As a personal trainer, I've trained many individuals to work on the body by focusing on biomechanics, reps, sets, how long, how often and addressed other theories, but although a fit and well-conditioned body not only looks attractive and aids in living in our bodies with more ease and comfort, our bodies can't get us over the hump when we are faced with life issues that govern our inner world of emotional survival and sense of purpose.
No matter how good you may look on the outside, if you are a mess on the inside, you are not preparing yourself well to weather the ups and downs of life or to truly serve as your best self. At any moment in time, things on the outside (material possessions, jobs or careers, relationships, physical ability/appearance, perceived status or identity, money and health) can change in an instant!
I believe our bodies are the temple for our soul, but our soul is the true powerhouse and the most important part of ourselves to keep in shape. Yes, take care of your body, but shaping up your soul is what really counts in the long run.
1: INCREASE STABILITY with meditation or prayer
Increase your soul's stability by meditating or praying at least 1x a day for 5-10min minimum. It's guaranteed we will be thrown off track, stunned or caught off guard by the rollercoaster and boomerangs of life, but if you take the time to meditate and/or pray each day, it will ground or root yourself with a sense of stability to withstand the punches, twists and turns because it provides you with a connection of something more than yourself. Quieting the mind is powerful. It helps you connect to your inner source (label of your choice). I find morning and evening times best simply because it's a great way to ground and center myself before the chaos of the day starts and at the end of the day, it's a great time to review, acknowledge accomplishments and let it all go!
2: ENHANCE SENSORY AWARENESS with nature
Enhance your soul with sensory awareness by communing with our natural world and the animals we share it with on a daily basis. Pet a dog, scratch your kitty under the chin, walk outside to feel the warmth of sun and breeze on your face - the list goes on. Notice how you affect your surrounding and how your surrounding affects you. Sensory awareness helps you to be in your body, to connect and remind yourself of how you relate to everything and everyone around you and why it is so important to not only delight in these gifts but to be responsible to care and respect all things. Slow down, don't try so hard....the answers will come through sensation....just BE.
3: PUMP UP STRENGTH by honoring your personal best
Pump up the strength of your soul by stepping up and doing your best on a daily basis. You are here to be you not someone else's idea of what or who you are supposed to be. Break through boundaries and limitations by pumping up the strength of who you are. Forge through obstacles of someone else's reality to create your own reality! Face your self-imposed fears and trust you have everything you need. Be a lion full of courage to dream, create and become the fabulous you. This is not an area to be weak in. The goal is to be your personal best - this is not a competition with others. Work that muscle!
4: IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY of the heart
Improve the expansion of your soul's purpose by improving flexibility of the heart with compassion and love for yourself and others on a daily basis. Let loose to embrace the fact that everyone makes mistakes, has their own personal process and that we come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Like the beating of your heart, ease up to allow the human learning curve to expand and contract, leaving the rigidity of judgement to fade away. Loosen up comparing yourself with others or with your own expectations of where you think you should be. Practice flexibility of the heart to expand and contract all day long. Love is powerful - keep flexible!
5: INCREASE MOBILITY with self-expression and play
Increase your soul's mobility by allowing your self to fully express your inner feelings and artistic abilities on a daily basis. No holds barred. No judgement. Let it out!!!! Paint, dance, draw, build something with your hands, take photos, play an instrument, sing your heart out, write a poem...WHATEVER! Just let your child-like inner self out. This is the real you. What makes you unique. This is your "essence"...your soul....what you naturally enjoy and are good at because it brings you JOY and it feels great! You are in action. You are mobile, connecting to the unique YOU in as many ways as you can move yourself. Don't be a "stiff". Be mobile and express yourself fully! Wahooo!
6: MASTER COORDINATION between action and intention
Master the mission of your soul with coordination between your daily actions and intentions. As a discipline, ask yourself "Does this task support my ultimate intention?". If it does, forge ahead. If it doesn't, rework your tasks picking, prioritizing and then coordinating the execution of each task so that what you are doing most of the time supports where you want to go! No time to waste. If you want to loose weight, don't eat a bag of cookies. If you want a job in theatre, then don't take a job in finance. If you want better relationships, then communicate; don't hide with bitterness or anger. You can do it!!
7: REGAIN AGILITY with laughter and sense of humor
The best way to bounce back to a joyful soul is to have agility, and the best way do this is through a daily does of laughter and a good sense of humor. Life is a serious matter, but it's good to know how to lighten up in order to elevate your soul to it's proper position. Develop a daily laughter yoga practice to sustain a hearty laugh for 10-15min in order to gain the most beneficial aspects of laughter. In a group is great, but if alone, simply lie on the floor on your back, bend your knees into your chest and start laughing. In no time you'll bounce off stress, gain clarity, feel more focused and start to wonder what was the problem in the first place? Laughter lightens the load and creates a light-hearted playful spirit so the soul can thrive in love & joy.
Need a soulful personal trainer or coach? I can help. I'm not about obsessing over inches, counting calories, looking like someone else other than me or out of contact with reality. I like to have fun, explore new things and live my life as balanced and mindful as possible. If you want to discover a path that's right for you...and you only..sign up for my FREE 30min Discovery Session today and start getting that soul in shape today!
Maybe your soul just needs a quick lift. Then check out my Event Calendar for current soul-stirring events and programs.
To your soul's adventure,
