Self-care

[Hamsa]

Thank you, as always, Chandra, for moderating this wonderful site.
I would like to introduce a new topic for general discussion: How are yoga teachers taking care of themselves – physically, emotionally, spiritually, in other ways?

To get the thread started: I run a full-time yoga business together with a business partner; two other teachers also teach classes at our studio. Most of my time is spent in private yoga therapy practice, generally a few hours at the “bookends” of the day, Sun - Thursday, and Friday morning.

I often find myself depleted and tired by mid-afternoon when I have a few hours off. It’s difficult to pull myself together to go out and work with a few more clients, or teach another class, in the evening.

So, in terms of self-care: (a) I try not to do everything along with my classes and private students (this is helping me a lot – I’m hoping to prevent repetitive strain injury from doing too much yoga, and I have become a much better observer of the students, seeing more because I’m doing less. I may demo briefly, and then I’m up and walking around observing and, when needed, adjusting). (b) I try to get some rest in the free hours of the afternoon, doing some gentle yoga or restorative, or taking a nap. © I now eat a nutritious meal in the mid-to-late afternoon, which has been giving me more energy. (d) I try to get a massage about every 2-3 weeks. (e) I make sure to meditate, do pranayama and chanting / prayers every morning, and meditate and do pranayama before going to bed. (f) I observe the Sabbath (Friday evening and all day Saturday) during which I do no work and do not take phone calls. Still, I do not feel that I am taking enough time for myself – to just do nothing, take someone else’s yoga class, go swimming, sit and read …

I would love to know what other teachers are doing for self-care. Please share your experiences – what has worked for you, what pitfalls have you fallen into, what solutions have you found for yourself? How late is your latest class in the evening? When do you go to sleep at night?

Thank you - I look forward to your responses.
Blessings,
Hamsa

[yogalife]

This is a great thread, thanks for starting it!

Yoga came back into my life when I needed it most. I am a fitness instructor and “played” with yoga until a few years ago when the opportunity for teacher training came my way. Now I teach more yoga than other classes. Yoga helped me slow down, which I needed very much. When Sept 11 happened, my priorities shuffled themselves in an interesting way. I places LEISURE at the top of my list. I have always put my family first and still do, but I was ALWAYS busy! Now, I STOP and SLOW DOWN! I always make time for people. I am not doing as many classes these days just so I can spend time with the wonderful people in my life. My income is less now, but that’s my choice. So I guess the answer to your question, is that I take care of myself by taking care of others. S

[Chandra]

I am glad to hear a new voice here. The main purpose of this forum is to provide a space for people to interact and find satsang - community. This thread, regarding personal care for the physical vehicle, is especially of concern to me at this point in my life. I have spent the last 12 years being a full time Mom, taking time for my own needs and interests as the needs of my family have allowed. Now, I find that my own needs are presenting themselves more adamantly and am working to find the balance between the needs of the little self, the community of family, the needs of my yoga students, and the promptings of Spirit. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the needs of the “little self” and the promptings of Spirit. I have come to realize that in many ways I do not honor the real needs of the physical body, in some philosophic desire to “overcome” them. But, it seems, that this can lead to a failure to honor the expression of the deeper current of spiritual growth - if I don’t take care of my self, how can I take care of others? How can I learn to follow the subtle current of intuition and inspiration? I know that selfless service is a means to overcome the selfish tendencies. Being involved in community,family and caring for others can take us out of our obsession with our own critical or self absorbed quagmire. Yet, taking the time to have my own yoga practice, meditating, honoring the mysterious flow of life and energy flowing in the blood and sinew of the body, enjoying a bath or a soak in the sun, putting on the headphones and getting lost in the music, really playing with the kids - these are all ways of reconnecting with the source for me. They take me out of the minutia of the daily grind and renew my excitement in simply being alive. These are the moments I am challenged to willingly give my self. These are the moments that make my life worth living.

Namaste,
Chandra