Double Your Benefits, Double Your Fun: Combining Earthing With Yoga

Yoga offers a laundry list of health benefits. So does earthing. Why not combine the two practices for a one-two punch of goodness? Here’s how you can do so and tips for connecting more deeply with Mother Earth when taking your flows outdoors. 

What Is “Earthing?”

Earthing, or grounding, refers to the act of standing barefoot on the naked earth, perhaps on a grassy patch, or, here in the desert, more often soil or rock [1]. Doing so connects you energetically with the ground beneath your feet, facilitating the flow of electrons between you and Mother Earth. 

According to Dr. James Oschman, biophysicist, this direct contact with the earth’s electrons neutralizes free radicals, acting like natural antioxidants [2]. 

What Are the Health Benefits of Earthing? 

You might already know that antioxidants are good for you because of their ability to nix free radicals. According to earthing aficionados, the benefits include better sleep, lowered pain levels, and faster recovery. However, the benefits of earthing aren’t confined to subjective patient reports. One 2015 study found that earthing reduced inflammatory biomarkers in just one hour. 

Another, more recent randomized clinical trial found that earthing mats reduced stress levels, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness [3]. Best of all, earthing is free — all you need is a natural patch of soil and your bare feet. How often do you find free healthcare like that in America these days? 

Combining Earthing With Outdoor Yoga to Multiply the Perks

Yoga, of course, is also fabulous for reducing stress and improving sleep quality, benefits that many of us today can definitely use [4]. Doubling the perks by combining your flows with earthing is as easy as taking your practice outside. 

Doing so may provide a trifecta of goodness. Simply soaking in the sun and breathing the fresh air can reduce stress and provide other mental health benefits, like improving executive attention [5,6]. 

Tips for Making the Most of Your Combo

I began earthing with yoga out of necessity. I enjoyed practicing my flows on the rocks following a hike, and I didn’t like carrying a mat with me. However, a little prep and a few creature comforts can make combining yoga with earthing even more satisfying. 

1. Scope the Scene 

Put on your real estate agent hat if possible — location, location, location. Something with a spectacular view is nice (and not hard to find in Sedona), but there are other characteristics more crucial in selecting the right spot. 

First of all, is the surface comfy to your bare feet? Use the same caution you would when dipping your toe into the pool. Goatheads can hide in seemingly soft grass, and practicing on them isn’t fun. I speak from personal experience. 

Scope the entire sensory scene. Some people prefer the camaraderie and safety of practicing in a noisy area of a public park, while others prefer quieter locations. Funky smells can be hard to avoid outdoors if you live in the country near a dairy, but are there avoidable hazards, like a smoky barbecue on one side of the park but open space on the other? 

2. Wear Kick-Offable Shoes 

Dust sticks to bare feet and will stain your socks. I speak from experience. If you are of the inclination to keep your footwear pristine, wear shoes that are easy to kick on and off. 

If you walk or jog to your chosen spot, consider bringing a backup pair of socks. Putting on your old ones after they get all sweaty is ick. 

3. Dress for the Weather (and Remember, Safety First)

Earthing in January can be a little chilly here in the desert southwest. I don’t even want to imagine some colder areas of the planet. 

Dress for the weather, and keep your safety paramount. Remember, exposing your body to below-freezing temperatures can cause frostbite, and your extremities are often the first affected [7]. 

4. Keep a Towel Handy 

It’s understandable to want to leave your bulky mat at home. However, you can drape a towel around your shoulders. Pro-tip: Sticking it in the freezer first is a cool treat on a hot summer’s day. 

You want your bare feet against the earth when combining earthing with yoga. However, it’s helpful to have a clean(ish) cloth to wipe your face, your feet, or just to change your shoes on. 

Combining Earthing With Yoga 

Yoga offers multiple health benefits, including reducing stress and enhancing sleep. So does earthing. Combining the two practices could potentially multiply the benefits. Test the theory yourself by combining earthing with yoga the next time you practice, and tell us about your experience in the comments. With love and hope for healing, always. ~ J. 

References:

1. “What is earthing?” Earthing.com. N.d. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://www.earthing.com/pages/what-is-earthing

2. “Mayo Clinic earthing: The science 101.” PB Pressbooks. N.d. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://ubalt.pressbooks.pub/clinic/chapter/mayo-clinic-earthing-the-science-101/

3. Kim, So Hee, et. al. “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the improvement of sleep quality with Earthing mat.” Science Direct. January, 2025. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212958825000059

4. Bu, Zhi-jun, et. al. “Effects of various exercise interventions in insomnia patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ Journals. April, 2025. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://ebm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/07/09/bmjebm-2024-113512

5. “Nature and mental health: Why time outside helps you feel better.” Mass General Brigham McLean. N.d. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/nature

6. McDonald, Amy S, and Strayer, David L. “The influence of a walk in nature on human resting brain activity: a randomized controlled trial.” Nature. 2024. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78508-x

7. “Frostbite.” NHS. N.d. Accessed October 9, 2025, from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frostbite/