How do you relate to the Earth? Humans have an intimate connection to the Earth, as do all the plants and animals on the planet. We evolved to survive on this planet. However, humans can consciously hone their connection to the Earth by cultivating their powers of observation and experience. As a geologist, yoga teacher and fitness instructor, I have chosen a path of knowledge that cultivates my body and mind for Earth observation, which has helped me to develop a deeper appreciation for the Earth.
How do we sense our location on Earth? Think about how you know if you are walking uphill or downhill, or into a headwind. Our bodies are adapted to life on Earth, interacting with its surface, heat, light, air, chemical reactions, and gravity. The human body is well adapted to survive on Earth, the only planet that provides us with all the resources and nutrients we need to live. We develop our bodies and senses to better relate to and observe the Earth. I had scientific field and laboratory training to make detailed visual observations, use smell and taste as identification tools, and use my body as a tool to understand its location in space. As a geologist, I am constantly aware of my location on the Earth. The way my legs react to gravity tells me if I am walking uphill or downhill. I can also determine my orientation relative to north by being aware of the sun warming my back and the shape of my shadow. When I am far enough north of the equator and the sun is at my back near noon, I know I am roughly facing north. If you are in the coastal ranges of California, orienting your body so that your back is to the sun and parallel to the length of the mountains and valleys, you will find that you can reorient your body to face northwest as you move along the terrain. As you move across latitudes, you will learn what climate changes to expect and how the weather will affect your body. Our bodies are observing instruments, and there are instructions on the science and movement practices that can help you become more aware of your place on Earth.
How can we increase our physical ability to move on Earth? I have studied extensively how the body moves through bone alignment, muscle work, and ligament and fascial support. Through alignment and focused work, I can improve my balance, refine my posture, and train my body to support the movements I desire to use to explore the world we live in. By fine-tuning my sense of balance, postural awareness, and movement patterns, I have further honed my body to recognize subtle changes in the atmosphere, the movement of the ground, my body’s orientation, the muscles and bones that support me, whether I am still or in motion. My vision and sense of position enhance the images that form in my mind as I balance with my surroundings. I am an observational instrument honed by time, focus, repetition, and education.
How can we improve our sensory abilities? I have honed my physical senses to observe the world around me at various scales. Visually, I can use instruments to observe the microscopic organisms and landforms under my feet, as well as the gigantic objects in outer space. Learning how patterns develop in nature allows me to observe the process of Earth formation. The arrangement of minerals, the layers of rock, the rocks in which fossils are found, and the faults that form mountains are all patterns that reflect the history of the Earth. The Earth has evolved through the movement of continents, the formation of oceans, the uplift of mountains, the eruptions of volcanoes, and changes in climate. My knowledge of how the Earth formed through crustal collisions, faults, and the evolution of organisms provides a spatial structure to which I apply my physical orientation as I explore and deepen my understanding of my home planet. Wherever I go, I observe and experience patterns in nature, reflections of the Earth’s evolution.
How do you use your body to thank the Earth? Everything we use to support our bodies and civilization is made from the Earth’s resources. Everything around us comes from the Earth. The more we are grateful for our bodies, the food we eat, and the materials we use, the more we can appreciate the Earth. Humans are striving to better understand how to achieve a balanced environment that continues to support the ecosystems on which we depend. The ability to appreciate the Earth with our own finely honed observational instruments helps us find ways to live better on and with the Earth.
