If self-care was an animal, it would be fluffy, soft and pastel coloured. It would be cute and pretty and smell like roses and fresh laundry. It would wear a homemade organic face mask and two cucumbers on its eyes. That’s if we look at the image of self-care that is represented on social media and by the wellbeing industry these days.

Don’t get me wrong, I love myself a good face mask and pampering evening (nibbling away on the cucumbers that were originally supposed to hydrate my face). And I believe that this can be a valuable part of a self-care routine. But self-care is SO much more. 

Let’s embrace self-care for the badass, pragmatic and butt-kicking power tool that it really is. Let's open our eyes to the importance of self-care outside of the lavender bubble bath.

WHY SELF-CARE IS SO IMPORTANT FOR YOGA TEACHERS

As yoga teachers we are used to taking care of others. Driven by the intention to help and a strong sense of purpose, it comes easy for us to focus on being there for other people. Yet, in order to find balance and be the best version of our yoga teacher self, we must also learn to focus on the other side of the coin - listening to our own needs and prioritising self-care. We all know that. Yet, we still struggle to care for ourselves in the same way we do for others, which is a familiar (and somewhat paradoxical) pattern in caring professions.
The bad news is: a two hour wellness routine every other week won’t be enough to counter that (even though it can be a good starting point!). The good news is: we can learn to integrate self-care into our daily yoga teacher life. And the best news is: this post will give you plenty of ideas on how to do that. 

1. LEARN TO SAY NO

Starting up as a yoga teacher, you might find yourself in a place where you want to say yes to all opportunities that come up. And I’m sure you want to help anyone and everyone. And build up your yoga business as you basically are an entrepreneur now. And you might also have another job to pay the bills. And be there for you partner, family, kids, friends. And, and, and… (I could go on for ages).

In order to get into the right focus and mindset and not drown in overwhelm and burn out, we have to learn to say no. Make it a daily practice to explore when you put yourself last and why. Ask yourself the question: What do you really want to devote your time and energy to? Tune into your intuition and listen to that voice that tells you when you want to say yes 100% and when you rather not (or simply can’t).
 

2. DON’T SHY AWAY FROM TABOO TOPICS (*COUGH* MONEY *COUGH*)

Stepping into the London yoga teacher scene, I found that there are quite a few “taboo“ topics that nobody really talks about. One of these loaded topics is money and making a living as a yoga teacher. Yes, yoga is an ancient practice that teaches non-attachment and moving away from materialism. Yet, as a yoga teacher living in the Western world, there will be plenty of bills to pay. There is nothing bad or greedy or weird about this.

Making money does not mean that you have to sell your soul or trick people or be salesy or insincere. It means having more freedom and mindspace to evolve into the yoga teacher you want to be. It’s that simple. If you get anxiety every time a bill hits your mailbox and you still tell yourself that you shouldn’t think about money because you feel like a bad yogi, you have to find a healthy and sustainable approach to combine the practice of yoga with being an entrepreneur and generating an income that you can live off of. There are some great resources out there to learn how to be more mindful about your money mindset  (I'll do a separate post on that soon because it's super important).  

It will take some work to find your perfect business setup, maybe you will have to think outside the studio, but it’s going to make a huge difference. Existential fear can be a huge block and burden to carry. Take steps to break the taboo, talk about it and work towards building a sustainable, profitable yoga business that feels true to yourself and your practice.

3. SET BOUNDARIES

This is a toughy. If you are a yoga teacher, chances are that you are an empathetic and sensitive person. On the positive side, this means that you have an amazing gift to help other people, making them feel heard and understood and taken care of. On the flip side, this also means that you are very receptive to the pain and emotions of other people. So you have to figure out what drains your energy most and how to set professional and personal boundaries with your students and in your work as a yoga teacher. This is crucial for preventing burn-out and for maintaining your mental wellbeing.
 

4. SLEEP, EAT AND REST

This one is pretty much self-explanatory. Working as a yoga teacher takes a lot of energy, both physically and mentally/emotionally. Take your own health seriously, knowing that your body is enabling you to do all this amazing work. Nurture it, get enough sleep, incorporate a routine to rest and restore (e.g. include restorative yoga into your self-practice). After all, you cannot pour out of an empty cup.
 

5. ALWAYS COME BACK TO YOUR OWN PRACTICE

Personally, this is one of my biggest struggles at the moment. How do I set up my yoga business, get out there to teach, have a job on the side to pay the bills, have a social life AND follow my self practice. Still, your self practice is one of your most important tools to keep on evolving and growing as a yogi and a yoga teacher. It will give you more confidence and security to get out there to teach, because you simply know what you are talking about.

A big part of your self practice can and will also happen off the mat. It doesn’t always have to be a full sequence with 30 minutes on your mat. Set small goals and adjust your self practice for your needs and the time you have. Maybe it’s going to be a short meditation on the bus. Or a little flow before or after teaching a class. Find routines that work for you.
 

6. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND KEEP EVOLVING

Maybe you changed your whole life and used all your savings to become a yoga teacher? Maybe once you get out into the world to offer what you have to give you suddenly realise that being a full time yoga teacher is not for you? Or maybe you realise that your niche or yoga style doesn’t feel right anymore? But you feel guilty to change it up, because heck, this was your big dream and you followed it so why aren’t you 100% happy with it?

Yoga is a constantly evolving practice. It’s OK to change, it’s all trial and error, both as a yogi and an entrepreneur. Allow yourself to evolve as a yoga teacher, to change your niche, to change your focus. Maybe you realise that teaching in a studio is not so much for you, but you love working with private clients. Keep on investigating. And be brave enough to change the things that don’t feel right to you anymore.

Do you have any other self-care tips that work for you? Let me and your fellow Palms Up Clubbers know in the comments!

Images: 
Banner Photo by Natalie Collins on Unsplash
Photo in between text by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash