Grounding in Qigong and Reiki

Recently my qigong instructor Sifu Wing Cheung reminded his students of the health benefits of grounding, or “earthing” when practicing qigong. It occurred to me that the same is true for Reiki practioners, and perhaps even more so. The following is the substance of Sifu’s email. https://taichi18.com/ What is Grounding?
Grounding, or earthing, is connecting your body with the earth’s surface. How many of us actually walk barefoot or touch our skin to earth on a daily basis? Most people in developed countries have lost this vital connection with the earth’s energy due to synthetic soled shoes, and non-conductive building materials. Fortunately, “earthing” for health is becoming more widely understood, with many resources available. https://www.amazon.com/Earthing-Most-Important-Health-Discovery/dp/1591203740

The earth can be thought of as a giant battery, charged by the sun and atmosphere and carrying a negative charge. Contact with the earth’s surface can neutralize damaging free radicals our bodies produce, and carrrying all manner of positive health benefits. Walking barefoot, sitting on the ground, lying on the beach and swimming in the ocean release the earth’s negative ions into the body. A published study in the Journal of Environmental Health reviews the therapeutic advantages of grounding (Earthing/Health) and reports:
“Mounting evidence suggests that the Earth’s negative potential can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all body systems.” This includes strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation, and providing healing treatment of asthma, arthritis, auto-immune diseases, and cancer. It relieves muscle tension and headaches, and reduces stress by regulating cortisol which in turn promotes relaxation and better sleep.

How does this relate to Reiki or Qigong? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, each part of the foot links to a specific body part, connecting all of the organs and meridians which carry qi throughout our body.
When we connect and receive the earth qi through the Yong Quan at the bottom of our feet, we draw in the healing benefits of the earth’s electro-magnetic properties. As we offer Reiki, the healing properties of earthing help to keep our bodies clear from absorbing negative energies from the person we’re offering healing to. This can be as simple as thinking “I am a hollow reed”, allowing excess or stagnant energy to exit through the Yong Quan on the soles of our feet.

Sifu Cheung goes on to suggest a detoxing practice:
Find a peaceful, sunny spot, and practice 3 Lines Relaxation with bare feet on the earth. Link for the 3 Lines Relaxation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SclPRkS_V84&list=PLxt7f6ctOg5HY93Te6c4KIluDTZmZXhzv&index=4 (If weather or terrain is not favorable, you may also practice indoors with your feet immersed in a bucket of saltwater. Use water at a comfortable temperature and add enough pure sea salt or Himalayan salt to mimic sea water. Practice the 3 Lines Relaxation with your feet in the water. When you finish, make sure you flush the water away.)