Boundless Body Tea Ceremony

There's an innate, deeply rooted connection that our bodies have to the earth. It's a sacred type of connection to the soil, to the land, and to the elements. We first find it in language. The word "human" derives from the word humus, meaning soil or earth. The same connection comes from the Hebrew word "adam," meaning humanity or humankind, encompassing both male and female. That same word is connected to the Hebrew word "adamah," meaning ground or earth.

So we also begin to see the connection spiritually. According to scripture, we were formed from the earth, and God breathed the breath of life into humanity, and we became living beings.

We know it in science, from the structure of our physical bodies. We're physically made up of essential minerals that our bodies need in order to function. Minerals that we get from our diet, which come from the soil, rocks, and water that are absorbed by the plants we eat as they grow, and by the animals that eat the plants.

And it was our first instruction. Genesis 1:28 says, "God Blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." The word subdue comes from the Hebrew word "kabash," which is a call to steward the land and be its responsible and loving caretaker.

The connection has always been there but at times we become disengaged, disconnected, and dissatisfied with the Divine intention of how we were created to live. When we go through long bouts of being in disarray, it begins to cause dis-ease in the body. That dis-ease then turns into chronic illness and wreaks havoc on our bodies and immune systems.

The first prescription, when are bodies are under stress, is to reconnect with the earth. Vitamin D, aka sunlight, plant medicine, cleansing waters, earthing/grounding, fruits and vegetables, gardening, and whatever else brings you outside. There's a pulse and a natural rhythm that we see from day to night, the sabbath, moon cycles, seasons, and so much more that help us to define times and systems around us and within us.

For us, a remedy that can support your body is The Boundless Body tea ceremony. It starts with a nourishing cup of our tea made with elderberry, ashwagandha, tulsi and cinnamon:

• 1 tbsp of our loose-leaf tea

• a cup of boiled water

• allow to steep for 5-10 mins (the longer it steeps, the stronger it is)

• strain and begin the ceremony

We start the ceremony with a list of 5 things that we're grateful for. Say them aloud if you can to make a declaration of your gratitude, take a few cleansing belly breaths. Fill the belly with air and then release it until you feel your jaw and shoulders relax. And end with either movement or connect to nature. It's your choice, whatever feels most nourishing to you. Try taking a walk outside (if the weather is right) with your cup of tea, stretching near a window or stepping outside for a couple of deep breaths. This is your practice so make it your own!