“Nature is the direct expression of the divine imagination.” - John O’Donohue
As social animals, we have suffered greatly during this past year of distancing, isolation, and lockdowns. For the earth, however, the pandemic offered Mother Nature a break from the stress of our human presence. The environmental effects of pandemic lockdowns are numerous and worldwide: reduced emissions from decreased traffic, lower levels of noise pollution, and a significant drop in seismic waves—vibrations that travel through the ground. Ocean waters became quiet as cruise ships were docked, creating less underwater noise pollution and reduced stress for sea life. Even the health of the canals in Venice, Italy improved with less human activity. Gondolas and other boat traffic typically pollute the water by stirring up mud from the bottom of the canals. With lockdowns, Venice experienced the cleanest water in 60 years, with increased sightings of swans and fish in its ports and canals.
As quickly as the earth was given an opportunity to relax, human activity is ramping up again. The hum of our lives is starting to escalate, with traffic levels rising, people traveling, and factories reopening. Although our activity is not back to pre-pandemic levels, there is little doubt that humans will continue to have a significant impact on the natural world. Even as human life emerges slowly from isolation, we cannot yet predict the rhythm of our new normal. There are some who anticipate a frenzied period of economic prosperity similar to the “Roaring Twenties” that followed the flu pandemic of 1918. With that prosperity, however, comes a rise in our human footprint on the face of the earth with increased pollution, noise, and disruption. As soon as it started, Mother Nature’s break seems to have come to a screeching halt.
Perhaps before our activity escalates to pre-pandemic levels we can pause to consider our own personal relationship with the earth. While not all of us have the time, resources, or energy to devote to environmental advocacy, we can benefit by noticing how we interact with nature. What did the pandemic lockdowns teach you about your relationship with the earth? More time spent at home allowed some people to be outside more often. Over the past year, foot traffic in neighborhoods has increased, with more people walking and riding bikes. People are showing a renewed interest in the natural world, as evidenced by an increased demand for backyard bird feeders and vegetable gardens, as well as outdoor pursuits such as kayaking and camping. How has your relationship with nature changed during a time when our frenzied world slowed down and gave Earth a much needed pause?
Our practice this week provides an opportunity to explore our relationship with the earth through the yogic practice of rooting down to rise up, frequently referred to as grounding. This is a paradoxical action that takes awareness and practice to truly experience and understand. Grounding is the process of pushing down through the feet or the hands in order to create lift that promotes lengthening of the spine. The solidity of the earth’s surface gives our hands and feet something to press against. The more stable the surface, the stronger you can press and the more muscle you’ll activate. You can try this by placing your hands up against a wall: as you press into the surface, notice how the muscles in your arms and shoulders engage. We experience this in our legs when walking on concrete, which provides a stable surface for our feet to press against. Compare that to walking in a swamp that is muddy and squishy with no stable surface. Just as a plant needs deep roots in order to grow taller, the strength to root firmly into the earth allows us to extend and lengthen with stability.
We can’t escape the density of our physical body, nor can we hide from the hazards found in our natural world—viruses included. There is no doubt that our physical world is less expansive than the endless boundaries of our imagination, but it is the solidity of Mother Nature that keeps us grounded, contained, and connected. Reconnect with the beauty and fragility of Earth with your practice tonight by “coming into” your body through Earth Salutations. The practice will provide numerous opportunities in which you can practice activating the muscles in your legs and arms by pressing against the solidity of the earth. We’ll move slowly and intentionally, rooting down to rise up, then lowering back to earth for the safety it offers.
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