Grounding

There is a holistic practice known as “grounding” or “earthing” that has gained a lot of attention in the past decade for so.  People write books about it, go on talk shows to explain it, even take natural supplements to enhance it.  Ok, I may have made that last one up, but it fits here, don’t you think?  Anyway, as I understand it, grounding is kind of a factory reset for your mind, body and spirit.  It’s basically connecting with the earth in some way, the most common form being to stand walk on the earth (not cement or asphalt) in bare feet.  

So, what does it do?  Well, according to Almighty Google, grounding or earthing, “suggests that the earth possesses a mild negative electrical charge…that by making direct contact, the body absorbs free electrons…which act as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.”  Did you catch all that?  The article I read points to several studies in recent years that prove some of these claims.  I have to admit, I love walking in the field next to our house in bare feet, but I also have to contend with a plethora of mole hills, which is a different kind of grounding entirely.

Do I believe that walking in the grass in bare feet for fifteen minutes can actually have amazing effects like reducing cortisol?  I don’t know.  But I can share how my martial arts experience over the past 40 years would suggest that there is truth be behind the theory.  You see, the majority of Japanese martial arts (budo) is not only practiced in bare feet, but most classes begin and end in a kneeling position known as seiza.  Typically,  regardless of style, sessions start and end with students and teacher facing each other this way.  There is a period of meditation before or after class in seiza.  While much of this as to do with discipline, posture and breathing mechanics, I believe there’s more to it.

In aikido (the “way” of harmony), every joint lock, pin and throw is learned and practiced from a kneeling position first.  Now, there’s a very practical reason for this and it has to do with the center of your body.  In Japanese budo, one's center of gravity is located about three inches below the navel and is called tanden.  This is one of the reasons why posture is so important.  You see, if your body is not aligned properly and your head is somehow off center, you are vulnerable.  And the best approach to teaching people about posture and grounding is in a proper kneeling position.  Furthermore, learning how to manipulate your body while attempting to control another person in a kneeling position is extremely difficult because you can’t rely on your legs or a good portion of your overall strength.  Hence, you either learn how to connect with and control your tanden, or you technique fails.  

In our dojo, I like to call this, “training from the ground up.”  And to be fair, it is very difficult for westerners who’ve spent their entire lives sitting in a chair.  Our joints and muscles are not conditioned for prolonged periods of seiza;  muscles and joints become stiff and sore and suddenly training is not fun or cool anymore.  In fact, after about 10-20 minutes of training in a kneeling position, you begin looking at the clock and reexamining your life choices.  But it’s in that moment where the real training happens.  That moment when your knees ache, your toes cramp and your technique sucks…that’s where the real training is and where grounding takes place.

I’m not just talking about biomechanics.  I’m talking about humbling yourself enough to train in an uncomfortable position where you are dealing with pain, repetitive movement, and the inability to make the techniques work for a long time, until your body, mind and spirit get accustomed to everything I mentioned.  And at some point, if you stick with it, you learn now to “sink” into the earth.  To relax and allow things to happen.  To blend with your partner.  To ground. And here’s the really cool part:  The more you spend time training from a kneeling position, the more effective you are in standing.  From the ground, you learn how to align your spine, control your breathing and center your mind.  Does it take forever?  Yes.  Will your joints ache, knees swell up a little?  Absolutely.  Will you go through extensive periods of frustration and self doubt?  100% yes.  On flip side, you gain unique perspective, increased strength and stamina in your legs and trunk, tenacity and…you are grounded like a stone wall...eventually. As it should be. Some things are still worth working and waiting for.

Friends, there is so much more to real martial arts training than winning competitions, bragging rights or having the notion that you can defend yourself with a few skills.  So much more.  Things like self-awareness, connection, calm, friendship and love for humanity.  So, you can take off your shoes and walk in some grass.  Or…you can take off your shoes and walk onto a mat.  If you ever want to try the latter, I know a guy….

Dave Magliano

Tatsu Dojo

Jissenkan Budo

Dojo Cho