Embody Earth

An Exquisite Alignment with Gravity

RELATIONSHIP

Every second of our lives, we are in relationship to earth and gravity. As embodied human explorers, the potency of earth's gravity is not a small thing. It is a huge thing. Felt in our bodies, its power is one of the most insistent and consistent forces in our lives. We are held by gravity. It moves on us and thorough our whole bodies. It holds us to the earth with just the right amount of pressure. Gravity is always with us—and as such, we don't pay too much attention to its sensational gifts.

THE POSSIBILITY

When actively explored, gravity's force can be experienced as sensual and relaxing. A natural blanket of support, earth's gravity provides a loving embrace, holding us tenderly and persistently on the planet. Its soft pressure contains us and nurtures our very ability to move and function. Without earth and gravity, we don't even become human beings. Earth is required.

INNER TOUCH

Within our bodies, gravity stimulates movement in response to its compression. It sets in motion inner processes of touch—cell to cell, tissue to tissue—that encourage feeling and action through the whole body. In a balanced and reciprocal relationship, our inner buoyancy responds and matches earth's deep touch. It is just right. The upward and outward force of our body's form matches perfectly with gravity's pressure and pull. We are alive and in intimate relationship with a primary force of nature.

TO RESIST OR NOT TO RESIST

Sometimes, in an effort to protect ourselves from negative experiences, we find ourselves resisting gravity. Our whole bodies often need to rally to overcome an immediate danger or a very real threat. This is natural and important to survival. However, if we don't release the tension appropriately, the state of physical restriction can stay with us long after the threat has subsided. This can create an armoring and hardening in the body that short-circuits our ability to feel and enjoy gravity's nurturant sensations.

CHOOSING ENGAGEMENT

Choosing to enter into an active relationship with gravity's dynamics allows us to feel its full force flowing through us. We can learn to recognize how to respond to its containing touch without resistance. When allowed, gravity's flow can feel delightful. When resisted it can feel heavy, even debilitating.

Defying gravity just doesn't work. Resisting it can cause real discomfort. In the effort to feel light, alive, and bright, we may want to go the other way; rather than resist, we may want to yield to gravity. In yielding, we release the struggle and have a chance to begin to feel greater ease and comfort.

The best method for finding ease in the field of gravity is to make a deal with it. Yield to it. Choose to enter into alignment with gravity's forces. Not to resist, but to join. Go with the flow. Yielding to gravity is first. Find your embodied resilience through gravity's inner touch. Once you feel its soft deep insistence, your cells wake up to the inner touch. They flow with increased freedom and sensitivIty.

Photo: Crescent Beach, Maine | Peter Cohen | @vettaman64