discover ancient chinese grounding & earthing therapy
Natural Health Magazine asked us for our advice on ‘grounding’ and ‘earthing’ and the benefits of these therapeutic practices.
In this interview, David James Lees shares his expert guidance on the history, theory and rewards of these methods, plus tips on how to practise grounding and earthing at home or outdoors.
… when you become earthed or grounded and are fully balanced and in harmony with yourself and your surroundings, this simple healing process can be helpful for all illnesses…”
full interview
grounding and earthing therapy: the basics
What is ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’ therapy and how can it benefit our health?
The technique of ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’ is beneficial for your entire wellbeing. Its roots can be traced back thousands of years to ancient Chinese culture.
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, grounding relates to the concept of your Qi (Chi) or ‘life force’ energy. When your Qi is flowing smoothly and strongly you are healthy. When your Qi is sluggish or blocked this leads to ill-health.
Both physical and mental/emotional exertion can tip your Qi energy out of balance and grounding or earthing works to stimulate, harmonise and rebalance the flow of Qi energy within your body and mind, to promote good health.
Which particular health issues can grounding or earthing be helpful for?
When you become grounded and are fully balanced and in harmony with yourself and your surroundings, this simple healing process can be helpful for many illnesses.
Grounding activates and strengthens the Kidney energy – in traditional Chinese medicine this is thought to be the ‘root’ or ‘core’ energy for good health. When the Kidney energy is weak it can lead to common physical health conditions such as painful backs or shoulders, arthritic or rheumatoid conditions, as well as more complex internal health problems.
Grounding and earthing also help to address and rebalance the busyness of your mind. Modern society encourages the overstimulation of your thinking and being on a relentless carousel of what could, should or might happen, pleasing others or seeking perfection.
These mind games can eventually become self-sabotaging and can affect both your emotional and physical health. Indeed, it’s remarkable how many illnesses have either an emotional foundation or are exacerbated by a poor mindset. I believe that human beings have a natural healing ability and that this is often proven by the placebo effect.
When you ground or earth yourself you acknowledge that you are more than your mind. The process allows you to reconnect with your authentic nature, harmonise your mind, body and spirit, and become ‘one’ with the wider Cosmos.
how to practice grounding and earthing
How should someone who wants to start grounding or earthing go about it?
One of the simplest ways to ground or earth yourself is through the Chinese meditative practice of Qigong. Doing this exercise for as little as ten minutes a day can have a profound effect on your health.
To practise, first find a place where you won’t be disturbed and then get into a relaxed and comfortable standing position, ensuring that the weight of your body is evenly distributed between the heel and the ball of both feet – this position is called Wuji.
By pressing the soles of your feet against the earth this will activate a powerful acupuncture point on the Kidney meridian called Yong Quan (also known as Bubbling Spring). This simple process will help diffuse and ground the busyness of your mind and encourage the healthy and balanced flow of Qi between your mind, body and spirit into an energy of oneness.
It is wonderful to do this exercise outdoors in nature but you can also practice it indoors and enjoy similar benefits. If you have difficulty standing this Qigong exercise can also be practised from a seated position.
How do we know the relaxing effects of grounding or earthing aren’t simply to do with just being in nature?
There is a Chinese proverb that says: ‘we are part of nature, nature is part of us’. Being in nature and understanding that you are part of something greater is the essence of grounding and earthing practice but you don’t have to be outside to experience this profound connection.
By refusing to allow your mind to be a dominant and persuasive force, the practice of grounding reminds you that you are more than just skin, bones and a collection of cells, but an awesome life force of divine energy. Regardless of your surroundings, the practice helps you go within and tap into the inner clarity, calmness and strength that is always there within you but which you often overlook or ignore.
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