The other weekend in a yoga teacher training, we had a lovely woman guide our group in the basics of restorative yoga. At the end of the night, seeing my students in the sweet, post-practice daze, I tried to recall the last time I put my legs up the wall and covered my eyes with my lavender eye pillow. It had been a while.
Life as a yoga teacher can get busy. E-mails, cooking, writing, leading classes, planning, marketing, meeting with students, Facebook updates, and studying are only the beginning. Throw in social engagements, kids, community work, an additional job, and phone calls to loved ones, and there are simply not enough hours in the day.
Is that really true, though? When I took a closer look at my life I realized that, in reality, I wasn’t choosing to make space to nourish myself more fully. Although pampering myself is wonderful in and of itself, the idea of self-care also supports my role as a yoga teacher. The day after I get a massage, I feel more clear-headed and restored. Ten minutes into Legs-Up-the-Wall gives me renewed energy. Making time for genuine connection with loved ones reminds me of my appreciation of the intricacy and beauty of the human psyche.
When I take time to care for myself, I am able to show up with greater capacity for my students. A hike in nature inspires me to come up with a theme for a class. Taking a bath helps my body stay limber for posture demos. Making time for a sensual massage with my beloved supports my heart in staying open and connected.
Tell us how you nourish the teacher.
