7 Simple Grounding Tools to Calm the Mind
The feelings of fear, anxiety and nervousness are all signs of Vata imbalances in the mind.
Vata is comprised of Air & Ether (space) elements. When we are experiencing too much air and spaciness in the mind, we want to bring in more Earth energy – the grounding energy.
If you are Vata or experiencing or prone to Vata imbalance, daily grounding practice can help you keep your Vata balanced.
Here are 7 simple grounding tools you can bring in daily to calm the mind!
1. Practice Even Breathing (Sama Vritti Pranayama)
This is a simple breathing technique you can practice anytime during the day when you are stressed or anxious.
Even breathing or Sama Vritti is a breathing technique in which the inhalation is the same length as the exhalation (usually 4 counts in, 4 counts out).
1) Sitting in a comfortable seated posture, rest the backs of your hands onto your knees if you are sitting on the floor, or on your thighs if you are sitting on the chair. If you are sitting on a chair, make sure your feet are both grounded to the earth. Roll your shoulders back and lift through the spine.
2) Bring your awareness to your breath and start to lengthen your inhale and exhale.
3) Start to inhale count to 4, exhale count to 4. Repeat 3-4 rounds and more if you have more time!
2. Practice Mantra Meditation (Japa Meditation)
I love practicing mantra meditation (Japa meditation) before my physical Yoga practice (Asana) in the morning. But you can do this anytime during the day.
You can create your own mantra or affirmations that are calming and grounding. Or I love chanting the seed mantra for the Root Chakra – ‘Om Lam’ as it’s grounding for Vata. You can chant quietly in a low voice or silently, internally.
If you are new to the Chakra system, check out my blog here.
3. Practice slow, grounding and calming Yoga practice
Starting the day with slow, grounding and calming Yoga practice can help calm the mind and help you feel grounded through the day. Even 15 or 20 minutes of practice can help get you off to a great start.
Standing and balancing Yoga poses and hip opening poses are all grounding for scattered Vata minds.
4. Light grounding incense or use grounding essential oil
I love lighting sandalwood incense in the morning or use a diffuser with a few drops of grounding essential oil. Jasmine and cedarwood are also really grounding and rooting.
5. Have grounding food
According to Ayurveda, root vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots, celeriac and beetroot (beets) have grounding, earthy quality as they grow underground in the nurturing protection of the earth. They grow as they absorb key nutrients from the soil. Therefore when we consume these root vegetables, it is said that we also absorb these grounding, earthy qualities.
These root vegetables are usually eaten during autumn through to winter which is considered Vata season in Ayurveda. Having soup made with these root vegetables is the best way to consume the grounding energy from these foods. So try having soup from different root vegetables everyday during Vata season!
6. Walk in nature
Not much to add to this! We all know that walking in nature is really grounding for us. So create a routine to go for a walk in nature once a day! This can be just your local park if you live in town, but take time to observe the plants, animals and rhythms of nature wherever you are!
7. Self-massage with oil (Abhyanga)
Self-massage with oil can be very nurturing and grounding to balance the Vata mind. Use warming organic sesame oil for Vata in the colder season. Leave it on your skin for 10-20 minutes and rinse it off in the shower.
P.S. If you are curious to discover what food and lifestyle choices and Yoga style to practice for your specific mind-body type, the first step is to take my Dosha quiz and discover your Ayurvedic Dosha – your mind-body type!
You will then receive some practical tips & recommendation on which foods, lifestyle habits and Yoga style are best for your specific Dosha.
