Grounding Here

Yin Practice Lab #6: Elemental Mindfulness

A reflection, a poem, and a practice for paid subscribers

Dear Reader,

Before anything else: thank you.

Your support of this work means more than I can say. These posts and practices emerge from the messy, luminous ground of ongoing inquiry—and your presence makes that process feel less lonely, and more like a shared path. Thank you for walking it with me.

This week’s Yin Practice Lab is called Grounding Here. It’s rooted in the Earth element, but it also gestures toward something deeper I keep circling:

That when we’re grounded—truly grounded—something else begins to emerge.

Grounded-ness (Earth) gives rise to discernment (Metal)—the kind that knows what to keep and what to release. From discernment, a deeper reflection (Water) becomes possible. Reflection supports healthy boundaries and forward growth (Wood). And that growth creates space for joy and aliveness (Fire), without forcing anything to happen.

It’s a quiet progression that follows a generative cycle. Sometimes invisible.

I notice it most when I’m practicing consistently. And when I’m not consistent, I drift—into striving, fixing, overthinking.

But even then, the invitation is simple: return.

Not to an ideal. Just to the ground beneath this breath.

So this week’s practice is just that: a return. Not to master something. Just to meet what’s already holding you.

And here’s a simple poem to accompany your practice.

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What Still Holds

When the map is no longer useful,
when every line leads to loss,
when your faith in the system of things
crumbles like wet clay—
let the ground take you.

Let it hold your shaking.
Let it hear your silence.
Let it say nothing,
because nothing needs saying.

The ground does not cure your sorrow.
It will not finish your sentence.

But it will listen.
It will stay.

And if you let it,
it will show you
what steadiness feels like again.

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If this reflection speaks to something in you, I invite you to continue with the full practice below. For paid subscribers, this week's Yin session is a quiet, grounding ritual to return to what's already holding you.

And if you’re not yet a paid subscriber—but this rhythm of reflection, poetry, and practice is supporting your life—you’re warmly welcome to join.

🧘 Yin Practice Lab #6: Grounding Here
A 60-minute Yin Yoga session exploring the Earth element through deeply supportive postures like Cat-Tail, Bananasana and Half-Butterfly.

It’s not about fixing or escaping—it’s about sensing the quiet, sacred ground beneath it all.

With steadiness,
Josh