It’s amazing how many people wait for the perfect moment to start (or continue) their yoga practice. A time when they are less busy, less tired, less irritated…
And yet, the best course of action is the opposite. There is incredible value in yoga as your anchor in the times of stress.
yoga teachers do this too
Before anyone assumes that I am preaching from my high horse, don’t you worry. I am fallible too. Over the years, there have been plenty of times when my yoga practice took a backseat because I did not make it a priority. Additionally, I neglected my career as a yoga teacher, especially since the cozy transition online during COVID lockdowns.
And now… Well, now I am living through chaos. The last few months have probably been the toughest time I’ve ever lived through. At this time, yoga has saved me, yoga has pushed me to take risks, yoga has supported my mind and body (while I am also training for a half marathon). I cannot imagine how things would have panned out if I did not lean into my practice and teaching.
Good News Are Scary
When everyone was forced to stay at home, and yoga moved into the online spaces, I went through a grief period. I went from teaching 9-10 hours a week to 2-3 hours. I questioned my identity as a yoga teacher and even as a practitioner.
But hey, teaching and practising remotely is actually very cofenient. Comfortable, even. All of the sudden, I did not have to deal with the public transport or early commute or smelly changing rooms at the gym. I could literally move to a different country and continue teaching the same classes, the same people.
Meanwhile, years passed. In the back of my mind, I had the idea of getting back out there – albeit, now in a different country, teaching in a different language, dealing with different expectations.
I would have continued to put it off if it weren’t for a happy coincidence. A local yoga teacher (of which there are two total) suggested I take over his classes for the summer. Daunting is an understatement. I would have to plunge into teaching head first, get used to commuting several times a week, and work to… I don’t know, get people to like me I guess?
Naturally, my first instinct was to reject this offer, and yet here I am, having agreed and committed. I’m about a week into the summer, I am tired and still very nervous about the whole thing. But these first few classes reminded me that my skills did not vanish, that my teaching has value, and that I can do hard things.
Too Tired for Self Sabotage
I already mentioned that I am currently having a tough time. My mental health is questionable, and physically I am exhausted.
Somehow, this had the funniest side effect on my life. I spend so much energy daily trying to survive this period that I got too tired for doubting or excusing myself.
This is kind of how I arrived at saying yes to the teaching offer. I also committed to resting a venue for my own classes in the new academic year, and applied for a job I wanted (that frankly, I was not qualified for).
Through exhaustion, I found the audacity, and I kind of envy people who feel this way all the time.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Partly, I wanted to get it off my chest. This is gritty, personal stuff that has been swirling in my brain with no break.
On the other hand, I hope that if you’re reading this, you too can stop putting off your next yoga class (or run, or job application) and find the audacity. What sets yoga apart is that it can help you weather the storm, and you’ll only enjoy it more once the clouds clear.