Well it’s been 3 months since I received my 200-hour registered yoga teacher’s license. It truly was one of the best experiences of my life and I would advise anybody that is thinking about doing it to take the plunge and go for it.
It was hard on me physically, mentally and spiritually and I learned more than I ever could have imagined.
When I finished, I thought I was going to conquer the world one yoga class at a time, but then a day came when my body said it needed a little break. It has now been one month since I have done anything more than a few sun salutations or a Pigeon pose here and there.
Honor Your Body
My body thanked me at first, and my mind did as well, and I thought I was doing something wrong—yoga is not supposed to be something you need a break from. But what I realized is that I had not been following what I personally consider the most important and only rule of yoga: “honor your body.”
Instead I was listening to my ego and trying to become the best yoga student and teacher…and as fast as I could be! It was not ill intentioned, it was my passion for yoga and the good it brings for me, but I over-did it.
And while I am grateful for my break and the clarity that has come with it, I now miss yoga.
I miss my grounded and clear mind. I miss the physical feeling of strength. I miss the challenge of pushing myself through a more difficult series. I miss the support of my fellow yogis. I miss the joy of melting into the bliss of Savasana.
My break from yoga has made my heart grow fonder. I know I need to reenter the world of yoga gracefully and truthfully, and truly honor what my body needs and not lose sight of the gentle way that I want to be in my yoga class—both as a yoga teacher and a yoga student.
Have any of you had to “take a break” from yoga? If so how did it make you feel?
by Kate Brunelle – Kate considers herself "an average midwestern gal" and health enthusiast who discovered yoga and instantly fell in love with it. She recently finished her yoga teacher training and would love to share her journey with others.
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