Shift Six: Get Helpful Support Don’t Go It Alone!
The spiritual life is not a solo journey we are meant to walk alone. Spiritual guides, companions, mentors —these are all key part...
In the journey of spiritual growth, many of us face moments of spiritual disintegration—times when it feels as if something is shifting within us, and our whole self feels out of alignment. Instead of trying to pretend nothing is changing or pushing those feelings aside, what if we intentionally engage our whole selves—our spirit, mind, and body—with God?
A truly spiritual life isn’t just about intellectual concepts or a list of doctrines we memorize. It’s about a renewing of the mind, sure, but it’s also about the revitalization of the whole person—all of you, in body, mind, and spirit.
As we walk through life and grow spiritually, many of us are invited to deeper rounds of personal integration—God’s invitation to re-establish healthy connections between our spirit, mind, and body.
This may come as a surprise: God cares about your body. Yes, your body. And yes, God cares about your mind, too! Most importantly, God cares about the connection between your spirit, mind, and body. He loves you—all of you. The real you. Not just your intellect or your spiritual side, but everything that makes you whole.
So, how can we cooperate with God in this process of reintegration? I’ve seen many of my clients discover that something as simple as breathing exercises can help them nurture a healthier connection between their spirit, mind, and body.
In individual sessions, Christian yoga classes, and spiritual retreats, I’ve seen immediate results when participants practice guided breath and body movements. And even more importantly, they see long-term transformation through continued practice at home.
Breathing is something we all do. It’s accessible to everyone, and the insights we can glean from ancient Christian monastics and modern medical research can help us connect more deeply with God and our whole self.
You may already be familiar with yoga as a physical practice. But did you know that the word “yoga” actually means “connection” or “integration”? It comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means to yoke, or to unite. In other words, yoga is any practice that helps connect one thing to another—or one part of yourself to another.
Jesus himself used the image of a yoke when he spoke in the Gospel of Matthew. He invited us to take his yoke upon us, describing it as “easy” and “well-fitting.” In the same way, the yoga practices I teach are designed to fit you just right—to help you find that deep connection between your spirit, mind, and body, all while keeping things simple, gentle, and accessible.
You won’t be expected to perform extreme feats of flexibility or balance. The postures and movements I share are gentle and selected specifically to help you become more attuned to your body’s subtle signals—signals that guide your emotional and spiritual life as well.
I used to dismiss bodily awareness as secondary to spiritual practice. But I’ve come to realize just how important it is to the whole of life. The whole of our life is conditioned by the life of our bodies—and the more aware we are of our bodies, the more connected we become to thoughts, emotions, and relationships.
In fact, awareness is a transferable skill. The more you practice noticing the subtle sensations in your body, the more capable you become of noticing the movements of your thoughts, your emotions, and even the quiet nudges of the Holy Spirit.
Recognizing the quiet movement of the Holy Spirit is, perhaps, the key skill in the Christian spiritual life. As Jesus said in the Gospel of John (3:8), “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
That’s why I am so committed to helping others ground their spirituality through this process of integration—body, mind, and spirit.
But there’s more. These practices don’t just help you grow spiritually; they also help your body grow stronger, more flexible, and more stable. You’ll notice better balance, improved posture, and greater stamina. For many people, it’s the missing link in combating years of neglecting their bodies.
The more you engage with this integration, the more you’ll enhance your capacity for discernment—the ability to draw from all your sources of wisdom: spirit, mind, and body. This is the foundation for making sound decisions and walking in alignment with God’s will.
I’ve put together a set of 16 unique yoga and breath exercises designed to help you bring your spirit, mind, and body into greater harmony with one another. These simple yet powerful practices can be a transformative tool for your spiritual growth, helping you connect with God and yourself in new ways.
If you’re curious about how this can work for you, I’d love to chat. Let’s explore where you are in your spiritual journey and see if this resource could be the next step for you.
If you’re ready to start integrating your spirit, mind, and body (or simply want to learn more), I invite you to book a free consultation. Together, we can explore how this practice might help you grow in every aspect of your life.
Book a Free Consultation to engage your whole self in your relationship with God.
