Mental Health Tips from Citizen Teachers
The week of September 7-13 is Suicide Prevention Week. We’re recognizing this important week by running a 7-day yoga challenge called Practice with Purpose. We’re encouraging students to take a class in-studio or online every day this week in order to reconnect with the depth and meaning behind your yoga practice. You can sign up for the challenge through 9/9/25.
Our teachers are the heart of our studios. It takes immense effort and energy to hold space, create authentic messaging, build and communicate challenging flows and to consistently show-up ready to lead and inspire students. We asked our incredible teachers to share a few go-to tips or routines that are key for maintaining their personal mental health.
Here’s what they shared:
MELISSA - Movement, journaling and connection with others. These practices enable me to check in with myself, to move energy and to feel supported and support others too.
ALICE - Moving outside, practicing yoga, meditation, spending time with friends and family. I recently started an indoor plant hobby and definitely notice a difference in my my morning mood when I wake up to a tidy house and take those few moments to make my bed!
KACEE - Signing out of social media
KAYLA - Each day I start my day by writing in my planner and journaling with very specific prompts. Everyday I do weight/resistance training, two days of cardio to prevent depression symptoms. I have also made it a goal to get 10k steps each day to control my cortisol levels, during my walks I like to listen to inspirational podcast (currently Mel Robbins is my go to). I have strong morning habits typically so I have been trying to establish the same in my evenings by reading in bed then using a guided meditation to fall asleep. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep is essential for me so I prioritize that above everything else! Also very specific supplements and adaptogens have been a huge support! I am trying to limit my caffeine and replace it with herbal teas!
ELYSE - If I’m feeling stressed - I ask myself four basic questions: 1. Did I get enough sleep? 2. Did I consume enough water and nutrients? 3. Did I talk about my feelings with anyone? 4. Did I ask for help? If the answer to any of those is no - I handle that first before trying to tackle my stressor. (These helpful tips were shared by student Kimberly Gillespie )
CINDY - Getting outside everyday, practicing yoga, cycling, walking, reading, doing daily creative activities such as painting or pottery, time with family and friends, and prioritizing sleep and healthy food!
SOOJIN - I check in with my body and energy to see what I need that day. What kind of movement or mindfulness practice can be easeful or grounding. Connecting to the elements. Moving the body some type of way. Letting myself be supported by fiends. Music is healing, at home solo dance party is healing, invoking particular goddess.
JULIE - I try to meditate for 20 minutes every morning and always scrape my tongue. Practicing Yoga and being in nature, walking outside, being with my kids, reading. I try to remember to take small moments throughout the day to feel my feet on the ground, take a deep breath and offer gratitude.
ALYSSA - Keeping up regularly with my therapist. Any type of movement practice, personal favs are running and yoga. I take a look at my self-care, making sure I’m nourishing myself, and getting enough sleep. A new one I’m incorporating, is working on creating safety in my body to allow myself to feel whatever is coming up. Sometimes that looks like breathwork, journaling, restorative yoga, and grounding techniques. Lastly, connection with others. Family, my partner, friends and the communities I’m in. Human connection and interaction, I find, is helpful in relating, and asking for support. 💕
SAMANTHA - For me, the foundation is always deep rest! optimizing my sleep is the most important piece. from there, I focus on getting outside, nourishing myself with whole, fresh foods that support my unique mind-body type through the lens of Ayurveda, and creating daily rituals that honor the natural rhythms around me. Each day, i make space to connect with both the world outside and the nature of my own body. whether that’s self-massage, a bath, gentle movement, or simply slowing down to listen inward. I also hold a non-negotiable practice of joy. Every single day, i do something that is not about productivity or making money, but purely about pleasure and aliveness, sometimes that’s my meditation or yoga practice, other days it’s skydiving, riding my dirt bike, dancing, making art, snuggling with loved ones, playing with friends or getting lost in a fantasy novel.
We’d love to hear your healthy habits in the comments!
