“WE PROCLAIM HIM, ADMONISHING AND TEACHING WITH ALL WISDOM SO WE CAN PRESENT EVERYONE PERFECT IN CHRIST.” COLOSSIANS 1:28

MODULE 1 LESSON 4

Commit to Personal Growth and Self Care

Before we move on, we need to take inventory of our own spiritual growth and self-care. This will better equip us as instructors to meet the needs of our students. This lesson can be challenging for some, so take time to pray before you begin. Take your time to work through the material; this should not be rushed. 

Commit to Personal Growth:

If you are going to be a spiritual leader, a guide, a light for Christ with others on and off the mat, you need to commit to your own spiritual growth. We cannot lead others to be in a better place, physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually if we don’t put the effort and work into ourselves. 

Write to Reflect:

In what ways do you take care of yourself physically? 

Some examples to consider: 

Commit to personal yoga practice/ working out regularly/exercise. 

Good eating/healthy eating/clean eating. 

Getting enough rest and sleep.

Getting massages/bodywork/therapies/ chiropractors (etc.)to keep in optimal physical health.

You take time for health screenings, doctor checkups, dentist, etc. 

Acknowledge: Is this an area you need to grow in? What steps can you take to implement change? Select 1-2 areas you would like to grow in and prayerfully consider taking the next steps with God’s guidance and direction. 

In what ways do you take care of yourself mentally? 

Some examples to consider:

Daily Reading of God’s Word.

Daily prayer life.

Daily Christian Meditation. 

Use of a Christian mentor, coach, or counselor.

Breathing practices.

Taking breaks- daily and long term.

Checking in with yourself- How am I feeling?

Setting Boundaries in personal and professional relationships.

Having Healthy Relationships.

Acknowledge: Is this an area you need to grow in? What steps can you take to implement change? Select 1-2 areas you would like to grow in and prayerfully consider taking the next steps with God’s guidance and direction. 

In what ways do you take care of yourself emotionally? 

Some examples to consider: 

Daily Reading of God’s Word.

Daily Prayer.

Daily Meditation on God’s word or Christian meditation practices.  

Use of a mentor, coach, counselor, or therapist.

Breathing techniques. 

Taking breaks- daily and long term. 

Checking in with yourself, How or what am I feeling? 

Setting Boundaries.  

Having Healthy Relationships. 

Knowing the scope and range of your emotions. 

Being able to deal with emotions healthily. 

Being Relationally Wise- relational wisdom is the ability to discern emotions, interests, and abilities in yourself and others, interpret them in the light of God’s Word, and use this insight to manage your responses and relationships successfully.

I highly recommend watching this series taught by a Biblical Counselor and Pastor if you struggle in this area.

Access Relational Wisdom Series 

Is this an area you need to grow in? What steps can you take to implement change? 

Select 1-2 areas you would like to grow in and prayerfully consider taking the next steps with God’s guidance and direction. 

In what ways do you take care of yourself spiritually? 

Some examples to consider:

Daily Reading of God’s Word.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Scripture memorization and application.  

Involved in the body of Christ-Church membership/fellowship/community. 

Worshipping Christ. 

Daily prayer life. 

Daily Christian Meditation.  

Use of a Christian mentor, coach, or counselor. 

Practicing Psalm 46:10 and Being Still. 

Bible Study. 

Taking classes that encourage your maturity in Christ. 

Is this an area you need to grow in? What steps can you take to implement change? Select 1-2 areas you would like to grow in and prayerfully consider taking the next steps with God’s guidance and direction. 

Self Care:

Self-care is an essential part of being an effective leader. As a PerfectFit Christian Yoga Instructor, it is important to recognize you cannot be all things to all people. Yes, we are there to serve our clients. However, we cannot serve them well at the cost of our own health, and the calling God has for our lives. 

God wants us to rest and renew daily in Him. Teachers need to be aware of the tendency towards spiritual weariness, physical exhaustion, and overcommitting. We need balance in taking care of ourselves and taking care of our students. Remember, the word “no” is a complete sentence, and it will be important to incorporate it into your vocabulary as your students make requests of you. 

To be the most effective in Christian Yoga, we need to be aware of how we care for ourselves so we can better serve our students. 

We simply cannot give from an empty cup. We have to pour into ourselves to fill up, so we can pour out our gifts to those who we serve. 

Call to Action: Write For Insight

On a scale from 1-10 (10 being highest), how would you rate your self-care? 

(Note: This is an exercise in self-awareness, not self-criticism. When we are aware of growth opportunities, we have the ability to make changes and improve. Once again, this is vital in our ability to serve well as a Christian Yoga Instructor. 

Anything from a 7 plus would probably indicate you are doing a good to a great job. 

If you are a 5-6, you are probably doing an average to a fair job. 

If you are 1-4, you could have some difficulty in this area. 

Let’s dig deep as to why there can be a difficulty. When we understand why we struggle, we can find solutions to help us overcome. 

It could be for any of the following reasons:

You believe self-care is selfish. 

You don’t have or make time. 

You don’t know how to practice self-care or know where to start. 

You put others before yourself. 

You are overwhelmed by life, and self-care is just another thing you have “to do.”

Make a list of 10 reasons why you deserve to be good to yourself. Once you have made your list, pray over it. Ask God to give you the strength, the tools, and the willingness to practice personal growth and self-care. 

Note: Your self-care needs may change from time to time. Taking an inventory new list quarterly, every six months, or yearly can help you take stock and keep an inventory of how well you are caring for yourself during different seasons in life. 

If you need more one on one counsel around the area of personal growth and self-care, book a personal mentoring call and/or discuss at your next group mentoring session.