Finding Your Way Back to the Mat - How To Rekindle Your Passion As A Yoga Teacher

I have a confession: I'm not feeling overly passionate about yoga right now.

I don't know about you, but throughout my 10-year journey with yoga, there have been several times when I've lost the spark and haven't felt like coming to my mat.

The first few times this happened, I panicked, wondering if my love for practicing and teaching yoga would ever return. But thankfully, every time, it did.

That's why, this time, I'm not too concerned about my dwindling passion. I know that it's normal to go through stages of not wanting to come to your mat, and most importantly, these phases are ALWAYS temporary.

So, if you're feeling the same way as me, know that it's OK to feel uninspired about practicing and teaching. This, too, shall pass.

5 Ways to Rekindle Your Love for Yoga

Now, I know what you're thinking - "I have a full schedule of yoga classes to teach. Will my students notice my lack of passion?"

I get it. As yoga teachers, we feel a responsibility to bring 100% to every class, which can be difficult if we've lost the spark.

That's why I'm sharing the five things I do to rekindle my passion for teaching and practicing yoga. I hope they work for you as well as they do for me.

1. Go on a yoga retreat

This one might sound drastic, as we can't always up and leave. However, if you're in a long-term yoga drought, attending a yoga retreat will undoubtedly get the creative juices flowing again.

There is something magical about immersing yourself in the practice for a few days. 

Regardless of how experienced you are or how long you've been teaching, there is always something new to take away from yoga, and retreats are an excellent way to tap into the practice's continuous gifts.

​​Self-Reflection and Inner Work

We often lose our spark for teaching or practicing when there's something going on in our lives. Perhaps we're stressed, anxious, or feeling uncertain about the future.

Going on a yoga retreat can help you understand how you are feeling and clarify what you need to do to turn things around. It's a chance to realign with personal goals and values.

Stepping Away from Routine

It's easy to get caught up in schedules, class prep, and the business side of things. A retreat allows you to step away from all these responsibilities and reconnect with the essence of yoga. Without the pressure of teaching, you can focus on your own practice and rediscover why you fell in love with yoga in the first place.

Learning from Others

Being around other teachers in an immersive experience can introduce you to new perspectives and techniques. You might find this sparks your inspiration and reignites your creativity.

2. Attend a new yoga studio/class

If you cannot go on a yoga retreat, the next best thing is to try a new studio, teacher, or class.

This is not to say your current yoga practice is causing your lack of passion, but as the saying goes, 'familiarity breeds contempt.'

A new studio or class gives you a fresh perspective, exposing you to different teaching methods, sequences, and approaches to yoga. This can:

- Spark inspiration and introduce new ideas

- Challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone, encouraging growth and excitement

- Relieve the pressure of self-practice, as you can be a passive participant being led through a practice

3. Delve into other aspects of yoga

This is a crucial point - yoga is so much more than asana!

If you're bored of sun salutations and warrior poses, you don't have to force yourself to practice them. 

You can switch it up by practicing a different style of yoga or by focusing on one of the other eight limbs.

For example, you may find it easier to come to your mat to meditate or do some breathwork. You don't have to move your body to be practicing yoga.

In fact, you don't have to come to your mat at all. If you're struggling to feel motivated to practice yoga, why not take this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy?

By delving into the ancient yogic texts, you may gain a deeper understanding of what yoga really means, giving you a fresh perspective of the practice.

4. Focus on practicing yoga in everyday life

I remember the first time I was uninspired to practice yoga. I had gone from daily practice to practicing once or twice a week. I started beating myself up and felt like a fraud.

But then I realized that even though I hadn't stepped on my mat, I was still practicing yoga every day - without even realizing it.

How?

Remember that two of the eight limbs of yoga (yamas and niyamas) are about how you treat yourself and others in everyday life. So you're practicing yoga as long as you live by the yamas and niyamas.

Living a yogic lifestyle has become so normal for me that I forget I'm doing it. It's no longer intentional, as it's ingrained in me. 

Does this mean I'm not practicing yoga? No way! 

As Patanjali taught, the limbs build upon themselves, meaning that the yamas and niyamas are the foundation. As long as your foundation is strong, you're still honoring the practice.

5. Try something different

Finally, stepping away from yoga and focusing on other things is OK. The truth is, as yoga is a holistic practice, many other wellness activities complement yoga's physical and mental benefits.

For example, Tai Chi can deepen your awareness of energy flow while gardening can help you become more present and connect with the earth.

So whether you go hiking, sign up for a dance class, or spend your weekends painting, you are likely still practicing some aspects of yoga anyway.

What's more, I've found that trying a new fitness activity or holistic practice reignites my passion for wellness in general, which helps bring me back to yoga. 

It's OK to Feel Uninspired

Feeling uninspired about yoga—or any passion, for that matter—is completely normal.

As yoga teachers, we often hold ourselves to high standards. But here's the truth - even the most dedicated practitioners experience periods of burnout or disconnection. It's part of the natural ebb and flow of life.

What matters most is how we respond to these moments. Instead of judging ourselves, we can use this time to explore, reflect, and be gentle with our practice.

Yoga is a lifelong journey, and it's perfectly OK if your passion fluctuates. Trust that your love for yoga will return in time, often stronger than before.