Today is the first in a four part series where we’re talking about the 4 Elements of Your Empowered Voice. Today we’re talking about the foundation element of Your Empowered Voice.
Grounding is the element of Stability for an Empowered Voice
What is Grounding? On a spiritual level, grounding is what connects us to the Earth and keeps us fully in our bodies, versus in our minds or in the ether. As human beings, we need this full body presence in order to live out our purpose on Earth. It keeps our energy tethered and centered. And bringing physical awareness of our bodies’ connection to the Earth, helps with our physical presence and how we use our physical voice.
The reason this element is important is because in order to be fully present and empowered in how we communicate, we must be in our bodies mentally and energetically. This affects the physical voice in a very real way as well. Some people think of the focus of the voice as being the throat. However, vocal cord vibration is nearly the last step the body goes through in order to vocally express a sound.
In order to make a sound efficiently, you must first have proper alignment of your body before your take a deep breath. Then you must control the exhalation of the breath using all your core muscles…starting from the pelvic floor muscles at the base of your torso. A strong stance with feet firmly on the ground makes it easier for the core muscles to accomplish this efficiently. Focusing the creative energy low in the body also helps to create an open passageway for the breath and vocal sound to easily move unconstrained, by loosening tension in the neck and shoulders.
While I’m speaking of the physical voice here, it also applies to the energetic body and how you express yourself energetically. If you are breathing shallowly, or not fully present in your body when you’re creating, your work will lack depth and power. Your brain and the cells in your body will literally lack the oxygen and blood flow needed to allow energy to flow.
There are many ways to practice grounding, depending on your particular body’s needs. One very basic way is to bring your awareness to how your body connects to the earth. Even if you’re inside, place your feet flat on the floor, and imagine the connection to the earth through the floor, through the basement, through the building’s foundation and into the earth. If you can, go outside barefoot in the grass. The key is that you need to bring conscious awareness to your connection to the earth in the same way. Going barefoot and being distracted isn’t going to be as deep a grounding practice as using conscious presence. I personally find water very grounding (perhaps because I have barely any water in my astrology). Taking a shower or bath, being near a body of water, or even just consciously washing my hands up to my elbows can help me ground and rid myself of excess energy.
So you can see why grounding is literally foundational for a healthy and empowered voice.
I also have a free grounding exercise you can view on YouTube, where I demonstrate the foundational technique I teach all my Your Empowered Voice clients.
Tell me in the comments…how grounded do you feel when you express yourself? What helps you feel grounded?
Want to get started working together? Schedule a call with me and let’s chat!