How To Ground in Alignment Yoga

Drawing Circles, Applying Pressure, and Spreading the Weight Evenly --- Everything in Alignment Yoga is through the lens of The Skeletal System. We never cue muscles, because muscles follow proper skeletal weight bearing. When “grounding” through any part of the body, the idea of drawing circles on the parts of the body contacting the earth, applying pressure in the diagonal axis, and thus spreading the weight evenly is an act of the utmost consciousness. In Yoga, as in our routine movement we often bear weight repeatedly in certain areas of the body while never bearing weight in others. Identifying the base of the index fingers and big toes, while counteracting that pressure in the pinky fingers, toes, and throughout the heels establishes a secure connection to the ground. Every contact point ultimately becomes a leverage point as well for lengthening and spiraling, so grounding also requires an advanced attention to one’s body, allowing your intention to fire dormant muscles over time. Using all parts of the hands and feet (or forearms and head) whatever is on the earth in a purposeful and expansive way ensures you are using and developing your isotonic core.