Inner Resilience
The earth element has much to teach us about ourselves. When we tune into the element of earth, we are welcoming grounding, stability, rootedness, and a solid foundation. During times of stress and unease, the earth element supports us in coming home to a place of security and grounding, within ourselves.
The practices this week are intended to support you in landing in your body, to orient to the present moment, and invite physical awareness. During this current time of unease and instability with the pandemic, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the amount of information coming through the media, with the threats to health and well being, and the uncertainty of not knowing what is coming next. These practices are here to support you in rooting into a sense of security and stability in yourself, by bringing to awareness and sensation, the earth element. This grounding helps us transmute fear and anxiety, sourcing stability from within.
The Intro Video: Take a few minutes to watch this video before you start the rest of the course for this week.
Earth Element Yoga Practice: This is a guided Yoga practice which includes breath awareness, meditation, postures, and relaxation. You will need a space to practice in (undisturbed if possible), as well as anything that supports comfort, like a Yoga mat (if you don’t have one, you can use layers of blanket underneath you on the floor), a blanket to cover up with for relaxation, or use folded to sit on or support the knees when kneeling, and a pillow or two (also could be used to sit on or under the knees or head when lying down in relaxation). Yoga is unique for every body, so follow along but be open to listening to what your body needs, making any adaptations or changes that you need.
Earth Element Yoga Nidra: Yoga Nidra is a relaxation practice, that you can do from a relaxed, reclined position. It is best to be able to put the recording on, using headphones or earbuds in your ears. Be sure to make yourself comfortable, with layers under and over the body, a pillow under the knees, and an option of a covering for the eyes (eye pillow or light scarf/ fabric). As you will lay in stillness for 40 min, it is also a good idea to use the bathroom before hand so you will not be disturbed. Yoga Nidra is a form of yogic sleep, which facilitates a systemic relaxation of the body, mind, and nervous system. You may or may not consciously hear or retain what is said. Trust that whatever you experience is what you need. Yoga Nidra can be done any time, but can be especially supportive if you are tired in the mid day or afternoon. As well, you may enjoy Yoga Nidra to wind down in the evening.
This is the link to stream or download the Yoga Nidra https://www.dropbox.com/s/cahu1660g0csgid/Earth%20Element%20Yoga%20Nidra.mp3?dl=0 (click “Open” in top right and then “Download” once page loads).
Outer Resilience
As well, I am sharing this resource with you, a very grounding podcast ‘Permaculture Podcast – An Emergency Preparedness & Pandemic Resource’, and the website of Chris Gilmour: the Changing World Project. I am passing this on, because the earth element also reminds us to take care of basic needs, and it can also be very grounding to have tangible steps to take during times of crisis. In my own life, my partner and I have been working towards resilience on our homestead for many years, setting up solar power, planting nut and fruit trees, as well as cultivating many nutritious and medicinal plants. It can at times feel overwhelming to consider what is needed for self sufficiency and survival in the event of economic and supply chain disruption, and one tip that I would like to share is to consider what you and your family enjoy for staple crops and what are alternate ways to provide them. For example, if you eat a lot of grains that are shipped from across the world, what local sources are available to fill that dietary requirement and preference? Whether you have the capacity to grow some, or perhaps discover in your local area what options are available, we can be empowered by being prepared. As well, I encourage you to consider the small, day to day actions you can take to support grounding in your life, such as taking care to eat nourishing foods, hydrate, get fresh air and exercise, and adequate rest. Nature connection will also provide much needed medicine at this time!
Journal and Self Inquiry
- Gratitude is grounding, and it calms the nervous system. Consider starting a gratitude journal, or other creative outlets for expressing gratitude, if possible taking some time at the beginning of the day to contemplate what you are grateful for.
- The earth element offers grounding and connection with the body, senses, and an orientation to the present moment. Try to prioritize some time in nature every day, and as the weather is getting warmer, bare feet is best for grounding!