Training for Your Soul ﹣The Journey of Self-Growth, Healing, and Expansion
So you train at the gym for your body, gaining muscle and a healthy physique. You hire a business coach to create more financial abundance in your life. You look for mentors to help you grow in your passion areas.
But I want to ask you: do you train for your soul?
What I mean by this is, do you take the time to invest in practices that will help you heal on a soul-deep level? Do you allocate time weekly to tending to your soul, your inner self, the true nature of you?
We can invest in ourselves in all of the other areas—business coaching, gym workouts, our relationships with others—but if we don't work on our inner selves, we aren't strengthening ourselves in the most essential way.
Your soul is the foundation for everything that unfolds beyond you. When you are lit up from the inside out, it shows. When you are on autopilot, going through the motions as you try to get all your tasks done as best you can, you hit burnouts, depression, anxiety, and confusion more often. When you are conscious and intentional about tending to the most valuable aspect of yourself, you shine, in all areas of your life.
So how do I train for my soul?
In the same way you train at the gym to gain muscle, you must do certain activities to train for your soul.
Training for your soul means doing things with the intention of stoking your inner fire, strengthening your heart, your inner child, and your inner peace. The activities that help the most will look different for everyone, but here are a few practices you can keep in mind:
Meditation. Meditating helps us arrive in a calm and silent state of being. Without distraction in our minds, our awareness can return to the innermost aspect of yourself: the soul. In these states of peace, you receive tranquility to carry with you. You gain insight and clarity on where you are, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is a good space to gain a relationship with yourself, build trust with yourself, and cultivate inner peace to help heal your soul.
Singing. When we sing, we enter a certain state of vulnerability, showing yourself and those around you what you hold inside. Have you ever tried freestyle singing? When you sing without following any lyrics, you will be surprised at how your voice naturally speaks what it’s feeling. When you hear yourself, you often feel humbled, free, and more connected with yourself. Keep in mind, this type of singing isn’t about talent; it is about reconnecting and healing. When you free your soul and give it the voice to express its deepest truths, you are able to release, let go, and heal.
Intentional community. Being part of a community is important, and being part of the right community is even more important. It’s essential to find a community of people who share similar values, motivations, and goals. I’ve heard some people say, “I can’t find that community; no one else is on the same page.” I too have experienced this, and it’s important to remember that you can create this community yourself! If you begin to shift out of groups that do not inspire you, you make more time for new opportunities. If you are clear with yourself about what you are seeking and what types of relationships would best serve you at this point in your journey, you will find it. And when you find the community that best serves you, keep showing up for it. The more you surround yourself with people on a similar path, the more validation you receive, the more your confidence builds, and the more inspired you become. There is opportunity for relating, collaboration, and truly deep and meaningful friendships to develop.
Creative processing. This means allowing yourself to enter a ‘flow state’ in an area of creativity. This looks different for everyone—it could be painting, hula-hooping, writing, or dancing—but whatever your chosen art form, it's all about getting lost in the present moment, completely absorbed in your current experience and letting it flow through you. This tends to the soul on a deep level. In these states of freedom of expression, your ego falls away, time is expansive, and there isn't space for conscious thought. Every movement and action flows inevitably out of the previous one.
Connecting with nature. This is a simple and very effective technique. When it’s just you and the trees, you are humbled, reminded of your place in the world around you. When you feel the moist soil on the soles of your feet, you feel grounded, a part of the whole. Looking up at the vast skies gives hope and an opportunity for your mind to recalibrate and start over. We find freedom in nature, connection, and presence. When we are present in our moments, we are aligned with ourselves.
Try it out! Even if these ideas are new to you, be willing to enter a different experience, committing to nourishing your soul. If you are familiar with these practices, try entering each activity with more intention of connecting with your soul. Be with yourself, and feel the benefits. You’re the only one who can do this type of work—re-centering and healing yourself—so show up at the gym for your soul regularly.
Let’s just take a few moments to drop into an introspective state and explore where you are with this.
Connect with breath. I invite you to think about your life practices. The things you practice regularly, whether that be a specific diet, exercise routine, business coaching, or therapy. Is there anything specifically aimed at developing your inner self? If so, how can you enter these activities with more intention of giving and tending to the sacred fire of your soul?
To learn about our Gym for the Soul at Sovereign Sisters’ Society, read here. It’s a place of sisterhood and community, with women on a similar path of healing, growth, and expansion. In our Inner Circle, you are provided with art processes, meditations, visualization, and a strong community as you explore, integrate, and show up for your soul. This sisterhood with women from all over the world inspires and validates your sacred journey through this life.
