By Katie D’Onofrio
“You cannot pour from an empty cup.” We’ve all heard this phrase before. How can you show up to serve others as your best self without carving out the time to recharge, refresh, and revitalize? This means not only physically - by resting when you’re sick, taking days off from the gym, and getting enough sleep each night - but also mentally and spiritually by not biting off more than you can chew.
In today’s “go, go, go” world, we’re not encouraged to take those timeouts. Putting ourselves into overdrive, maintaining a 60-hour work week, not taking time off, even sacrificing sleep - unfortunately, these practices are often worn as badges of honor, as if to say wearing yourself too thin is a sign of strength or perseverance. Ultimately, we keep giving ourselves away without pause until our cups are completely empty, with nothing left for ourselves or for others.
Teaching yoga is a heartwarming, fulfilling experience. From seeing students achieve milestones in their practices, to finally hearing that super stressed-out yogi take a loooooooong exhale at the end of class - serving as a guide for the ancient practice of yoga is an honorable and rewarding way to serve others and give something back to our community.
This type of service requires both time and energy. It’s planning, sequencing, practicing, and executing. It’s creating and holding space for others. It’s showing up and putting in the work, no matter what.
All of this to say, if you are a teacher who’s feeling burnt out from teaching: (1) you’re not alone, (2) don’t feel guilty! and (3) we’ve got you covered.
Here are some tips to get you realigned with teaching when the burnout is real.
1. Acknowledge, admit, and accept.
Eventually, everyone becomes overwhelmed. Everyone. It’s inevitable - we ask a lot of ourselves! And just because it might be yoga-related does not mean that you love the practice any less, you are any less compassionate, or you are not cut out to be a teacher. So acknowledge that how you are feeling is normal, admit that you have a pretty full plate, and accept that it may be time to switch up your routine.
2. Lighten your classload…for now.
This may be a tough one, especially if you are passionate about yoga and teaching (which you most likely are if you took the time to become certified in the first place!). But in the midst of your love for yoga, it’s very possible that you did in fact bite off more than you can chew.
Take a hard look at your schedule, and ask yourself which commitments are taking up the most of your time. If there’s one class you’re traveling an hour to each way, maybe that’s not the best one to keep on your roster. Or if you committed to teaching a morning class on what would otherwise be your day off, maybe you should take that time back for yourself.
Don’t forget that just because you stop teaching a certain class for now doesn’t mean it’s forever! You can always go back and pick it up again in the future, when the timing is better for you.
3. Take a class at a new studio, or online.
It is wonderful to have a familiar place to practice where everyone knows and recognizes you … but sometimes, as a teacher, you prefer to take the backseat and be the student. Even if you aren’t the one teaching the class, students tend to treat teachers differently. Attending classes where everyone knows you’re a teacher often results in students asking questions about adjustments and alignment. But of course, there are times when you just want to be the student and enjoy the class the same way as everyone else.
Attend a class you’ve never been to at a new studio, your local library - anywhere that you can fly under the radar. This guarantees that not only are you in a different environment so your mind won’t begin mentally preparing your next class, but also that no one will expect you to wear your yoga teacher hat.
Or, practice yoga right in the comfort of your own home. There are plenty of platforms you can explore for online classes. When you do yoga at home, class starts whenever you’re ready, you can practice for as long as you like, and you are able to reconnect with yourself.
4. Dive into your other, non-yoga passions…
No matter how much you love yoga, there is definitely such a thing as “too much of a good thing.” When you aren’t teaching, it may be very tempting to fill your free time with yoga classes, workshops, or even books. Have you ever taken a yoga class and spent the entire practice planning the next sequence you’d teach? Or when a teacher shares an awesome flow, do you find yourself thinking, I’d love to teach that in my next class?
It’s hard to turn off the yoga teacher voice when you’re surrounded by yoga! Instead, take time to do something that isn’t yoga-related that you love just as much. If you love reading, try a non-yoga-related book. Perhaps you can fill that time with another form of exercise that you enjoy. Or maybe you simply catch up on your favorite television show - that’s okay, too!
5. …And try something brand new.
Yoga may be a big part of your identity, but it doesn’t have to be all of who you are - and it shouldn’t be! There is plenty of room in your life for other paths of fulfillment, too. Try something completely different and out of your comfort zone. Go to a different fitness class at your local gym, like kickboxing or Zumba, or something creative like a cooking or painting class.
By trying something for the first time, you have to learn something new and see things from a different perspective. This may even draw some inspiration for you to freshen up your yoga classes.
The takeaway: Burnout is bound to happen in today’s fast-paced society, whether it’s from teaching yoga or anything else going on in your life. But it’s not a sign that you’re a quitter or you shouldn’t be teaching yoga. If your teaching schedule has got you frazzled, take a deep breath. It’s completely normal and will not last forever. Remember: until you refill your cup, you cannot give your time and energy to anyone - including yourself.
Katie is a Jersey-based yoga instructor and writer. She believes that yoga is for everybody and every body and loves to bring a sense of lightness, play, and self-discovery to her classes. When she’s not on the mat, she probably has her nose in a book. Follow her on Instagram at @KatieDonof