses of wisdom: Dolly Parton.

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.” ~ Dolly.

Let’s break down how this quote perfectly explains ‘staying grounded,’ then I’ll share with you one of my most ungrounded moments, and what you can do to stay grounded in a stressful situation.

When we’re talking about ‘being grounded’ I like to think about the difference between an oak tree and a tumbleweed. When a storm hits, the tumbleweed is going whichever way the wind blows. That little tumbleweed has no roots, no solid ground beneath it, so when the chaos reigns, there is no telling where that tumbleweed will end up.

Now, contrast that with an oak tree.

The oak tree has a root system that is wide and deep, holding it firmly in place. It has a strong, unmoving core, and finally it has some flexibility in the branches so it can bend without breaking. During a storm, that oak tree is not going to be flung about (except in extreme conditions but let’s assume this is a non-tornado storm), it will hold, it will endure, it will stand to live another day.

The oak tree is grounded, the tumbleweed is adrift.

So, how can we be more like the oak tree? Listen to Dolly. When the storm hits, get more grounded, send your roots down deeper so you can remain on your feet. Stay calm and strong. You’re going to be okay. You’re an oak tree.

Let’s say this ‘storm’ is stress, anxiety, panic…anything that activates your ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response. Now how do we stay grounded?

Fight or flight isn’t just activated when you’re being chased by a bear like when we were cave-people, in our modern world our sympathetic nervous system can be activated by an driver cutting you off and driving dangerously, it could be a confrontational email from your boss, the sound of the dentist drill (oh, that makes my hands sweat just thinking of it!), or just entering a party or environment where you’re unsure or uncomfortable.

When the brain perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system triggers a cascade of physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, faster breathing, and the release of adrenaline, to either confront the danger or escape from it. In this heightened state you are out of your reasonable, logical brain. You’re joining the storm. You’re ungrounded. You’ve become the tumbleweed.

One of my most un-grounded moments was at the Cony Island Mermaid Parade when I was in my 20s and living and in New York.

It was a beautiful day and my friend and I were enjoying that amazing costumes and parade floats when I suddenly got caught in a crush of people who were all trapped between a building and the parade route. I felt trapped and that sent me into a panic. I went totally rigid, felt like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think of anything except for ‘I have to get out of here!’ My heart was racing, I started sweating, and I left my thinking brain. I was not making decisions, I was in flight mode.

I don’t remember exactly what I did next but I am told by my friend that I suddenly had super-human strength which I used to push through the throng of people. I then jumped over the police barricade, ran through the parade past the mermaid floats, jumped over the barricade on the other side of the street and started running in a blind panic. I didn’t stop until I reached the elevated platform for the subway, my friend in hot pursuit.

Once in the cool, uncrowded train I started to calm down and we had a laugh, but really it was very scary. I became the tumbleweed.

When our system gets hacked by an ancient wiring that is causing us to freak out, the best thing we can do is stay grounded.

But how do we do that? Here are three things to do when you start to feel ungounded.

First: start to notice your physical signs of stress, anxiety or overwhelm.

When the overwhelm, fear or panic starts to arrive I notice it right away physically. This helps me stop and pay attention. My shoulders are getting tight, okay roll them back and stand up tall. My breath is getting short, fast, and high up in my chest. Okay. Take a deep breath all the way down to my belly and increase the length of my exhale until it is double the length of my inhale.

The slow long exhale helps reverse fight or flight by telling your body and mind that you’re calm and safe and do not need to outrun a tiger at the moment.

Second: don’t follow my mind into more frightening scenarios. When panic starts to set in, my mind unleashes what feels like hundreds of ‘what if’ scenarios one worse than the next. “this could happen, then that could happen! IT’S TERRIBLE!!’ This is like adding fuel to the anxiety fire.

BUT none of those things are actually happening in this moment. It’s just a projection of my mind, trying to protect me, but ultimately making things worse. I literally have to say out loud: “I can feel my feet on the ground. I am right here, right now.” Notice, and if you can, say out loud three things that are around you. Focus on your senses. For instance: “There is a nice breeze on my face. I can smell the fall leaves. I can see three red cars.” Stay present.

Third: Claim your space. When I feel the storm starting to swirl I get as tall as I can. I engage my core (but keep breathing deep and slow). I lift my chin and imagine that I am a superhero posing for the poster. Strong, calm, and unmovable.

So the next time a yoga teacher tells you to get grounded, imaging that oak tree sending roots down DEEP and in all directions so you can stand tall no matter the chaos that swirls around you.

Be the oak tree. The storms will come. Dig deeper roots. Deep breath, love. You got this. And we’ve got you.

See you on the mat soon!

Xo

Viv