My 1st #TeachingVacation

If you are reading this, then you probably have some idea (or at least interest) about this wonderful opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, tropical vacation while also getting to teaching yoga (or group fitness, Zumba, STRONG, etc.). Here I am going to share with you my thoughts, just 1 week after returning from my first teaching vacation, thanks to Fit Bodies Inc.!

I first began, in late Fall of 2021, as a lurker in the Teach on the Beach Facebook group, as some of you probably are, and signed up for the Basic membership level, so that I had access to understand how the website and RSVP process works. As someone who tends to be a scheduled, organized, prepared person, I wanted to make sure that I did my homework before deciding on my first vacation. Yes, I did multiple searches to find what people were sharing about their experiences. Whether their feedback was about the location, the staff, the activities, the Wifi strength, or the yoga teaching schedule, I was taking it all in. While I didn’t formally make an excel spreadsheet, which is my typical fashion for trying to organize lots of information, I did make mental notes of what I was reading and then also started to pass along this feedback to my husband, so that he could feel like part of the process for our eventual vacation.

After months of being in this researching role, I took the plunge and signed up for the Medallion membership in March. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a planner, so I wanted to be able to have the most future access for the opportunity of a lifetime. In theory, it was nice/comforting to know that I had the next 14 months to secure a date and location. However, as I (and my husband) wrapped our heads around the idea, we began to think “What is the earliest, most feasible trip for us to make?” See we are both college professors and with it being March we could both feel that mid-semester slump and desire to have something to serve as a motivator to make it to the end of the term in May. Well, duh, what is a better motivator than booking a vacation in the upcoming weeks. Ultimately, we booked in mid-March for our late May travels.

The hours and hours of pouring into the unique opportunity had finally paid off, and had scheduled Hilton La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Now you might be asking yourself, “why” and really the answer was easy. “It felt right!” I say this as it was a resort that had a family side and an adult side, which I took as ‘there are plenty of options for things going on.’ It hosts multiple pros, which I took to assume that I would not be expected to teach outside of my scope of practice (or asked to do something that I was not comfortable with). I was able to find reasonable flights, both in terms of costs and flight path (we live in Florida, so there tends to be multiple flights). And lastly, just look at the photos of the resort; it looks like paradise…and it truly was just that!

So, let’s get into the overall experience of coordinating and taking a teaching vacation by offering you the following tips/considerations.

First, the process of booking your desired vacation location on the FitProTravel website was easy. Take some time to point-and-click around the learn about all of the amazing opportunities, and then consider:

• What type of credentials does the resort desire/require?
• What does the ‘example’ teaching schedule look like? (I encourage you to review the FB group for people who have recently taught at your desired resort to learn about the teaching schedule; but do keep in mind that schedule is subject to change and often fluctuates due to weather, resort capacity, and your credentials).
• What location do you desire?
• What are the average costs of flights from your home to your desired location?
• What type of amenities do you desire?

Second, preparing for and packing for your vacation.

• Once you have received confirmation from Fit Bodies headquarters, you can book your transfers AKA transportation to/from the resort. They make it super easy and then will send you the transfer vouchers a few days prior to your departure.
• Monitor the weather at your destination, so you can dress accordingly
• Make note of luggage costs and weight requirements; You may want to consider how to best balance your goods and their weight across a checked bag and your carry on/personal item.
• In these current times we are living in, ABSOLUTELY 100% get travel insurance! This too will take some time to shop around for, and of course, Fit Bodies is there to assist with that.
• Suncreen is a must! Why not focus on #ReefFriendly #OceanFriendly brands like SunBum and ReefRepair.
• And then there’s packing….. I’ve actually put together a post just about that very aspect of your vacation. Check it out here: Packing and Must Haves for Your Next #TeachOnTheBeach Vacation

Next, while at the resort:

• Take time upon arrival (and throughout your time) to walk around the grounds
• Make sure to take photos of anything/everything; Trust me, you will want to capture all of the views and moments
• Connect with the E-team/Fun Team manager or assistant manager to learn of your teaching schedule and responsibilities. In my experience, it was simply a matter of knowing where to go and when, as staff set up water stations or bottles of water and the mats and towels every day.
• Get to know staff wherever you go. By the time the week came to an end, there was about a handful of staff that I became familiar and close with (even took some pictures with these faves)
• Make sure to stay hydrated with a large container and I HIGHLY recommend some sort of electrolyte replacement (Dr. Berg’s Orange is my favorite, but it comes in multiple flavors), as I promised you will SWEAT plenty (remember, you are in a tropical location that has very high humidity and UV index).
• IMPORTANTLY, tip wherever you go! All staff work very hard to ensure vacationers have a wonderful experience. It does not need to be a lot. Here are some rough recommendations: $5 at breakfast, $5-10 at lunch, $10-20 at lunch, $1-2/ for beverages at the pool/beach…Anything is greatly appreciated (and remember the special opportunity you have of being on this vacation compared to the average guest).
• At departure, while trying to hold back my emotions of gratitude and sadness, I walked around and gave ‘Thank you’ cards and a small token of our gratitude to a few key individuals who made the trip and service so special.

Here are few special individual that I had the honor of interacting with during my stay at the Hilton La Romana resort.

Lastly, after returning home:

• Allow yourself some time to think and reflect upon the experience. In fact, why don't you journal or blog about it.
• IMPORTANTLY, get back on that computer and get started on booking your next #TeachingVacation

I know for sure that I will be booking my next one very soon! Click here to get started and sign up with Fit Bodies for free!

If you now have a burning desire to become a yoga teacher and be able to enjoy such trips, why not enroll now in your 200 hour yoga teacher training with MyVinyasaPractice. They have affordable online and supportive yoga teacher trainings that are wonderful and worthwhile.

Check out my detailed review about Teaching Yoga at the Hilton La Romana!

Don’t forget to check out my post, Must Haves for Your Next #TeachOnTheBeach experience!

I am truly buzzing; I have SOOO much to say about the experience and can’t wait to continue to share my journeys with you.

Until next time, take care and remember to breathe!

~Dr. Sandi

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