I just finished Marie Kondo’s book, Spark Joy. Kondo is a Japanese tidying expert, most famous and most revolutionary for her simple (yet difficult) task to only keep those things that spark joy for you. If something brings you joy, choose to keep it. If it no longer brings you joy, thank it and say goodbye.

I picked up her book as a contribution to my 2016 intention of being essential.

While the KonMari approach to tidying deals with physical items, I was continuously struck by how they apply to every aspect of our lives, including our own teaching.

I started teaching yoga because sharing yoga and being for others brings me joy. My guess is that your motivation to become a teacher was similar. Yet, I’ve still found myself teaching in many situations that did not bring me joy, including:

• Teaching at studios that did not treat me fairly
• Teaching at studios where the other teachers didn’t interact with the students before or after class
• Taking on time-slots that were inconvenient for me
• Teaching in clothes that made me self-conscious

I’m starting to wise-up to the fact that I’m deserving of teaching in a way that brings me joy. Teaching yoga is not martyrdom, and a joyous teacher is able to give more to their students than a tired, self-conscious one.

“Remember that you are not choosing what to discard but rather what to keep. Keep only those things that bring you joy. And when you discard anything that doesn’t, don’t forget to thank it before saying good-bye. By letting go of the things that have been in your life with a feeling of gratitude, you foster appreciation for, and a desire to take better care of, the things in your life.”

Marie Kondo, Spark Joy

How to Spark Joy In Your Teaching:

Get clear on when teaching brings you joy. Do you find joy teaching at particular studios? Teaching a specific demographic? Teaching your favourite style of yoga? Bringing yoga to parks or corporate spaces? Choose those opportunities. Make room for them, and seek them out. Appreciate the teaching opportunities that once served you but no longer do, and allow yourself to say goodbye.

Get clear on which yoga clothes spark joy. I’m aware of how superficial this sounds, but hear me out: We teach at our bests when we feel confident, and have our attention directed outward instead of on ourselves. Do you have any clothes that no longer fit you, or that never really fit you to begin with? Or, a pair of pants that have a hole in the crotch? If your clothes no longer spark joy for you, find a way to give them to someone who can actually cherish them (or perhaps they are ready to be recycled into something new, or thrown out).

Be essential with what you keep. Many companies will accept old mats and props that can be recycled. If you no longer derive joy from the things you once used in your practice, give them a new purpose by donating or recycling them.

Continue to find ways to bring joy into the room with you. I wear a mala bracelet from my dad when I teach. I also like to read quotes from the books I am currently reading. Maybe you have music you are happy to share, that complement the classes you teach. I have a friend who brings lavender oils to the classes she teaches outside of our studio, because it brings her joy to give the students something special in savasana.

When does teaching spark joy for you? Where can you afford to say goodbye to ways of teaching that no longer serve you?

Laura Fraser is a yoga teacher, digital media specialist & hand-lettering artist. You can learn more about Laura here.