The Spiritual Practice of Earth Salutation

Earth Salutation: A Grounding Connection to Mother Earth

Earth Salutation is a gentle ritual that reminds us of our deep connection to Mother Earth. For many practitioners, this sequence fosters a profound sense of grounding and alignment. Many choose to practice it before starting their standing Sun Salutations.

In this article, we will explore the essence of Earth Salutation, its personal and collective benefits, its message, and practice.

Understanding Our Nature

The Earth Salutation was born from a compassionate response to the fatigue that some students display during morning practices. Traditional masters recommend practicing during the sun's transitional hours: at dawn, just before sunrise, or at sunset, the time after the sun has retreated. Some instructors even speak of brahma muhurta — the hours just before and following sunrise. During this time, the body tends to be particularly rigid, and the mind is calmer. Transitioning directly from a horizontal position to a static sitting or standing position (like Lotus or Samasthiti) can feel aggressive. This is especially true in the morning or during the colder seasons when sunlight is limited.

I believe this approach emerged in an era where spirituality was tied to mortifying the body as a pathway to transcendence.

A New Perspective: The "Aquarian" Approach

Astrology heralds the arrival of the Age of Aquarius, emphasized by the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21, 2020. In this new age, there is a push to honor the Divine Feminine. Humanity is slowly reawakening to the grace, strength, and fluid nature inherent in the female body. The female body acts as a conduit, connecting us to higher levels of consciousness. This period also marks a transition away from viewing God as an external entity. The separation we once accepted is becoming obsolete; inclusivity is now the emerging trend. Everything begins to flow and change.

Disconnecting from our natural circadian rhythm leads to signs of anxiety, insomnia, and physical ailments. Conversely, aligning our bodies with the earth’s frequency enables healing and enhances vitality. The earth generates an electromagnetic resonance and vibration, felt through our bones. The Schumann resonance, typically around 7.83 Hertz, is a frequency created by lightning strikes that charge the earth. This frequency is slower compared to the hustle and bustle of life on the surface, which is perpetually stimulating and fraught with information overload.

Tuning into the earth's natural resonances helps us remedy our disconnection, akin to a fetus feeling its mother’s heartbeat while in the womb. Embracing the Earth Salutation signifies prioritizing slowness and honoring our natural rhythms. It serves as a devotion to a pace slower than societal demands.

Many seasoned practitioners sometimes forget the fundamental reason for their devotion: slow - ing - do - wn. By connecting more of our bodies to the ground, even the floor of our home, we tap into layers of our consciousness linked to a universal frequency. This transcends each day's tasks and reminds us that we are here to slow down our internal processes. We realize we are never alone and are perpetually supported by the Great Mother. The earth is a foundation we should cherish and not take for granted.

The Message Behind Earth Salutation

The Earth Salutation carries a powerful political message. It emphasizes the need to recognize and empower a force that remains undervalued and often suppressed: the feminine. The earth's ecosystem and the female body experience constant exploitation and manipulation. Often, they are not given the autonomy they deserve to evolve naturally. This isn’t a call to feminist separatism but rather a reflection on the historical dominance of the “white man.”

Spiritual practices have, for ages, favored masculine energy over feminine. This imbalance often manifests in the teaching of starting practice with the Sun Salutation, as seen in many traditional schools. Instead, I propose that we honor Mother Earth first, followed by Father Sun. This shift sends a clear message: it’s time to create space for the feminine channel, the very essence that often incites fear.

The Feminine embodies our intuition, creativity, and things that defy clear definition. It represents our senses, our unconsciousness, and all things we struggle to quantify or control. It is a powerful, yet underestimated tool that helps us explore and understand reality, much like masculine energy.

In this changing world, establishing a balance is crucial. It’s a personal journey to address discrepancies that have persisted for centuries, now ingrained within our inner beings.

Practicing Earth Salutation

I have created two versions of the Earth Salutation practice:

• A simple version to open and close your practice.

• A denser version, synthesizing a full practice.

  
  

Watch the Simple Version

In both versions, you start by sitting on your knees in Vajrasana at the back of the mat. The sequence unfolds as you bring more areas of your body to the ground. Within the initial 10 minutes, you root your heart, pelvis, belly, shoulders, neck, and even your head. This can be viewed as a complete micro-sequence on an energetic level, stimulating both yin and yang energies and activating all the chakras.

Watch the Full Version

An Invitation to Discover the Yoga Within

I invite everyone to find their unique method to share this message. Design your own Earth Salutation. We need more authentic practices reflected in our relationships and our walks upon this magnificent planet.

Namasté,

Carolina