I can ground myself. And so can you.

When I trained as a massage therapist in the mid-90s, one thing that quickly became obvious was how literal our bodies are. If you carry a heavy burden, metaphorically, your back literally hurts. If you have a hard time grounding yourself, your legs are literally tense. If you hold on too tight, your shoulders and arms hurt.

I think this is why yoga is so effective at body-mind regulation.

It is not easy for me to unfurl my hamstrings (trust). But it is infinitely easier than trying to stay grounded in the present moment. And it is not easy for me to develop functional flexibility in my shoulders. But it is infinitely easier than letting go … of attachments, of insecurities, of anger, you name it.

And the magical thing is that it works in both directions. Just like my hamstrings are tight from resisting the anti-gravitational force of my mind, so my mind is grounded by deliberately, consciously, skillfully, using my feet to stand.

It really is that simple.