Teaching aerial arts is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. It’s not too unusual to end up becoming burned out as you dedicate yourself to your classes. Have a look at this list to check in with yourself. (Check out this article for suggestions to prevent and reverse burnout.)

1. Persistent Fatigue:

• Feeling physically and mentally drained even after a full night’s sleep.
• Difficulty summoning the energy needed to teach or perform aerial routines.

2. Decreased Performance:

• Decline in teaching performance or personal aerial skills.
• Frequent mistakes and reduced attention to detail during classes or demonstrations.

3. Increased Irritability:

• Becoming easily frustrated with students or colleagues.
• Decreased patience and tolerance for mistakes, both your own and others’.

4. Loss of Passion:

• A diminishing interest in aerial arts and teaching.
• Feeling disconnected from the excitement and creativity that initially drew you to this discipline.
• Actively negative thoughts about teaching.
• Sense of DREAD when thinking about going to the studio (or your online venue).

5. Emotional Exhaustion:

• Overwhelming emotions, including sadness, anger, anxiety, or apathy.
• Difficulty managing emotional responses during classes or interactions with students.

6. Physical Ailments:

• Lingering injuries or new physical ailments related to overuse or stress.
• Frequent headaches, muscle tension, or digestive problems.

7. Isolation:

• Withdrawing from social activities or avoiding interactions with colleagues (may be normal if you’re a double pisces introvert like me though haha).
• Feeling isolated from the aerial arts community or your support network.

8. Insomnia or Sleep Disturbances:

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Waking up feeling unrefreshed and fatigued.

9. Minimal Self-Care:

• Ignoring your own self-care needs, such as proper nutrition, hydration, and exercise.
• Skipping meals or physical and mental health practices.

10. Cynicism and Detachment: – Developing a cynical attitude toward teaching or students. – Feeling emotionally detached from your work and students’ progress.

11. Decreased Creativity: – Struggling to come up with new choreographies or teaching methods. – Feeling stuck in a creative rut.

12. Decreased Motivation: – Lacking the enthusiasm to continue professional development or expand your aerial skills. – Feeling as though teaching has become a monotonous routine.

13. Mood is reflected in students: – We profoundly affect our students – they will often mirror our state of mind. Notice if your students seem low energy, down on themselves, give up more easily, or are attending class less.

Check out this article for suggestions to prevent and reverse burnout.

AND if you’re a studio owner –

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