Ep 50: Self-care for Yoga Teachers - Mental & Emotional

Teachers!!!! I am so excited for this month full of quick episodes that are tailored to your health. I realize this is a busy month for so many - Maybe your month is full of preparing and gathering for the holidays with friends & family. Or you’re gearing up to teach special classes or workshops. While you’re doing all of that you’ve gotta take care of yourself. Burnout is real & working yourself to the point of exhaustion is not fair to you or anyone else in your life. 

So let’s talk about caring for yourself mentally and emotionally… I’ll share a few of the practices that help me during busy, stressful times and I hope they’ll be helpful for you and remind you to get back to those practices too. Because not only do you need it, you deserve it!

Transcript

Yeti Stereo Microphone: 0:00

Hey teacher, I'm going to switch gears for a little bit just for this month. And I am so excited to do this. Because I'm going to offer you a month full of quick episodes that are tailored to your health. I realize this is a busy month for so many. Maybe your month is full of preparing and gathering for the holidays. With friends and family, or you're gearing up to teach special classes or workshops. While you're doing all of that. You got to take care of yourself because burnout is real and working yourself to the point of exhaustion is not fair to you or anyone else in your life. So let's talk about caring for yourself mentally and emotionally. I'll share a few of the practices that help me during busy, stressful times. And I hope there'll be helpful for you and remind you to get back to those practices too, because not only do you need it, but you deserve it.

1:03

Welcome to the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers podcast with me. I'm Monica Bright, and I've been teaching yoga and running my yoga business for over a decade. This is the podcast for you if you're a yoga teacher, you're looking for support, you love to be in conversation, and you're a lifelong student. In this podcast, I'll share with you My life as a yoga teacher, the lessons I've learned, my process for building my business, and helpful ideas, tools, strategies, and systems I use and you can use so that your business thrives. We'll cover a diverse range of topics that will help you whether you're just starting out or you've got years under your belt and you want to dive deep and set yourself up for success. I'm so glad you're here. Listen, I don't take myself too seriously, so expect to hear some laughs along the way. Now, let's do this together.

Yeti Stereo Microphone-1: 2:12

Welcome back to the podcast. It's episode 50. I can't believe it. I think it was about two years ago that I began thinking about the idea of a podcast. I mean, truly it was born from some frustration with not really being able to dive into subjects on social media and get the information to teachers like you. But honestly, I realized I needed more space and time. To talk about the conversations that yoga teachers don't have. I spent a good bit of time pondering what I wanted the podcast to center around and planned and researched and plan some more. And here we are at 50 episodes, you know how I talk about celebrating your small wins? Well, secretly I celebrate after each and every episode I publish. So every week you can imagine me doing a little dance right after I set the publish date and push myself away from my desk. I want you to do the same, to think of something bright now, no matter how big or small to celebrate. Cheer yourself on don't wait. And more importantly, don't wait for someone else to do it for you. Okay. Let's get into some ways that I take care of myself mentally and emotionally because teaching yoga, running your own business and being an entrepreneur can really do a number on your mental health. If you allow it. These are in no particular order. And I find each of them to be just as important as the other. So if you want to get your journal or take notes on your phone, Or take note mentally, now's the time to just breathe. Settle yourself and take these in. I'm going to jump right in number one. Set healthy boundaries. I cannot stress how important this is. Seriously. It will help you in all areas of your life. The ability to say no. And let that be enough of an answer can be really difficult for some people. Because we're conditioned to care and to explain oftentimes more than we need to. So practice go in front of your mirror practice saying no, or no thank you. Or I won't be able to do that. Find out what feels comfortable for you? It's different for everyone. I've gotten comfortable over many years saying no. I remember when I first started teaching and the studio that I worked at always gave the new teachers, the 6:00 AM classes, but I have children that I needed to get up and get to school in the morning. So I set a hard boundary that I could not pick up a 6:00 AM class or sub a 6:00 AM class ever. And you know what? I got other class times on my schedule and I had a full teaching schedule. So ask yourself. What your boundaries are. And are you from with them? I'll be honest, and this might sting a little bit, but there's no use in having boundaries. If you're not going to enforce them. Number two. Practice meditation or mindfulness, we can easily get caught up in our schedules and classes, our commutes, and the time it takes to prepare for a class, which is why making a point to be still is so important. We teach it. But are you practicing what you teach? Okay. Don't come after me. I've got to say it. It doesn't take long. And, you know, you don't have to be on your mat in order to do this. I've spent time in my car, just sitting and being still because I needed it. Where can you find time to be still? This is the question for you. I know, you know, it will help to settle your mind and reduce stress. When you feel grounded, it's going to help you to create a supportive environment for your students. So it's a win-win. Number three. Begin or maintain your gratitude practice. Okay. I'm going to be completely honest here. I mean, I always am, but I want to stress that I do have a gratitude journal. But I don't write in it every day. Instead I use it when I really need to feel gratitude. I wonder if you know the feeling where it seems like nothing is going your way or you're waiting for something or anything, and it's just not coming at the timing you want or you expect. Yeah. That's what I'm talking about. When I feel like this, this is when I go to my gratitude journal, because there are so many wonderful things that are happening in my life. Every minute of every day. Sometimes I just need to remember that. So I write it down. No matter how big or how small I write it down. And I read it and I make myself smile. When I do it improves my mood shifts my focus from stress to more positive thoughts. And it boosts my resilience as I navigate the feelings that I'm experiencing at that time. Do you currently have a gratitude journal? How consistently are you using it? And can you go back to it? Number four. Cultivate emotional awareness. I think it's super important for us to work on our emotional awareness. And this is not easy because you have to be honest with yourself. If you really want this to work in your favor. Recognizing your emotions, does it mean you have to be them? It just means you see them. You can choose how you want to respond to them when they come. And that's huge, not allowing them to overcome you or send you spiraling, but instead use them for information. One thing I like to do say, for example, if I feel envy or disrespected, instead of acting on those emotions, I go inside of myself and ask myself, why am I feeling this way? What is happening with me that makes me feel this way emotionally. Honestly, this was also sorting out any traumas that I may have experienced at any point in my life and questioning if they contribute to the emotions I'm having. So this is like a two part process for me. I experienced the emotion and then I question it. It also gives me space time to consider a response if necessary. I told you this one, isn't easy, but it's so rewarding. I promise. Doing this will help you regulate your emotions and not feel the need to act on each of them. Number five, seek support from fellow yoga teachers. If you were a loner or an introvert like me, sometimes it can be difficult to have people or teachers in this case around, but I have been able to cultivate a group of yoga teachers that I trust and can talk to. Sometimes it's hard because we all have busy schedules and things to get to, but we needed, we need this community. Whether it's bouncing ideas off of each other, trying to talk out a new concept or a new learning, or just for emotional support. Another yoga teacher can understand you from your career standpoint and offer a listening ear. Or guidance. Number six. Journal your experiences. Okay. I could combine this with the gratitude journal. Something I hear a lot from teachers is their concern about how their classes are going or how they're growing as a teacher. I've advised them to journal. Write down what you taught. How you felt the feedback you received? And what you think went well or that you need to work on. It might not seem like a big deal, but when you look back on what you wrote five years ago, you will for sure. See where you were then as a teacher compared to now. Every time I take a continuing education course. I keep aside journal. I write about how I'm feeling while being in the training. If I'm questioning. Certain things, what I want to ask or learn more about if I feel like I'm understanding the concept, or if I'm feeling confused. And I looked back on my journaling from each of those trainings and I clearly see the growth that I've made over the years. Whether it's your classes, trainings, or your everyday life, get into a habit of journaling. You might be surprised at what comes up and what you can look back on and see the growth you've made. Number seven, celebrate your small wins. I mentioned this at the start of this episode, I love celebrating small wins and I do it in a number of different ways. I might do a little dance or literally pat myself on the back. Sometimes I take myself out to dinner or buy myself a special piece of jewelry. It all depends on how I'm feeling at the time, but I definitely celebrate. Each and every small win that I have, it helps me navigate this life as an entrepreneur, it helps keep me inspired. It reminds me that I'm making progress and that life is really so good. It can't always be about the big, huge wins. The small wins should be celebrated. As well. Number eight address your imposter syndrome. Okay. This is a big one. Imposter syndrome will keep you from pursuing the dreams and goals you have for your life. Because you're stuck in thinking, who am I to be doing this? Or the field is already saturated or who wants to hear from me? All of this is just you getting in your own way and giving yourself excuses to stay safe and small. Hear me out. If you do not get uncomfortable, you will not grow. You have to do things despite not feeling ready. Or good enough or the best. You must push yourself past what you think you can do. If that imposter syndrome little voice comes up, acknowledge it and keep on going. It doesn't mean you'll never make a mistake, but your confidence will increase each time you push yourself past your limit, and you just might be surprised at what you can accomplish. Number nine. And I talk about this a lot, go to therapy or counseling. If you think it might be helpful. Sometimes our thoughts get the best of us. Sometimes we need help from an outside. Viewpoint. Sometimes we need help understanding ourselves from a professional. This is valid and there's nothing to be ashamed of. I went to therapy as I was sorting out my feelings and experiences with being adopted as a child. I learned how people or experiences trigger me. And I've learned how to deal with all of that in healthy ways. These revelations. Didn't just come to me. No, it took me talking it out, diving deep and making connections. It was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. How does this relate to my teaching? Well, it helps me understand me. It helps me realize the human that I am, which helps me in my interactions with people and students. And it helps me consider the boundaries that are appropriate for me. My question to you is what's going on in your life. That's holding you back from being your true whole self. Can you work on sorting it out so that you free yourself from the burden of holding it in. Or trying to manage it on your own. And finally, number 10. Maintain a personal practice, separate from your teaching. A lot of yoga teachers lose their own practices when they start teaching. I did. I mean, my schedule was completely different. I was teaching full time and my class times conflicted with my favorite teacher's class times. I'll admit I'm not just going to any yoga class just because of the time is right. I'm more discerning when it comes to selecting teachers classes to take. I wasn't always that way, but I am now. One thing I've always done in the past and still do now is I practice online in the comfort of my own home with teachers who I love. But don't necessarily live close to me. A couple of my favorite teachers don't even live in the states, but I can still practice with them online. And I love it. I would never give this option up. I can choose the type of class that will benefit me in the moment. Instead of taking the class that's on the schedule. This keeps my love for yoga alive. Another thing is I love taking classes that weave in theming on spirituality and deities. But I would never teach those types of classes. So they nourish me in a different type of way. Whether you are a new teacher or a seasoned one, I cannot stress enough how important it is to take care of yourself. Sometimes we can get in our heads and create more trouble than necessary. Uh, this month and going forward, I want you to prioritize yourself and your mental and emotional needs. I want you to take care of yourself because honestly, in the end you are all you've got. So you better take care of yourself. I hope that this episode makes you think about how you're taking care of yourself. I've added a link in the show notes for you to send me a quick text message about your thoughts on this episode or any other, I won't know your phone number. It's a neat addition to the platform I use that allows for this new and super easy way for you to communicate with me. Once you click on it, it will take you to your messages. Don't delete the code. That's how your message will get to me. And I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. If you can't tell already, I love diving into these conversations because there are so many important discussions to be had in the teaching world. You know, that my goal is for you to love the yoga teaching life and allow it to be fulfilling and rewarding and sustainable. The ability to take care of yourself while you take care of so many of your students is important too. If you love this episode, let me know, subscribe to the podcast. So you're always in the know when a new episode drops and share it with another yoga teacher who you think would love to be in on these conversations. Thank you for helping to spread the word about this podcast. And if you've been taking notes in your journal, as you listen to these episodes, I'm so glad you are. And I'd love to hear about it. Don't forget to download the ebook sequencing for different injuries. The link is in the show notes, and I promise it will help you form a foundation for teaching students with injuries. And it'll be a great resource for you to return to. Again, and again, When you download the ebook, you'll be joining my newsletter. That's just for yoga teachers. I've got more exciting teachings coming soon. So I want to tell you all about them. The link is in the show notes below, and I would love for you to join it so we can always stay connected. All right, that's it for now? Bye.

19:29

Mhm.