This is what the program instructors won’t teach you.
I absolutely love what I do! I teach yoga, pilates, and personal training. I have a private coaching practice helping women have a healthy relationship with food, movement, and self-care. However, many people who aspire to enter this fitness industry don’t realize the amount of energy it takes to do this job. Gaining certifications is fun! And it feels fantastic to be a part of a group of people all passionate about the same thing, whether a fitness certification or a yoga teacher training program.
But what the program instructors won’t tell you is that this is often a career that feels exhausting. And it’s not because of the physical practice of yoga or exercise.
It’s important, as an instructor, to be a cheerleader for your personal training clients or yoga students, to give them the energy to push through one more round, or to keep them motivated when they don’t want to continue the flow – it’s emotionally draining. It requires a lot of emotional heavy lifting.
You have to prepare your own body and mind first. Unfortunately, the turnover for personal trainers and yoga instructors is so fast that they burn out quickly because they don’t prioritize their own self-care before their clients. The same is true for caregivers, teachers, and nurses. We have to make self-care a normal part of our society and not a luxury item.
Here is a “behind the scenes” look at my life- while I wait for a private client to arrive, I either stretch or meditate so that I am ready to hold space for this person. I take care of myself first before I am able to offer my services.
Schedule 10 minutes today to do something that fills you up emotionally. Ten minutes- that’s it. We all have that available on our calendars. Whether it’s stretching, meditation, drawing, or reading a book or magazine article. Ten minutes, you deserve it!
