Finding and Keeping Your Own Time: Teacher Tips
Why is it that so many people become teachers because they love movement and then our own workouts go out the window?
I remember when I first felt called to teach. I had been trapped in a self-made prison, unhappy in my 225 pound, deconditioned body. I worked my way to health and I was inspired to help others find the same joy I felt.
Joseph Pilates is quoted as saying “the first requisite of happiness is physical fitness” and this was certainly true for me (even though at that time I had never heard of Pilates, I know exactly what he meant!)
Why is it so common for teachers to become inconsistent in their own workouts?
For me, it started when I was trying to build my business. One day, a client that I badly wanted to help said the only time they could meet me was the very time I had reserved for myself, so I gave them my reserved time. I put their needs before mine and scheduled the session in my workout time. My personal time. I thought, “I’ll just pick another time” but the pattern – the habit – had been broken and worse than that, a new pattern – a new habit – started. My own workouts, my own sacred time, became secondary to the wants and needs of my clientele.
This wouldn’t have been such a big deal except that I had been putting others ahead of myself for years, so I was reinforcing a long-held pattern. The people pleaser pattern. Putting others first.
The very joy from movement that I felt and wanted to transmit to others I had now taken from myself.
I know you might be reading this and thinking “oh that’ll never happen to me,” but trust me, more than likely it will. The number one issue that I hear from students who become teachers is that once their requirement for practice hours is fulfilled, they begin to focus almost solely on teaching. The reality is that we have a very physical job, and we’re probably tired in the evening. We are trying to keep client and class schedules, make a living, and it’s easy to let our workouts go…
Here are some tips, based on my lived experience:
- Set a workout time for yourself and stick to it.
When “that” client says your chosen workout time is the ONLY time they have available, it’s the Universe testing you on your resolve. Tell them that time isn’t available. You don’t necessarily have to tell them that it’s for your own workout. I guarantee you they will 100% find another time you have open that works for them. It’s amazing, works every time. - Get creative: at the end of the day, I am tired. I have found that what works for me is to do my actual energetic workout in the morning and then do more of a stretch workout in the evening. Think Hundred or Vinyasa flows or weight training in the morning and feet in straps or stretching or gentle yoga or a nice walk in the evening.
- Reduce the amount of time that you spend class planning. Plan one class for a one or two week period and teach it to everyone! You can increase or decrease intensity as-needed and then you can do that workout (or a part of it) for yourself every day. If you do this, you can tell your clients you’re doing the same thing that they are, that you know how it feels and you can report how you are feeling stronger or more flexible or whatever it is that you’re feeling from doing the same workout they are.
- Be realistic about your energy. Our energy every day goes to lots of things. Pets, children, family, clients, other activities that we are doing, other responsibilities that we have. So it’s OK to cycle up and down in intensity. On my long work / client or teaching days, my workout may consist of biceps curls, footwork, and feet in straps, or some lazy recumbent elliptical cardio. On days where I have more energy to give to myself, you may find me bench pressing, playing with my TRX, kettle bells, and practicing more rigorous workouts on the Pilates Apparatus or the yoga mat.
- You don’t have to do it all. It doesn’t have to be perfect, or a big deal. You just need to do something, consistently, every day.
I hope that helps! Please let me know if you have found solutions that work for you, or if you’re struggling with time and energy. Above all else, keep moving!
I hope that helps! Please let me know if you have found solutions that work for you, or if you’re struggling with time and energy. Above all else, keep moving!
With love, Gwen
Want to dive deeper?
Join Gwen in Foundations or the Safe Movement For All Spines Mentorship.