In light of our main theme for April - grounding - and the exciting launch of my Lower Body Rehab Program coming in May, today’s blog post is centred on something I’m incredibly passionate about: grounding the physical body. More specifically - building from the ground up.
From your feet, through your knees and hips, right into your core - this is your foundation. And without a strong foundation, everything else starts to feel off balance.
But because this is also a deeply personal journey for me, I’d like to share a bit of my own story.
Not perfection. Just reconnection
Last year was a tough one - as I know it was for many of us. My health took a knock in every possible way. I struggled with persistent gut issues, which I later realised stemmed from neglecting the basics - like eating intentionally and nourishing my body.
On top of that, I dealt with chronic pain. My joints ached. My muscles constantly felt fatigued. I was drained most days. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and placed on chronic medication.
And for a while, I gave in to it. I accepted the diagnosis and the belief that this was just how things were going to be. I stopped taking responsibility for my body. And emotionally, that broke me even more. I felt completely out of alignment - not just in my physical body, but in who I was.
As a Biokineticist and Pilates instructor, I’ve always been passionate about helping others take ownership of their health - to move better, feel better, and live with intention. But here I was, doing the exact opposite. Living in denial.
Because - as I mentioned in my first blog - it’s so much easier to throw ourselves into helping others than it is to face our own stuff. But that disconnect became my turning point.
And it was never a big, profound moment where I turned everything around at once. It was (and still is) a slow and steady return. A daily choice to show up for myself. To move. To eat with intention. To prioritise sleep. To hydrate. To pause. And listen to what my body is trying to say over and over again.
Those decisions still don’t come naturally every day - but I’ve learned to be conscious of them. To respect my body enough to check in. And that’s exactly what I want to encourage you to do too.
But first, we need understanding. And that starts by returning to the base - from the ground up.
The Physical Side of Grounding
Most of us don’t realise just how much our lower body contributes to our overall stability - not just physically, but mentally too.
When your feet lack support, your knees are overcompensating, your hips are tight, or your posture is off, it can leave you feeling unbalanced in more ways than one.
A few signs you might not be fully grounded in your body:
- You feel wobbly or unbalanced while walking or exercising
- You often shift your weight from side to side when standing
- You experience recurring pain in your knees, hips, or lower back
- Your movements feel disconnected, stiff, or misaligned
Your lower body literally holds you up - it’s your contact point with the earth. So when that foundation is unstable, everything above it has to work harder to keep you upright.
Why This Matters More Than You Might Think
Think of a tree. No matter how strong its branches are, if its roots aren’t anchored deep in the soil, it sways with the wind. (Cliché, I know - but leaf me alone.)
Your body works the same way.
That feeling of internal chaos or disconnection you might be experiencing? It’s not always just stress or overthinking.
Sometimes, it’s your body trying to tell you: “I’m not grounded.” And the more physically connected we are to our bodies - especially through intentional movement - the more emotionally and mentally grounded we become. There’s something powerful about moving with purpose.
This Is the Heart of My New Program
When I designed the Lower Body Rehab Program, it wasn’t just about pain relief (though that’s a big part of it). It was about reconnection. Reconnection to your body, to your strength, to your foundation.
Because movement isn’t just functional - it’s deeply emotional. It affects how we show up in the world. It shapes our confidence, our posture, our energy.
And one thing I’ve come to realise is how quickly we can become disconnected from our physical bodies. In a world where mental health is (rightfully) a growing conversation, we sometimes forget just how much our physical health influences our mental well-being.
So this week, I want to gently encourage you:
Pay attention to that knee that’s been clicking for months. That hip that always feels tight. That lower back pain that you’ve learned to ignore.
Your body might be shouting for your attention - asking to be made a priority again. Because when we start to heal and strengthen from the ground up, we don’t just feel better.
We feel rooted.
In our bodies.
In our choices.
In ourselves.
Order always follows chaos. That’s all for now.
Love, Dani
