In a survey I put out on Facebook about yoga teaching, I discovered that the number one concern of yoga teachers was not getting on their yoga mats for practice.
Not surprisingly, the second biggest concern was making ends meet.
The two concerns go hand in hand, I thought.
Enter what I call, the Vicious Cycle of Yoga Teaching:
- Run all over town teaching up to 18 classes a week to make ends meet.
- Oops, no time for practice!
- Teach sub-par class, due to lack of practice/inspiration/groundedness.
- Get home, have no time for reflection, fun, recreation or family time.
- Get up the next day with even less inspiration, and teach to an even smaller group of students.
- Make very little money to pay bills or have a life.
- Rinse, lather, repeat.
Fortunately this does not have to be your reality!
When you get yourself off the hamster wheel long enough to get your practice in, here is what I call the “Superhero Cycle of Yoga Teaching:”
- Practice six days a week.
- Eliminate all extraneous classes not worth your time and add those classes which are most enjoyable, valuable and easy to teach.
- Teach high quality classes that help your students progress and feel good about themselves.
- Your income will naturally increase, affording you more time on your mat.
- Enjoy this increased time to study, practice, manage your finances, vacation, be with family and friends, and live your life!
- Get even more inspired.
- Rinse, lather, repeat.
Which cycle would you rather be in?
Even though it is hard to break the cycle, you must carve out the time to practice, and getting out of the house to take one of your peer’s class could be the jumpstart you need!
Attending a peer’s class is a wonderful way to both get on your (much neglected) mat, while supporting your brother and sister yoga teachers in their teaching, which in turn helps support the growth and expansion of all the local yoga in your community. And guess what, this includes, supporting your local yoga! (When the whole thing grows, you grow with it!)
Another plus is that by showing up regularly at events and classes, you increase your visibility and the opportunity to network with the student body at the studio or gyms where you teach. So your following will grow as students are reminded about you and get to know you in other places besides your class.
Jump off the hamster wheel, and trust what’s ahead!
The more you get on the mat, you must trust that the practice itself will help you optimize your life in all areas: Managing your time, being more in nature, hanging with family/friends, study, organizing your office, de-cluttering your house, and/or choosing the most optimal teaching schedule to maximize your offering.
When these things fall into place, you gradually ease more and more into the “Superhero Yoga Teaching Cycle”!
The end result? Better yoga classes for our students, and a more inspired world…
Please leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts and dreams!
About Amy Ippoliti
Amy is a yoga teacher, writer, and philanthropist. She is known for her innovative methods to bridge the gap between ancient yoga wisdom and modern day life, helping yoga students “turn up their own volume.”
Amy is a pioneer for advanced yoga education serving both students as well as fellow yoga teachers. She co-founded 90 Monkeys, a professional development school that has enhanced the skills of yoga teachers and studios in 43 countries around the globe.
She can be found online as a featured instructor for YogaGlo.com (the leading online yoga provider). She has graced the covers of Yoga Journal and Fit Yoga Magazine and has been featured in Yoga International, Self, Origin Magazine, New York Magazine, Yogini Magazine (Japan), Allure (Korea), Elephant Journal, MindBodyGreen and many more. Amy is a faculty member at the Omega Institute, Esalen and Kripalu.
Since the age of 14 Amy has been a champion of all forms of eco-consciousness, animal conservation and more recent forays into marine conservation.
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