I used to think that being a full time Yoga teacher would be the ultimate dream career. In many ways it has been, but the things I thought would be amazing turned out to be less important and there are a few things that have been really challenging and that has made the career a pretty tough one. Believe me it is not all comfy clothes and peaceful vibes.
Here are a few things I have learned in my nearly two decades of teaching:
- Teaching Yoga is lonely.
I have been teaching Yoga for over 16 years and 99% of that time has been as a solo teacher out in the great big world all on my own. I taught at a gym studio briefly where I would occasionally pass by another fellow teacher and the rare team/staff meeting lended itself to some resemblance of a community, but that is it. When I left my j.o.b. to strike out and become a full-time Yoga teacher, the thing that hit me the hardest was how lonely it is. There are no weekly team meetings to bounce ideas off of a colleague, there are no lunches together to process tough situations and there is definitely no happy hours to celebrate successes. Instead, I sit in my car all alone feeling all the feels of what I witness and celebrating all by myself the “wins” of the day or week. There are no birthday lunches or holiday gatherings and there is absolutely nobody to collaborate with. Most days I wish more than anything I had someone who I could talk to that didn’t just say “wow that is so amazing”, or “what a difference you are making in the world”, but instead was able to ask questions, give me feedback and really help me grow as a teacher, and a human being. I am making a difference and I do think it is all amazing but I need collaborating and honest conversations about the work and the clients I serve. I need someone to hold me to the line when I need it. I am trying to find a community of teachers to collaborate with but it is tough. Sadly, the Yoga world is so competitive and I am finding that someone with a YTT piece of paper assumes they know it all and sharing ideas is not something of interest to most.
2. You are also a business manager and marketing guru.
Students don’t just fall into your lap. You have to market yourself and hustle if you want this to be your main focus in your work life. I spend on average 2-3 hours per day marketing my classes, reaching out to students, and communicating with agencies. I do all of my own invoicing and accounting, which I had to learn all on my own through trial and error. You might learn a few things in Yoga Teacher Training about running a business, but it isn’t until you really step into teaching that you will begin figuring out your business name/model, how to get your name out there and you have to figure out what works for you in your location. Social media is a great tool, but not your only option, especially if you are not looking to be a YouTube sensation. Learning how to do this is tough unless you have a marketing background and you will likely be doing do this all on your own, unless you opt to hire someone. Loneliness bleeds into this area as well because there are a ton of “experts” out there there may not really get what your focus or passion truly is. A Yoga business is not your average customer service based business and finding someone you “gets it” can be tough, especially when it is your name and your passion.
3. Wearing Yoga clothes everyday isn’t all that great.
Okay this might be a silly point to make point but there is some truth in it. I mean, yes, it is nice to be comfortable, but there is a limit to feeling like a slob seven days a week. I long to wear regular clothes and look so forward to slipping on a dress or a pair of tights jeans on a day off or out for the evening. And, unlike the common myth people think, you do not get to write off your Yoga clothes because you wear them to work. This may seem like a silly thing to everyday people but I am shocked at how many people tell me how lucky I am because I get to wear Yoga clothes everyday. I thought so too, until I realized it isn’t all that great. Ridiculous, but seriously so many people think this would be amazing.
4. Being “on” and inspiring everyday can be exhausting.
I give myself so much more grace on this than I did when I first began teaching. I thought I had to have the perfect theme and say every word precisely. I still hold myself to a very high standard when it comes to being prepared for my classes, continuing to teach topics that people can use to improve their lives (off the mat or chair), and I want to also challenge myself to grow right along side my students. I realize somedays are going to be a little off. Whether I had a horrible commute, am living with a lot of pain, or simply just don’t feel it on a certain day I have to be able to still deliver. I have a set of “go-to” class formats and themes that I pull from when I am in this place and I have also learned that honesty and transparency go a long way as a teacher. Students really want a real person to guide them rather than a person who can’t expose themselves and end up being given a half-effort attempt at a class.
5. The teacher teaches what the teacher need to learn.
I have learned over the years to go there with your students–and this includes my students with TBI and dementia, or my everyday able bodied students. By go there I mean be with them, sit with them, feel with them, laugh with them, receive with them. Be willing to learn from them, be humbled in yourself and you will be just fine. Be open to learning about yourself through the process of teaching and you will not only inspire others but you will grow exponentially as a teacher and a person. The more you teach a hard topic (for me this can be something like acceptance), the more you embrace it. Be willing to learn and never think that you know everything, even if you can speak fluent sanskrit and can translate all the sutras. To me a great teacher is one willing to learn alongside the student.
I wouldn’t change a thing when it comes to what I have chosen to do with this special life. I am grateful every single day that I get to serve. Before each class, as I enter through the threshold of a doorway, I speak this words in my head and heart and then I let go. “give me the words and show me the way”. When I allow Spirit to move through me and to receive, I pass that along to my students and all is well.
About Stacie
Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life.
With over sixteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is an E-500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is also certified in Integrative Movement Therapy™and is also a believer in the power and application of essential oils for health and wellness and proudly shares doTERRA essential oils.
Stacie brings her personal life experience of raising a daughter with a disability and over 12 years working in special education to her everyday Yoga classes.
In addition to teaching classes at a variety of local centers and health clubs, Stacie also continues to offer Yoga and Wellness coaching individually to those seeking private sessions.
