Root to Rise
As one of the tallest plants, trees literally reach for the sun. Not only do their trunks extend towards the sky, but their branches contain leaves that open up to the sun during the day. It is quite a site to see.
Before we recognize the tree in all its majesty, however, there is a process beneath the surface that ensures it is supported for expansion. Between conception and sprouting, the tree establishes its roots. Roots serve as an anchor and transports nourishment from the earth to the rest of the tree. In essence, roots give the rest of the tree what it needs to stand tall.
In the context of yoga, a strong foundation is required for standing postures. With balancing poses, in particular, firm footing gives room for extension throughout the rest of the body and allows you to maintain groundedness even in altering situations.
Rooting down is best described as distributing the weight evenly in the:
base of the big toe
base of the pinky toe
inner heel
outer heel
Each time you begin your standing postures by rooting down, you may begin to notice how energy extends throughout the rest of the body. Like a tree, this is what is meant by rooting to rise!
Namaste