Let’s talk about a topic often brushed aside in the world of yoga teaching: burnout. There’s often a reluctance to discuss it because, as yoga teachers, we’re expected to exude love for our work 24/7. But let’s be real—burnout is real.
Understanding Burnout
Overcoming burnout is a personal journey, and it’s prevalent among yoga teachers. Recognizing it is the first step toward addressing it.
Burnout manifests in many ways. It’s that sinking feeling when work fills you with dread, the blank mind staring at your computer, and the emotional and physical exhaustion that breeds resentment. Burnout can sneak up on anyone, even Zen yoga teachers, and it often comes in three flavors: physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.
The Culprit: Overbooking
One major culprit is overbooking your schedule. Running from one class to another is a fast-track to burnout. Studio classes may fill your schedule, but they also mean traveling across town, early mornings, and late nights. Self-care takes a back seat, and your own practice falls by the wayside.
Burnout is more than just stress; it’s stress on steroids from long-term exposure. Watch for these early warning signs:
- Perpetual tiredness
- Overwhelming stress
- A pessimistic outlook
- Isolation
- Self-doubt
- Procrastination
- Helplessness
Avoiding Burnout
One key strategy to dodge burnout is changing your business model. Building an online course that you can sell repeatedly can be a game-changer. Sure, there’s upfront work in setting it up, creating content, and building a community. But remember, anything worthwhile requires effort.
Having a course in place and launching it several times eliminates the burnout-inducing cycle of constant reinvention.
The Path to Success
The goal is to free yourself from the grind of one-on-one or studio teaching. You possess valuable skills that can be shared beyond your local studio. Building an online course and growing your offerings can provide freedom, financial security, and a global reach.
You don’t need a massive following—what you know is enough. With the right guidance and effort, packaging your expertise into a course can change the game.
We want all yoga teachers to thrive, and we’ve witnessed how online courses can transform lives. When you’ve mastered live launches, consider transitioning to an evergreen model. It’s another step towards freeing up your time and avoiding burnout.
In the end, burnout shouldn’t be an inevitable part of your journey as a yoga teacher. With the right strategies and a willingness to evolve, you can achieve lasting success and make a lasting impact on your students and the world of yoga.
