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The Ground Truth

Drawing of a child in Warrior 3 pose, balancing on one leg with the body and other leg stretched level and hands resting on a dotted chair outline
Warrior III With Intention

Have you ever heard the term “The Ground Truth”?

Spies say it when they want to know what really went down, no cover-ups and no interpretations. Apparently in life or death spy situations it’s important to know the ground truth in order to move forward in the mission. In NASA, the ground truth is part of the calibration process where a person on the ground makes a measurement of the same thing the satellite is trying to measure at the same time. The two answers are then compared to help evaluate how well the satellite instrument is performing.

Ground Truth
ground truth

Both definitions relate to yoga in that we aim to be transparent and finely tuned. John Friend explains that “In practicing and teaching Anusara yoga, the intention is to align with the flow of Grace, to awaken to the truth that our essential nature is part of this divine flow, and to lovingly and joyfully serve this flow.” In Grounded, we teach kids how to recognize this Ground Truth about themselves and each other so that knowing they are divine, tapping into their authenticity and serving the world from that sincere place is just a way of life. By the time we are adults, many of us are afraid to own our light, let alone shine it as bright as we can and finding our personal ground truth is hard work.

It’s easier to just not see things about ourselves (did my words crush your spirit?) or the world (genocide didn’t end with the Holocaust) or those we pass on the street (we are connected). Too often we only reveal whatis already protected and only open up to what we’ve prepared to handle. Awareness is only the first step. Upholding the truth takes warrior like courage and dedication.

The ground truth is that we all have tremendous power AND the responsibility to uplift one another with our words, influence politics and create peace through our actions and connect in a soulful way with strangers.

To set intentions for the New Year join us in listing the truths you’re willing to be a warrior for. What do you already know for sure and what ground truths will you seek in 2025? To state the obvious, finding the ground truth begins with being grounded. As the spies would say, this is your mission should you choose to accept it.

Prepare your body and mind for this mission with the Grounded pose, Warrior III with Intention. From Straight Leg Lunge inhale and stretch your arms forward. Stay parallel to the floor with your palms together. Interlace your fingers, extending your pointer fingers for the Intention Mudra. Exhale and lift your back leg as you shift your weight forward, both legs straight and strong. Inhale and hug into your midline, the center of the body where your core truth exists. Exhale and extend from your core in all directions so that your intention is powered by truth. Release back to Straight Leg Lunge. Jump switch and repeat on the other side.

More to Explore

  • Rock Paper Scissors

    In the business of life, we tend to get contracted, even with our yoga practice. We want to be aligned, with good form and practice these principles in sequential order. At times, all of those details can bog us down. Bring playfulness into your yoga practice and think of it like a game. See what part of you is winning in certain poses. Steadiness, Spacious Breath, Hugging the Midline? The directions for Warrior 1 Up are here, but don’t stop there. Think Rock, Papers with each pose and notice what becomes more clear.

  • Salutations

    Charlotte’s Web is a celebration of the quiet virtues. It reminds us to keep a soft tender heart, accept our true nature, and value the unique gifts of our friends. The two main characters of Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte and Wibur, highlight the awareness of our own unique inner story.
    Charlotte, the spider, represents our highest self who provides wisdom and help from above. She reminds us that we are never alone. She provides a higher, bigger perspective from her vantage point high up in the rafters. She brings a calm wisdom into an anxious situation, bolstering Wilbur’s self image by spelling out his best aspects. She represents our INHALE.
    Become sensitive and aware of your breath.
    Wibur, the pig, represents our vulnerable self that is at the center of our awareness. Wilbur is consistently caring and engaging. He forms a bond with Charlotte because he sees her beauty. He is accepting and compassionate and joyfully celebrates life. He represents our EXHALE.

  • Pre-Grounded In Pre-School: Tips, Clips and Real Yoga Sips

    It’s summer break for College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center in Decatur where I’ve been teaching Pre-Grounded Yoga classes to the entire school, ages 1 – 4. Being the official yoga teacher is an honor, very rewarding, and a whole lot of work. Stephany Fair (co-creator of Pre-Grounded) and I agree that being the very first person to introduce yoga to someone is a priveledge we hope more people willexperience. Here are some practical pointers based on my time teaching little ones to breathe, meditate and move their bodies in such a way that they are grounded, connected and peaceful. {“video”:”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NCqkJx3-SE&feature=youtu.be”,”width”:”400″,”height”:”300″}