Balancing Teaching and Your Own Practice: The Key to Longevity in Your Yoga Career

Colynn Vosburgh Author

Discover how balancing teaching with your personal practice enhances your yoga career, prevents burnout, and fosters long-term growth.

As a yoga teacher, you’re deeply committed to guiding your students on their journey, but what about your own practice? It’s easy to get so caught up in teaching that you forget to make time for your personal practice. However, maintaining your own practice is essential not only for your well-being but also for the longevity and authenticity of your teaching career. Let’s explore why it’s important to balance teaching with your own practice and how you can make it a priority in your busy life.

Why Your Personal Practice Matters

Your personal practice is the foundation of your teaching. It’s where you reconnect with the essence of yoga, deepen your understanding, and continue to grow as both a practitioner and a teacher. When you prioritize your own practice, you’re able to:

• Teach from Experience: Your students can tell when you’re teaching from a place of personal experience rather than just theory. Your own practice allows you to speak with authenticity and guide your students with deeper insights.

• Avoid Burnout: Teaching yoga can be demanding, both physically and emotionally. Your personal practice is a way to recharge, release tension, and prevent burnout.

• Stay Inspired: Yoga is a lifelong journey, and there’s always more to learn. Your personal practice keeps you inspired and excited about what you can bring to your students.

Making Time for Your Practice

Finding time for your own practice can be challenging, especially when you’re balancing a busy teaching schedule, personal commitments, and perhaps even running your yoga business. Here are some tips to help you prioritize your practice:

1. Schedule It In

   • Treat your personal practice like any other appointment. Block out time in your calendar and stick to it. Whether it’s a daily morning meditation or a longer asana practice a few times a week, make it non-negotiable.

2. Start Small

   • If you’re struggling to find time, start with just 10-15 minutes a day. Even a short practice can make a big difference in how you feel and how you show up for your students.

3. Integrate It Into Your Teaching

   • Use your teaching as an opportunity to deepen your practice. For example, if you’re teaching a particular sequence, practice it yourself before class. This not only benefits you but also enhances your teaching.

4. Mix It Up

   • Your personal practice doesn’t have to look the same every day. Some days you might feel like doing a vigorous asana practice, while other days a gentle yin session or meditation might be more appropriate. Listen to your body and let your practice be fluid.

5. Join a Class

   • Don’t forget the value of being a student yourself. Attend classes led by other teachers to learn, be inspired, and enjoy the experience of being guided.

The Ripple Effect on Your Teaching

When you make time for your own practice, the benefits ripple out into every aspect of your teaching. You become more grounded, present, and in tune with your students’ needs. Your classes will be infused with the freshness of your own discoveries, and your students will feel the difference.

By maintaining a regular personal practice, you ensure that your teaching comes from a place of authenticity and continued growth. This not only enhances your students’ experience but also supports the longevity of your career as a yoga teacher.

At Modern Yoga Teacher, we believe in the importance of balancing teaching with personal practice. Our Modern Yoga Teacher Mastermind is designed to support you in this balance, offering guidance on how to sustain your own practice while building a thriving yoga business.