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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 feelings about my teaching, are impacted by this. Sometimes I feel my current life situation results in something valuable to share with students (do what you can, accept your limits, etc.). Sometimes I feel it results in uninspired, go-through-the-motions teaching.

I miss having my own teacher, and being able to take classes on a regular basis. I would like to do more teaching training at some point, too. (I have been able to take the occasional workshop). As you said, purnayoga, I would use any time off from teaching to dedicate to my own practice and education. Another thought is to find a workstudy slot with one of my studios so I can stay connected and still take classes for free. Yet another possiblity is to offer a lunchtime class to my co-workers in the office, therby folding my my teaching time into my work hours.

I'm not really afraid of losing out on future teaching opportunities by taking time off, as someone suggested. I have turned down several classes over the past 2 years, so I know there are always openings out there. I'm not sure what I'm afraid of. Losing yoga altogether? Not ever coming back? Losing my identity as *yoga teacher*? Missing out on something. Losing out on my few hours away each week to go to the studio and be someone other than mom, wife, and employee.

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 sitting with these ideas a bit longer until the real answer comes. I dont know. I want to do it all, and so far my philosophy is that I CAN, I just can't do it all as well as I used to. lol. Maybe I scale back to just one class a week? My worry is that whatever time I free up gets filled with something else (non-yoga). Next month might get easier because my husband's schedule will change and he will be home more in the evenings.

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 good about my own practice again. Teaching is going well. I have my two studio classes, and also teaching at my office twice a week which has been really fun.

I had had some yoga moms tell me it takes a good two years to get back on track, physically, sleep-wise, etc. I have found this to be very true...my girl turned 2 in July. So anyone else who is struggling with this, hang in there... it does change.

And just when it does, you start thinking about baby #2. haha.

xoxo
UFC