In the Kundalini yoga tradition, it is believed that the seat of your personal power or your feeling of groundedness lies in your first or root chakra. All styles of yoga include exercises that will help you connect with your inner strength. You'll be able to draw on what you've learned to ground yourself. While performing Hatha yoga, for example, you begin your session with Mountain pose. With your feet firmly planted on the floor, you learn to become as resolute and solid as a mountain grounded in the earth.
Practicing the slow and graceful martial art called Tai Chi is an effective way to become grounded. You focus on your structural alignment by taking the Wu Chi posture, which is not unlike the Mountain pose in yoga. From this rooted stance, you begin flowing movements that, if practiced with mindfulness, will help you shed your feelings of scatteredness or helplessness. Tapping into your chi or life force to help you stay connected and present in the moment is one of the goals of this ancient exercise. When you practice Tai Chi consistently, you become more centered and grounded.
Hiking in the wild or a greenbelt close to home will give you a chance to get away from it all while getting in touch with yourself. Connecting with the natural world has been proven to reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness. The present-moment awareness that arises while you put one foot in front of the other leads to the kind of inner-peace that fosters feelings of groundedness.
Practicing various breathing techniques either on their own or in combination with short sessions of meditation will help you feel more grounded and calmer. Learning to control your breath instead of letting it control you is key. Anxiety and stress tend to make you breathe rapidly and shallowly; learning to breathe from the bottom of your lungs will increase your ability to stay grounded in any situation. If you have no interest in yoga but still want to learn the breathing exercises, do so from a qualified yoga instructor.
