August 14th, 2021

YOGA AND SELF-LOVE

Many would say that practicing yoga is a form of self-care and self-love. Yes, it is true. However in this article, I wanna talk about yoga and self-love from my own experience as an instructor.

Having a profession as a yoga instructor is not only about giving clues and telling clients how to do yoga poses, but most importantly holding the space for each client. Every client is special with their own needs. They may have concerns regarding physical health, mental health, emotional health or the combination of all three. It is very important for them and me as the guide to understand about ourselves, who we truly are inside, what makes us happy, what we want to create, how to keep our masculine and feminine energy in balance so that we are healthy, and most importantly yoga practice is there to remind us that we are a whole and complete human being, that we are not a broken piece which we often forget.

Guiding clients in a yoga class needs the teacher to hold the space for each individual. It is about exchanging energy, giving and receiving. For the clients, it is in the form of feeling good in general, not only in the body. For the teacher, it is in the form of money as payment of services, and seeing the clients happy and healthy. I had experience regarding holding the space. For these past few months, I have been helding many yoga classes per week. I can teach 3-4 yoga classes per day. In the beginning it was okay. I thought I could handle it, and I was teaching online anyway, so I did not have to spend too much time on the road.

However, I was wrong. I felt burn-out and tired. I did not have that much energy anymore by the evening. So, I did my own self-love thing which was to limit the classes from teaching three classes for a client, becoming two classes per week. It took me courage to say that to the client, but I felt relieve afterwards. I did what was best not only for me, but also for the client. So she can have maximum result for her practice.

That was my story regarding self-love and work. What was your story? You can tell me in the comments below. Sharing about ourselves in a safe community is a good thing. You do not know what you will learn and whom you can help. So, do not hesitate to tell your stories.