Embracing Balance: Lessons from Yoga Teacher Training

A Journey of Self-Discovery

This week has been a bit of a wake-up call. Here are three big lessons that smacked me right in the face:

1. You can’t please everyone.

2. You have to listen to your body.

3. You have to put yourself first.

   
   

As some of you know, I’m three weeks into a month-long yoga teacher training. It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve learned so much already, and I’m grateful to be here. But wow… let me say: I knew it would be a lot. What I didn’t know was what it would actually feel like in the moment. And that’s the thing—you never really know until you’re in it.

My days are long, my body is sore, and my brain? Total mush. At this point, I can tell you the Sanskrit name for every pose, explain the philosophy behind yoga, and probably even teach you a whole class right now. However, until I graduate next week, I don’t trust myself not to confuse left and right, so I may not be able to do so until then. (You know, safety first.)

The Importance of Balance

But let’s talk about the real thing I’ve been learning: balance.

For the first few weeks, I was doing everything. Training all day and then trying to maintain a social life at night. I spent weekends away with friends and tried to be present with my family. I was checking every “maintain a healthy work-life balance” box… except for one very important thing: me.

Turns out, you can’t just run on empty forever. Shocking, I know.

So, guess what happened? Yep—burnout. Classic. I hit a wall so hard I ended up crying during yoga class. In front of people. (If you’re picturing tears on a yoga mat… accurate.)

That moment forced me to pause. I realized I had been pouring so much into everyone else—my teachers, my peers, my friends, my family—trying to show up at 100% for every single person, every single time. And no one even asked me to do that! It left me completely drained. I wasn’t listening to my tired body or my overwhelmed brain. And I definitely wasn’t putting myself first.

The Shift Towards Self-Care

Since that tearful little wake-up call, I’ve made an effort to actually put myself first. I canceled all my plans. I’ve been sleeping, catching up on things I was behind on, and, most importantly, just being more present with my family. Honestly? It’s been amazing.

This week reminded me that when we talk about “work-life balance,” there’s a word missing: self. It should be “self, work, and life balance.” Jobs come and go, plans come and go—but you are stuck with yourself forever. If you don’t take care of that relationship, nothing else is going to feel balanced.

The Power of Self-Reflection

Taking time for self-reflection is crucial. It allows us to assess our needs and desires. We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, forgetting to check in with ourselves. This week, I learned the importance of slowing down. It’s okay to take a step back and evaluate what truly matters.

Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. When we prioritize our well-being, we can show up better for others. It’s a win-win situation.

Finding Your Center

Yoga teaches us to find our center. It’s about balance, both physically and mentally. When we practice yoga, we learn to listen to our bodies. We become aware of our limits and our strengths. This awareness extends beyond the mat. It influences how we navigate our daily lives.

As I continue my training, I’m reminded that balance is not a destination but a journey. It requires constant adjustment and awareness. Some days will be easier than others, and that’s perfectly okay.

So here’s your friendly reminder: it’s okay to choose yourself. You don’t need to bend yourself into a pretzel (even if you can physically do that now—thanks, yoga) to make everyone else happy.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in the next one.

XO,

Lynsey

Crogan, Jordan. “Pin by Yulia Nikolskaya on Trzy Wiosny in 2025: Quotes about Self Care, Quote Aesthetic, Inspirational Quotes.” Pinterest, 25 June 2025, www.pinterest.com/pin/89790586315247020/.