Take a break from teaching?

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (downdog1) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:00:54 GMT

How cool to see how your decision unfolded over the past year! Thanks for reporting back, and bringing up an issue that pops up for me every now and then. I think many of us experience that burn-out feeling and think about giving up classes. It is so hard to "let go". I too am struggling with that same decision, I teach 9 classes of yoga and spinning -- monday through friday. I am also a school teacher and cross country coach. I have no free time except for weekends which is usually...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (Erich Schiffmann) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:04:16 GMT

Thanks for that. I agree.

love and pranams,

Erich

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (ManitobaYogi) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:06:24 GMT

Hello all:

I haven't been on the board for awhile due to other responsibilities and trying to "juggle" it all. I am so glad this blog started.

It's hard to put into words but I feel exactly the same like all of you. I have been a Certified Fitness Leader 25 years and Yoga Instructor for 4. I recently attended a fitness conference last week and felt so disconnected. For me, Yoga is my path both on a teaching and personal level and this conference had...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (Upward Facing Cat) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:47:25 GMT

Wow, it was a year ago that I started this thread. I suppose this is a good time to report back. lol. I never did stop teaching, and its all going great. I had a hard time getting back into the swing of things after having a baby... new stresses, new demands on my time, different body, etc. Did a lot of self-criticism, then letting go, then criticism, etc.... But as time went on, I was able to add more classes, self practice, etc., returned to my "old" teachers and feel really...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (purnayoga) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:14:56 GMT

Responsibilities signed on for must be responsibilities met. From what you add it sounds perfectly reasonable to be considering a break.

Though I cannot, with a clear conscious, use "it's so much fun to teach" as THE barometer. If you have immense joy from teaching that is beautiful. In fact we should have immense joy from all things we bring in our lives - no matter how yucky (or miraculous) they are:-)

In your process, consider setting aside "I like...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (Upward Facing Cat) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:17:53 GMT

There is a time for it all. Just as you must breathe in, to breathe out" - you may be in a place now where you need to expeirence what it is to be the teacher, by being the student.

I like those thoughts. But see, then I come home from teaching this morning and think "heck, no, I'm not stopping...its so much fun!" argh. I guess I need to keep...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (NamasteNancy) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 06:11:53 GMT

This reminds me of a statement Wayne Dwyer made: "Life unfolds organically. There is a time for it all. Just as you must breathe in, to breathe out" - you may be in a place now where you need to expeirence what it is to be the teacher, by being the student. It sounds like you plate is full and rasing a toddler is no part-time job. I have recently taken six months off from half of my classes due to a shoulder injury. There is always apprehension when you have spent the time to...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (Upward Facing Cat) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:45:52 GMT

Here is a little more detail about my situation and feelings. I have taught for just over 2 years, and in my first year, I was teaching about 5 classes a week. Then I had a baby (need I say more?!) and now I have a toddler. I also have a demanding full time job, and am working, one class at a time, toward a distance ed. masters degree. With all of this, I have scaled back to teaching 2 classes and my personal practice has taken a dive. As you all will understand, my teaching, and my...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (simpleyogini) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:54:05 GMT

I stopped teaching myself....after 5 years.....
it kind of worked out.that way......my friends that i was teaching..well they had this problem and that problem....so it seemed good to stop then, but they were very close friends to me.
things happen, their family gets ill, or there jobs change....so many thing change......

i would still love to teach and maybe when the universe calls me then i will.

during the time i stopped i started taking classes for...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (purnayoga) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:01:51 GMT

Dear Urhdva Mukha Marjarasana,

The reasons or intentions for your planned sabbatical would be directly proportional to my feedback. Why are you contemplating such a thing please?

I did take 18 months off when I moved from Florida to Seattle. I was teaching Power Vinyasa in Orlando then moved here to Seattle and felt that I had no business teaching something I had so obviously only scratched the surface of. Being around so many very skilled and qualified teachers was part...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (Lillylulu) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:25:32 GMT

at the beginning of last year i wanted to resign from teaching at this one place. i just couldn't make a decision.
finally something really important arose that would conflict with the timing of this teaching job and i finally gave up that job (my 1st yoga teaching).
the decision came in an instant and i just went with it without hesitation.
it was hard but i decided i would take the summer off and see what happens. I still kept my Monday classes (2). i enjoyed the summer....

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (sifumary) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:49:46 GMT

Funny thing... I've been teaching about 7-8 classes a week for the last six months. About two weeks ago I thought it would be nice if I had only 4 classes to teach since I was feeling a little "yoga burnout". Well, the universe delivered! Just this week the gym cancelled one of my classes and two of my weekly privates cancelled, too!

I was a little hurt by this sudden occurence, but then realized it what was I asked for!

I think I will enjoy teaching less...

Re: Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (kgs63) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:34:45 GMT

I'm very interested in your quest right now since I have also been contemplating taking a break from teaching, for many reasons. I know you're looking to hear from people who have made a decision about this issue so I know I'm not the one for advice right now, but I'm certainly curious about what you are wrestling with and why you're considering taking a break. I've been teaching health and fitness for 20 years and Yoga for 12 (in addition to doing other things) --...

Take a break from teaching?

feeds@yuku.com (Upward Facing Cat) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:09:56 GMT

Hi old friends. It has been a long time since I popped in. I have been wrestling with the idea of possibly taking a hiatus from teaching for awihle, and I just don't know what to do. (though "remembering to ask for guidance" comes to mind ). If any of you have ever stopped teaching, or thought about it and decided not to... or some other related...