The Draining Side of Teaching Yoga: Understanding and Coping with Energy Depletion

As yoga teachers and healers, our passionate calling rest upon guiding others towards physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. While it can be deeply rewarding, it's essential to acknowledge the toll it can take on our own energy level and well-being. Teaching multiple classes a day, holding space for others, and being emotionally present can leave us feeling drained and depleted. Let's explore why this happens and how we can effectively manage and restore our energy.

Understanding the Sources of Drain

Emotional Essence & Layers

Yoga teaching involves a significant amount of emotional layers. We hold space for students as they navigate their inner landscapes, making ourselves emotionally available to support them through challenges and breakthroughs. This constant giving can become draining, especially for those who are highly empathic.

Energetic Exchange

In any teaching or healing practice, there is an energetic exchange happening between the teacher and the students. This exchange can leave us feeling inspired … or exhausted. If we are unsure of how to maintain healthy boundaries or we simply lose sight of maintaining healthy boundaries, this can lead to an exploitative energy exchange — which has a hefty cost.

Physical Exertion

Teaching multiple yoga classes a day requires stamina, physical and emotional. If we are demonstrating classes, poses, and adjusting students all day we can wind up feeling pretty tuckered out.

Coping Strategies for Energy Restoration

Self-Care Practices

Prioritize self-care practices that nourish the mind, body, and soul. This could include our own yoga practice, meditation, walks in nature, a soak in a warm bath, journaling, creating or any activity that rejuvenates and supports us. Remember, we pour from a full and nourished cup!

Establish Healthy Boundaries

Learn to set healthy boundaries with students. Healthy boundaries are maintained through the balance of giving and receiving. This process is highly individualized, let your feelings be your guide, trust your inner knowings. If a certain interaction with a student feels too much, then honor your intuition.

Grounding and breathing exercises, affirmations, visualizations, or simply stating intention to preserve our energy can be effective ways to maintain healthy boundaries while teaching.

If we become triggered during teaching, aim to remain calm. By remaining composed during triggering moments, we not only preserve our dignity but also set a positive example for students. Remember that it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times. When we offer ourselves kindness and compassion we become the embodiment of love rather than (more) pain.

Taking a moment after class to gently shake the physical body can be a simple yet effective way to release any lingering tension or stress. This practice allows us to let go of any pent-up energy and create space for a sense of renewal. Embrace this opportunity to reset and recharge, knowing that we deserve moments of self-care and rejuvenation amidst our teaching journey. Taylor Swift writes and sings about this healing medicine, so go ahead and,“Shake it Off!” It works!

Seek Support

Don't be afraid to seek support from fellow (trusted) yoga teachers, mentors, or therapists. Talking about our experiences and challenges with others who genuinely understand can be incredibly validating and healing.

Rest and Recharge

Strive to ensure that we give ourselves time to rest and recharge between teaching sessions. When possible, it can be cleansing to step outside, look to the sky, notice a bird sitting on limb — connecting with nature. We can invite the beauty of nature to remind us of innocence, joy and our own sovereignty.

Scheduling regular breaks, staying hydrated, nourishing with healthy foods, and prioritizing rest and sleep can usher in vitality.

Teaching yoga, holding space for others who are on a healing journey is a noble calling, but it's essential to recognize the importance of caring for ourselves as well. By understanding the sources of drain, embracing our own limits and sensitivities, implementing effective coping strategies, and prioritizing self-care, we are cultivating a gracious and loving presence within ourselves and in the broader world.