Connecting your body to the ground is a fundamental principle applied to all stances during Kamae and Kime.

Increase your sensitivity of your body connection to the ground by "feeling" your energy flow. The following is just one method you can use to create this type of connection.

From a neutral standing posture, start by concentrating on the ball of your foot. Progressively move your thoughts to the big toe, then the small toe, the outer edge of the foot and finally the heel. By now you should have made an "ear shaped" energy line starting from the ball of the foot. Contin ue the flow of the energy line by moving it downwards into the floor in a corkscrew-like motion. Use your mind to continue this energy flow.

In essence, the flow of the energy line maintains balance, and keeps you connected to the ground. The ratio of the downward and upward energy line is dynamic, constantly adjusting adjusting to various tasks such as Kamae, body movement and Kime.

Generally speaking, the ratio of the flow will lean more towards the downward flow for Kime, and the upward for body movement.

I have often spoken about the use of correct standing posture, calling it a Reference Posture, a Balanced State or Inner Cylinder Lift, in an effort to approach the subject from various angles.

The purpose of posture exercises is to give you a reference "feel" for correct body alignment and breathing from a neutral standing position. Our aim is to translate this "feel" into your karate techniques and your daily life.

However, all this verbiage doesn't mean much when you are not training, or training thoughtlessly. If just adds more "garbage" in your mind's trivial information storage.

If you are training, however, words take on a special meaning. They strike you in the inner-self, giving you new insight. What you have been struggling with for a long time can suddenly become easy, or you get a certain realization or clarity you have never had before, which starts to reflect in yo ur techniques.

Then your training becomes a great source of pleasure. What we devote so much of our spirit to should be a life-long source of fun.