Roots. The word itself just evokes a very raw, earthy, unrefined essence of life. Roots; a dope band, the base of a tree, and anchor in history of our family origins. But, really, the word is inherently and universally bound to the ground. It is foundation. It is the beginnings of growth. In yoga, it's not uncommon to hear the phrase "root down to rise up" particularly surrounding the instruction of poses such as Mountain (Tadasana) and Tree (Vrksasana). Mountains and trees, of course, yes "rooting" makes sense. We ground down through our feet to lift through the head. To stabilize. To stand strong. We root and we rise. The same goes for when we're upside down, seated, or kneeling; we root through our hands or forearms.
It's not just about yogis, though. Our relationship with the ground, with being grounded and with rooting comes in many forms. Runners often discuss, study and work on foot strike. Quite literally how they hit the ground running. The strike is important to the ability to accelerate off the ground. The root to the rise. For cyclists, they have a machine between them and the ground. The wheels, the spokes, the handlebars, the gears and brakes all play a role in how they stay balanced on the bike and how they get it to move forward, side, up or down. How they stay on while still moving forward. Swimmers aren't even on the ground, but you better believe that they are concerned with their ability to control their buoyancy in the water that keeps them above the ground. Gymnasts have their perfect landings... you get the idea. Our relationship with ground is so unbelievably important in existence and because of that, in sport. Well, for one, because of gravity. We have a pretty special and downright forceful relationship with it (all puns pretty much always intended). It brings us down whether we need it or want it to. In fact, except during our teenage years, being and staying grounded is a great thing. And, teenage years included, being grounded allows for so much growth and rise.
Let's go back to yoga. I find it to be most powerful both literally and metaphorically is in the practice of backbends also known as heart openers. May not sound obvious at first as many people think of a backbend as just that—the back bends backwards. However, a backbend starts from the ground up, that is, from the roots and it is continuous arc of the body from there. In order to allow the spine to curve evenly and the chest to open, the foundation has to be super strong. A standing backbend begins from the feet, a kneeling backbend from the knees, and upside down backbend from the hands or forearms. Once the feet, knees, forearms, or hands are firm, then the movement can continue to move throughout the rest of the body through the part of the backbend most recognizable as such. That is the literal. Powerful from a physical standpoint and really can change the way you practice these types of poses.
The figurative, for me, is so much more powerful, though. Think about it. Backbends are heart openers. They can cause emotions to come pouring out, they make our heart race, they can make us dizzy, and bring out feelings of vulnerability. And we [literally] have to root down in order to fully express the opening of the chest, then figuratively that teaches us so much. If we're going to explore opening our hearts, we should work on our grounding, our roots. Opening your heart brings up emotions, it can make your heart race, it can make you feel dizzy and vulnerable. All of these are scary things that are made slightly less scary when you feel firmly planted. Growth and rise are made easier by a solid foundation. And it goes beyond emotions to business as well. I hope you hear me, entrepreneurs.
I know that as a natural born hustler and wanderer feeling too rooted can be frightening beyond belief. I get it. Does that mean I am locked in and stuck where I am rooted down? Absolutely not. It just means that you better get your foundation right, son! Put in the work at the roots. Build. Plant yourself so hard that when you, strike, pedal, swim, leap, flip, bend or whatever you're doing that you are confident in your ability to be fully open to whatever happens. Grind from the ground. Shoot up from the root up.
