On Wednesday night, while teaching my restorative yoga class, I had an epiphany: I’ve fallen back into the familiar routine of prioritizing my high school teaching job over my passion for yoga. It’s a bittersweet realization that’s been weighing on me, but I know life requires us to adapt and find balance.
During my year away from the school district, I explored various roles—cleaning houses, bartending, working as an education specialist for a business consultant, and ultimately taking over the Hotspot Yoga Studio. For eight months, I immersed myself in supporting others’ physical and mental well-being, a truly rewarding experience. However, transitioning back to the classroom has brought a disconnection from my body that I find challenging.
As educators, we often live in our heads, focusing intensely on our responsibilities. I spend so much time mentally engaging with my students that I sometimes forget to check in with my own body—its needs, hunger, or even the simple urge to take a break. My job, while fulfilling, tends to push self-care to the sidelines.
Reflecting on this, I've come to realize how crucial it is to maintain a connection with our bodies. No one is standing over me in a meeting, asking about my stress levels or whether I’m getting enough sleep. The focus is on supporting my students, which is important, but neglecting my own well-being can impact my ability to provide that support.
Understanding my body's signals—like a rise in blood pressure or a dip in energy—plays a vital role in maintaining my mental stability and, in turn, my capacity to engage with my students compassionately.
This brings me to an exciting opportunity: I invite all of you to join us for a somatic workshop led by my friend Melody Champion. Melody and I met last summer at a women’s retreat on Mount Rose, and I was immediately drawn to her vibrant energy and dedication to service. As I balance my dual roles, I’m eager to participate in her workshop as a student and deepen my understanding of my body’s needs.
The workshop focuses on somatic body work, exploring the connection between mind and body. It’s a wonderful chance for us to study this relationship both intellectually and physically in our yoga space.
Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 29th
- Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- Cost: Donation-based (no one should feel deterred by financial limitations)
I’m excited to embark on this journey of self-discovery with all of you. Let’s reconnect with our bodies and support each other in this practice.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Emilee
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