Part 1: Reimagining Health

We are bound to our bodies like an oyster to its shell – Plato 

My role isn’t to tell you to ditch your fitness goals – it’s to help you see that they can be about so much more than what you look like. When you combine movement with mental and emotional healing, you unlock a level of health that goes far beyond the physical. When fitness and psychotherapy join forces, the focus shifts from fixing bodies to healing people. The integration fosters a culture of empowerment, where health isn’t defined by appearance but by balance, resilience, and joy. 

You deserve to feel strong – not just in your body, but in your mind and soul. You deserve to move because it makes you feel alive, not because you’re chasing a societal ideal. And most of all, you deserve to know that your worth isn’t tied to the scale or the mirror – it’s inherent, unchanging, and yours to claim. 

The truth is that, in its current state, the health & wellness industry sells you a dream that’s rooted in exploitation. It thrives on the insecurities you’ve been conditioned to feel and promises you a version of happiness tied to aesthetics. But what if I told you that it’s likely that the way you feel about your body isn’t about your body at all? That it’s about your mind – your relationship with yourself, your story, and the messages you’ve internalized from a society obsessed with appearances. 

Integrating psychotherapy into fitness spaces isn’t just a nice idea – it’s essential for creating a truly holistic approach to health. Another misunderstanding that’s largely publicized is that psychotherapy is just about healing the mind, it’s not – it’s about creating a foundation for overall well-being. Here’s how it changes your relationship with fitness:

1. Identifies Emotional Drivers

Together, we explore the emotions and beliefs that influence your relationship with your body and movement. Maybe childhood experiences shaped your self-perception, or societal pressure made you feel your body wasn’t enough. When the drivers are uncovered – we can replace the self-criticism with self-compassion. 

2. Reframes Goals

Together, we shift the focus from aesthetics to functionality and well-being. Instead of chasing the “perfect body”, we set goals rooted in peace, strength, and resilience. Imagine moving because it feels good – not because you’re trying to punish yourself. 

3. Builds Resilience

Stress, illness, trauma – life’s curveballs can derail even the most committed folks. Together, you’re taught to develop the emotional tools to navigate these challenges without losing sight of your health. 

4. Cultivates a Positive Relationship with Movement

It’s not always about burning calories or earning your meals. Together, you learn to approach movement as an act of self-care and celebration – a way to honour your body for all it does, not punish it for what it isn’t. 

When someone tells me they hate their body, I know it’s unlikely they really hate their body but are instead battling something much deeper. Body image is a learned construct, shaped by media, culture, and personal experiences. It’s the nagging voice that tells you you’re not enough because you don’t match an impossible standard. Remember, that voice doesn’t come from your reflection in the mirror – it comes from years of internalizing societal messages that your worth is tied to how you look. Together we uncover where that voice originated and learn to challenge it – when you realize that your value isn’t defined by society, it’s your greatest stride to reclaiming your life. 

As I recently shared with a client – “sometimes you just gotta tell that inner critic to shut the f*** up.”

Part 2: Reimagining Western Therapy

There’s three tenets that live somewhere in your psyche if you are a descendent of the Land of Five Rivers. Whether you’re aware of their presence or not, they’re there and lingering – steadfast, like stars hidden by daylight. And if I could sit across a table, coffee in hand, with Carl Jung, he might smile knowingly and remind me that healing begins when we make the unconscious conscious. 

The three tenets are: remembering the universe and its divinity, working hard and honestly, and sharing what you have. 

Remembering the universe and its divinity is an experience that’s beyond you, the individual. 

Working hard and honestly requires you to cooperate with your surroundings. It’s beyond you, the individual.

Sharing what you have tells you to think about your community. That too, is beyond you, the individual. 

The three tenets call upon you to act and to embrace the fact that life is a collective experience, not an individual one. 

Therapeutic practices, as they’re traditionally practiced here, have made incredible progress in addressing mental health and well-being. But its predominantly frameworks that often emphasize the individual, and focus on personal growth and healing. While valuable, the approach can/will benefit from the beautiful philosophies that emphasize interconnectedness, balance, and holistic living. One such perspective comes from Northern India, where the teachings of Guru Nanak offer us insights into holistic well-being. The three form a blueprint for a therapeutic approach that fosters a deeper sense of connection, purpose, and harmony in life. 

Remembering the universe and its divinity is at the heart of this philosophy, it encourages us to anchor ourselves in the moment and connect to a higher truth – in the therapeutic setting this principle can inspire practices that foster inner stillness and awareness. Here’s how it adds to the reimagining of the therapeutic process: 

• Modern therapy uses mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and increase self-awareness. Remembering divinity takes this a step further but connecting mindfulness to a sense of the sacred – it’s beyond observing our thoughts – it’s about recognizing interconnectedness of all life and finding peace in that awareness. 
• Self-worth isn’t derived from accomplishments or societal approval but from the intrinsic value of being one with the universe. Therapy that incorporates this view can help individuals shift from self-criticism to compassion, and foster a more balanced/forgiving relationship with the stardust that they are. 
• Encouraging individuals to integrate meditative or reflective practices into their daily lives can create a consistent anchor in times of need. Beyond escaping problems but engaging with life from a grounded and connected state. 

Working hard and honestly teaches us that fulfillment comes from living a life of purpose, integrity, and doing hard things. It emphasizes that healing is not just about introspection but also about how one interacts with the world. Here’s how it adds to the reimagining of therapeutic process:

• Many individuals enter therapy feeling lost or disconnected from their sense of purpose. Working hard and honestly reframes “work” – not just professional, but all forms of meaningful engagement – as a path to healing. Therapy that is purpose driven, heals. 
• Therapy often focuses on introspection, but this tenet reminds us that action is equally important. Actionable steps that align with the individual’s sense of purpose turns insights into tangible progress. 
• Living with integrity – acting in alignment with one’s values – reduces the cognitive dissonance that often leads to stress and anxiety. The action here encourages us to reflect on how our choices align with our authentic selves. 

Sharing with others emphasizes the importance of generosity and community – teaching us that healing is not a solitary journey but a collective one, and that joy/fulfillment grow when shared. Here’s how it adds to the reimagining of the therapeutic process:

• Loneliness and disconnection are significant contributors to mental health struggles. Sharing with others encourages therapists to help individuals cultivate and nurture relationships, whether through family, friends, or community involvement. 
• Remember that traditional therapy often centres on the individual but sharing with others as an approach allows us to consider the individual’s broader social and relational context. Group therapy or community-based initiatives play a vital role in fostering a sense of healing. 
• Serving others can be a powerful path to healing – therapists can guide individuals to explore how acts of service, whether small or large, can create meaning, foster gratitude, and even break the cycle of self-focus. 

The practical applications for therapists are:

1. Introducing Meditative Practices 
2. Creating Value-Based Goals
3. Encouraging Community Engagement 

By integrating the principles of ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ, ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰੋ, and ਵੰਡ ਕੇ ਛਕੋ the individual who is a descendant of the Land of Five Rivers might just re-discover a piece of themselves that was always there and make it conscious again. They may even begin to understand that the therapeutic process isn’t an individual-centric process but a holistic journey that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit – one that recognizes that true well-being doesn’t come from isolating oneself to “fix” personal issues but from harmonizing the self with the greater whole. 

Friends, the tenets carry you gently as you become whole, they sing to your soul and if you’re listening carefully, you’ll understand that the melodies are far beyond you and echo into eternity. This reimagined approach is one where healing becomes a way of being, and not a destination. 

Part 3: Going on an Odyssey

As you start to walk on the way, the way appears – Rumi

A pilgrimage is usually understood as a journey to a sacred place – a physical trek to connect with something greater than ourselves. There’s a documentary from Yang Zhang called Path of the Soul that captures a group of Tibetan devotees making a 1200 kilometre pilgrimage to Lhasa. The pilgrimage requires them to do full body prostrations known as “chag” the whole way. The devotees place their forehead, both palms, both elbows, both knees, and all their toes on the ground – laying in complete submission. They are then permitted to stand, and then repeat, and repeat again – for 1200kms of mostly uphill terrain. It’s my favourite example of a devotional practice and I’ve been referring to it for a few years now. 

At the heart of it though is an odyssey and it’s much more than a physical journey…it’s an exploration of the internal landscape. By stepping into the unknown, challenging our limits, and embracing the discomfort of the path, we kick the doors of self discovery wide open. The essence of going on an odyssey is to do hard things. Not for the sake of suffering, but to uncover the strength, wisdom, and clarity that is likely lying dormant within us. That external path becomes a mirror for the internal and it reveals a truth about our resilience, values, and deepest selves. 

The world as we know it today is once of convenience and instant gratification, so the idea of an odyssey – a long and eventful journey with no guarantee of comfort – might seem counterintuitive. But the understanding of the importance of taking an eventful journey comes from the fact that it’s the discomfort where growth occurs, where distractions are stripped away and force us to confront our inner terrain. An odyssey demands resilience, patience, and a willingness to face discomfort, qualities that strengthen the body and the spirit. And when we do hard things, we break free from the limitations that we’ve imposed on ourselves – we discover that we are capable of more than we imagined. 

So what really defines an odyssey is not the destination, but the intention. The desire to step outside of your comfort zone and to learn through the journey. 

The “modern” pilgrimage doesn’t have to be a trek to a religious site and it can take many forms. Running a longer distance than you’ve ever walked, meditating in a place where the silence becomes a path, or pursuing a demanding creative goal where the mind stands no chance at suppressing the soul’s expression. So, let me say it again, an odyssey isn’t the destination but the intention – the desire to step outside of your comfort zone and learn through the journey.

Whether it’s a physical or metaphorical odyssey, it offers us lessons that extend far beyond the journey itself. 

• Each obstacle that you overcome on the path reinforces the truth that you can endure and adapt. Resilience. 

• What’s truly important is distilled, stripping away distractions and superficial concerns. Clarity. 
• A heightened appreciation for the simple things in life – food, shelter, companionship, and the beauty of the world. Gratitude. 

In the end an odyssey is a call for you to reconnect with yourself, the world around you, and with something far greater. It asks you to confront the discomfort and shed a layer of armour so the depths of your strength can be revealed. By stepping onto the path you embrace the opportunity to transform and you begin to discover that the greatest teacher isn’t the destination but the journey itself. 

So, friends, when the call comes to go on an adventure, listen. It’ll be hard, but it’ll lead you to a world so vast and uncharted that you may just stumble upon a yellow brick road and want to tell Toto that you’re no longer in Kansas. You might just also find the wisdom, courage, and peace that you’ve been searching for all along.