Zumba burnout

I do a lot of stuff with Zumba. I teach three times a week. I am always on the lookout for new choreography and music. I spend hours watching YouTube clips and DVDs for instructors. I have to learn new routines regularly and then teach them a few times to my classses before they seem to work seamlessly. I attend master classes. I attend choreography jam sessions. I support other instructors by going to their classes. I am constantly networking within the Zumba world for new teaching opportunities.

Sometimes it can be a bit much.

Teaching can be a blessing and a curse. Usually I am thankful that I teach because I have an obligation to fit some kind of workout into my schedule. Sometimes, however, I REALLLLY don't want to teach because I'm tired, ornery, lazy, sick, or just unmotivated.

Yesterday was one of those days. I was feeling tired of all of my routines and tired of the attendance struggle that has cycled its way back. I haven't had time to focus on new choreography. I was sick of my warmup. I was sick of my cooldown. I was sick of everything in between. I didn't want to teach. I especially didn't want to teach a small class of one or two students; I simply didn't have the energy for that. Because, yes, it takes a LOT more energy to teach a small class...mostly because all the energy of the class has to come from you.

And then I taught two classes in two different facilities.

I don't know how I got myself to do it. I was not feeling up to it beforehand. But I taught my regular class and then was asked to sub in Pleasant Grove where I am a new sub. This was my first opportunity to sub, so regardless of my feelings, I had to accept. That's just how I roll.

I was still very, very tired by the end of my day. (I had an hour break in between classes and got home around 9:30 pm.) But it seemed worth it. Often when I feel unmotivated, all I have to do is GO. Even a small workout can be so invigorating. And it was really good for me to teach a whole new group of students. It's easier to teach old routines when everything is new to the students.

But the main thing that makes teaching Zumba worth it? The students. Simple comments are all it takes to make me want to keep going.

After teaching my class in PG, I talked with some of the students and thanked them for sticking it out with me. (Any of you group fitness junkies know that when you get used to your instructor, it is super hard to welcome another.)

One said, "Thank you for class. I wish you weren't a sub and had a regular class here. I was a little worried when I saw XXX wasn't here, but you were great."

Made my day.

ANNNDDD....while I really, really do love teaching Zumba (even if I have to remind myself sometimes), I'm really grateful I don't teach any classes this weekend. Here's to a better Zumba week next week.