Walk Thought: Root to Rise

Feb 9

“Walk Thoughts” are just as their name suggests - thoughts spurred on through time when my feet are grounded on the earth and my hair is blowing in the wind; moving in nature and being moved by nature. These are candid thoughts of mine brought on by conversations with others, books, podcasts, music, or simply time of solitude. Though these thoughts are somewhat clinical in nature, they are held with an open palm, as they are designed to provoke MORE thought and may not be fully completed thoughts yet. Enjoy growing with me as we explore this together!

One of my favorite forms of cross-training for my trail running and hiking adventures is yoga. It is rejuvenating for the mind and body while being equally challenging (as evidenced by my frequent bumbling and falling). I am also blessed to have a few close friends who happen to be outstanding yoga teachers, creating playful, intentional, and empowering environments for movement. They also don't kick me out when I laugh at myself, so that is a bonus!

If you have ever been to a yoga class, you know that the teacher frequently gives cues to help you attune to your mind and body as you progress through the session. As someone with a tendency to allow my mind to wander outside of the four corners of my mat, these reminders help me to stay focused and mindful throughout the practice. Recently, a specific prompt has resonated with me: “ROOT to RISE.”

“Root to rise” is a phrase used to signal a transition, typically from a folded, close-bodied position to a standing, more open stance such as Tadasana (mountain pose). The expression begs the question - what does it meet “to root?”

My initial response is to relate the act of rooting to waking up first thing in the morning. Not the, “Oh no! I’m late,” panicked arousal. Rather, the fully-rested, ready to get up and face the day sort of morning (parents of young children - stay strong - I recognize those days are few and far between). On those days, I picture myself “taking root” by giving the body a little good morning stretch, then letting the legs hang off the side of the bed for a moment before my feet and toes wiggle their way down to the floor.

In yoga, I find rooting to be the impact and awareness of those same ten piggy-toes all pressing down into the mat beneath me, almost as if to dig through the mat, creating a base that elongates and strengthens the rest of the body from the bottom, up. Simplified, rooting can be seen as a cyclical pattern:

AWARENESS -> MOVEMENT -> FURTHER AWARENESS -> FURTHER MOVEMENT.

Rooting does seem to be reminiscent of the concept of awakening in the broader sense of the word, be it spiritual, emotional, or physical. Awakening can be defined as, “the act of moment of becoming suddenly aware of something, or coming into existence or awareness.” As aforementioned, this yoga cue tends to be associated with an impending transition. When I think about becoming “suddenly aware,” it does seem to evoke thoughts and feelings about shifting and changing, such as…

I did not know how, and now I do.
I did not realize the pattern, and now I am noticing it.
I was there, now I feel the need to be here.
I was confused, and now I am coming into understanding.
I was close-minded, and I can see that now.

I believe humans have a propensity for stability and steadiness within our lives. [I will note here that stability and steadiness for some looks like chaos and distress to others, because that may be all they have ever known (therefore, implying stability and steadiness). To each person, what we consider to be stable or steady is individualized.] I think this comes from our instinct to want to be fully-knowing (and maybe even fully-known). So, when we experience a new awakening, it can sometimes be a powerful and/or off-putting flavor. In sessions with my clients, I often describe this concept by relating it to the Febreze commercials about being “nose-blind.” It is easy to fall nose-blind to certain truths in our lives, and the impact of that first whiff of reality can feel overwhelming. We may notice what feels like “fighting it,” similar to resisting that initial contact with the cold floor early in the morning.

A bit of self-disclosure to this point: Currently, I am noticing myself reaching my own roots deep into the earth - into what feels safe and familiar, embracing and unchanging - as I prepare for the exposure and risk of rising up. Frankly, I am preparing for the biggest transition of my life thus far, and my whole-being is aware of that. My current “rooting” looks like fostering really precious moments with my friends, caring more about impact and less about logistics and “logic,” leaning into what I’ve learned of myself over the past several months, and taking note of the qualities of rooting such as gentleness, patience, strength, grounding, and embodiment.

Rooting provides the nourishment required to grow stronger, taller, and even to become fruitful. In order to weather the elements, to endure and remain, rooting is essential. Have you ever seen a root system of an overturned tree? They are incredible and expansive. And in visualizing this, I think it is only fair to notice that rooting does not prevent us from falling.

But, before we can even consider falling, we must rise. Rising can be defined as, “movement from a lower position to a higher one, and to be restored to life.” In yoga, we come out of our folded posture to stand vulnerably with our heart open, grounding down as we spiral our chest upward, shining towards the sun. Rising is a risk. But can you imagine if the giant sequoia trees never lifted their branches, and rather just hid beneath the earth? Or if tulips remained only as stems? They would miss out on their true purpose and design. You see where I am going here… WE would miss out on our true purpose and design. And so, weigh the risks: is it better to cower and certainly miss out on the fullness of life in the name of stability and security, or to rise with the potential of falling AND the infinite possibility of what exists beyond what you currently know?