Get Centered: Try This Embodied Grounding Exercise to Start Your New Year off Right!

Our body has so much wisdom to offer us and it's important to really listen to it, especially if you want to avoid feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or burnt out this year. I invite you to start the new year off by incorporating this embodied grounding exercise into your daily schedule.

Give yourself the gift of coming back into alignment with yourself to feel more centered and inner peace!

Begin by settling into a comfortable seat, either on the floor or in a chair.

Close your eyes or lower your gaze gently to the floor. Give your body permission to relax and allow the full weight of your body to surrender to the support beneath you. When you are ready, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Connect to Your Breath

Focus your attention on your breath. Witness each inhale and exhale, and pay attention to the breath's quality and temperature. If your mind wanders, gently guide it back to your breath.

Step 2: Root Chakra Activation

Inhale deeply through your nose, guiding the breath down to your root chakra. Exhale slowly through your mouth, letting the breath rise from the root. Repeat this four times, allowing any audible sighs to be released.

Step 3: Body Scan

Visualize a flashlight scanning your entire body. Start at the top of your head, notice any sensations such as tension, lightness, or tingling. Slowly, move the imaginary flashlight down to your neck, shoulders, heart, arms, and solar plexus. Pause at each area and witness any sensations without judgment. Continue to gently guide the flashlight down to your hips, thighs, knees, calves, and feet.

Step 4: Nourish Your Body

Rub your hands together quickly to generate heat and energy. Once you feel the energy in the palms of your hands, place your hands on the area(s) of your body where you felt the loudest sensation during the body scan. 

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• What does my body want me to know?

• What's here now?

• What's different?

• What is the same?

Once you have received the guidance from your body, take a moment to offer yourself an acknowledgement to thank your body. When you're ready, gently open your eyes and return to the present space.

This exercise is particularly beneficial if you happen to notice your energy feels a bit low, you feel like you have disconnected from yourself, or you notice that you are running on autopilot! Repeat this practice daily and observe any shifts or changes in your body.

Remember, your body holds a wealth of information and wisdom. Your journey of self-discovery starts with tuning in.