It might surprise you to learn that quite a lot of
people who ask for a one-to-one session are beginners. Often, they want to get
a few basic postures and a bit of terminology under their belt before venturing
into a general class, or they might simply want to find out a bit more about
yoga (and the teacher) before committing to a course.
Others like the security and discretion that a
private lesson affords if they are shy or lacking in confidence and therefore
uncomfortable in a public class. Others still might have health considerations
that make a public class inappropriate. Some just prefer to have a teacher come
to them, so that they are in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Yogis returning to practice after a break sometimes
book a one-to-one session to refresh their knowledge and also for the insight
it brings into their physical, emotional and spiritual condition.
While it is lovely to be able to go to a yoga class
on a regular basis to support our personal, home-based practice, this simply
isn’t possible for everyone. If you have a complicated home or work life and
find it difficult to commit to a regular class, booking ad hoc private lessons
can be an invaluable way to keep up your practice in a way that is better
suited to your lifestyle.
Even if you are attending a regular class, a
one-to-one can still be beneficial if, say, you need a bit of a boost to your
motivation (this is also true for those who practise alone; in fact, they may
well be in greater need of inspiration).
Experienced yogis might book a one-to-one session:
- To work through questions about a specific asana – for example, ways to approach the challenges of Scorpion
- To explore in depth a particular aspect of yoga that isn’t covered in their general class, such as chanting, working with mudra and bandha, or exploring yoga philosophy
- To establish, develop or update a personal practice
- If they feel they are not receiving sufficient adjustment or attention from their teacher in a class situation – the personalising of the teaching is a key factor for many private students
- To explore a different branch of yoga or teaching style
- As a treat – for the cost of a decent haircut, you could find your yoga practice kick-started, revitalised and re-energised
