Private Yoga Sessions

I'm slowly getting a sense of what a private practice might look like, what it requires to start one. So, in your responses, it would be helpful to me if you included some details, such as: when you felt "ready" to do this; information on any marketing you may have done (whether you did it, whether you felt it to be valuable or not), where your clients come from, how frequently you see clients, how long (months, weeks, years?) you might see a single individual, how much time passes in between the visits of a particular client. And, of course, please feel free to share the pleasant surprises or not-so-pleasant pitfalls you may have encountered in pursuing private yoga sessions. Your experience and knowledge in this area are much appreciated!

ANSWERS:

From Nikki Weihe

I teach private classes and really enjoy the experience of sharing yoga one on one. I have a regular client that I "give yoga" (as she calls it) twice a week and we've been sharing yoga for over a year now. There aren't a lot of people who want to pay for private yoga, I've found, but those that do really value the service. One day, someone asked me if I would teach them yoga and I agreed. I've been teaching privately ever since.

You're ready to teach private yoga, Josie. It just takes a willingness to do it. Private classes are more intimate and can be quite precious. You'll enjoy them.

Nikki Weihe
Blue Flower Yoga
Boise, Idaho

from Hanuman (George) Novak, AYTT January 2001

re: How did you get started teaching yoga privately?

Smile-utations Josie

It was my experience that upon returning home I started teaching privately before I had opportunity to teach in a studio. Initially it was people whom I knew that wanted to 'try' yoga, and from there word passed to friends. I've not yet had to advertise my teaching. In a way it is fortunate that there is not a lot of places that offer yoga in the area so what I was offering was unique.

This flurry of activity quickly petered out, though. For many the novelty quickly wore off and they started cancelling lessons and eventually dropping it completely. But I do have a few who have remained true and have, through our lessons, developed a strong personal practice. That was the key indicator that I found, those who used the lessons to develop and fortify a personal practice were the ones who stayed in for the long haul.

How often sessions occur depends entirely on the individual and where they are in their own practice. Initially, as they were training the body and the mind to a new practice, lessons were weekly. As they advanced intervals were extended to every other week, and with all but one the lessons now occur once a month.

My situation has changed now in that I am teaching at a studio (yippee!). I still have 5 regular private clients, but the studio is providing another type of contact, the consultation. Basically it is people from the classes who want a little extra attention for some specific problems. I already know them from class and so the assessment is minimal and we can get right to the core from the onset. I think for the most part these will be one time deals, although we never know.

Open your heart to what is trying to happen and let Spirit know that you are willing to serve ... then just go with the flow of how it manifests for you. There is no mystery to sharing yoga, and indeed it is sharing as you and your clients will grow from each session.

Currently I assist teaching 3 classes a week and teach a meditation course at a studio in Hamilton, ON, Canada. I have had over 24 private students over the last 6 months, 5 of whom have become regulars. I'm hoping to get back to the Expanding light in 2003 so that I can complete my level 2 training.

I'd be more than happy to share more with you. You can email me at

georgeanovak@hotmail.com
Hanuman (George) Novak, R.Y.T.

From Julie Boone YTT Fall 99, assistant Winter 02

Hi Josie!

I have offered private classes for about 2 years. I started by listing on my business cards "private classes and small groups." I passed these out in my regular group classes. People from the regular group classes show interest and refer to friends.

I determined my pricing based on how many sessions the student committed to. I currently charge 75 for one session (one and a half hr); 240 for 4 sessions (60 each); 350 for 8 (50 each) and $480 for 12 sessions (40 each). No one has ever asked for just one class, but I like having that rate so people feel that they're getting a deal... and are willing to commit to a practice. These prices are for sessions in my home studio, I charge more for traveling to them. I ask that they pre-pay and we discuss the need for 24-hour cancellation in order to re-schedule.

A few of the privates turn into small groups... I've had two friends share the fee and then we turned it into a class of 4 then 6. I have had more private sessions with 2 students than 1:1.

I find that the one on one classes take just as much (if not more) effort to teach. I offer a lot more hands on adjustments of the poses. You would really benefit from taking the YTT assistantship to finesse this technique.

I do a client profile which includes the medical history and waiver as well as contact info (address phone). We set and review goals (flexibility, pain relief, relaxation, better sleep, etc). I take session notes on the back of the sheet.

I have never worked 1:1 with a male client and would be cautious about doing so. A few clients need to be kept on task and redirected from turning the session into a chat session. I have experienced that people want to talk and be listened to. I pay attention to my inner guidance as to when things are turning into more than I am qualified to offer.

Best of luck to you dear Josie! If you would like to send me (jboone@surewest.net) your snail mail address, I would be happy to send you a sample of my business card and brochure.

Blessings,
Julie

From Georgia Stansell, RYT, AYTT May 2000

A few experiences to share -

I have a long-term client who I teach privately and we both really enjoy it!! There is a very special and unique energy with her that I have not felt in a regular class. This client has many physical challenges and is deaf. Her class is very tailored to her specific needs and goals which are extremely helpful to her condition. She would not do well in a regular yoga class.

In other private sessions that I've done, the clients who were motivated by a specific goal did well. Sessions with clients that had no focus or goal seemed to fizzle or just wouldn't show. By the way, I charge clients who do not call ahead of time when they are going to miss class. I also give them their first class free and we go over what they want to accomplish so the classes have a direction.

Another experience I had was with an adult female with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). During relaxation she was triggered into a 'state'... As I noticed that something was not right, I raised my voice to reconnect with her but that didn't work, so I lightly touched her arm which scared her terribly. She became very agitated! Since I teach out of my studio where there is a receptionist on staff, I had a witness, 'just in case'. I possibly could have been in a legal bind had there not been another set of ears to back me up that I didn't assault her. Her recollection of being assaulted was from her memory, not my touch. I was back to square one with building trust with her but things worked out ok. This client wasn't able to come to a regular group setting so a one to one class was the way to go for her situation.

In short, clients who have a sincere purpose for private classes are more likely to show up and progress with their Yoga practice. Be smart about who you agree to work with, where, duration, rate, progress review, etc... and things should be fine!

Cheers!
Georgia

(My Second Response) I forgot to answer a few of your questions.

I got started doing private yoga classes because a mother of a handicapped girl called me out of the blue and asked if I would work with her daughter. After hearing about her condition, I felt that I was totally NOT qualified!! The mother was persistent so I suggested that we work together for 3 classes then review. I'm happy to say that we have been working together ever since... which has been 11 months, now. We meet one day a week and her class is 50 minutes long. This client has been such a blessing to me and I have learned so much! ...even sign language!

Other than the client above, most (not all, but most) persons who ask for private classes are folks who feel very awkward in their body, are over weight and/or think that they have to know how to do poses before attending a class. 80% of these folks proceed onto a regular class. I explain the basics of asanas, pranyama, prop usage and what to expect in a class. We talk about any concerns they may have and proceed from there.

My format in working with clients privately is to start with a free, one-hour consultation. I then guide them in a progression of either one to one sessions or into the most appropriate class for them.

While I feel that teaching Yoga one to one is more true to Yoga traditions, there are too many people in my community that need and want Yoga for me and the small handful of teachers to address everyone's needs. There's just so much to teach and learn!

Best of luck!
Georgia
I have been teaching for 5 years and opened my own studio last March.

From: Rosa Townsend, England, AYTT Spring '02.

Hi Josie, I have been doing private lessons for the last 2 and a half months and am leaving my job to pursue yoga fully. First, I have made flyers that give information of the benefits of yoga. I don't make it too spiritual, I don't want people to feel sceptic if they are not conscious of that part of themselves. I have also mentioned the cost, my number for more information, and that the class can be either a one - one or one - two. I have noticed that these days people are a little scared of having someone they don't know go to their homes. And if it's 2 students, they can split the cost of the lesson. The disadvantages are that they can be more infrequent that I'd like. Maybe it's just that my student is not as serious as I'd be w/ a private, but it can be inconvenient. Sometimes they cancel at the last minute. But I'm sure that not all students are this way. I know I wasn't when I was a student w/ a private teacher

I bring any prop that they might not have that might be needed. I bring music, and sometimes they like having a candle. Some also bring incense. Depends on the person!! But it's lots of fun and not as difficult.

I'm still trying to figure it out as well. But I hope this sheds light, and I wish you love and Luck!!! Blessings to all,

Rosa

From Lin Turner, AYTT winter 1998.

Hi Jose,

I love doing private lessons. I include the statement that "Private sessions and Gift Certificates are available” in my publicity. This lets people know that you are willing to do private sessions. You do need to have space available. I rent a studio by the hour. I usually limit private sessions to one hour because "one on one " can be intense. They also can be "labor intensive" requiring hours of preparation time....depending on the reasons for the private lessons. My experience with private sessions has been as varied as meeting with someone a time or two to help them set up a routine for beginning an at home practice, to meeting with people with disabilities who need help setting up a modified practice or who also wish to have the support that a "one on one" session can bring during difficult period in their lives. It also can serve as a tool to assess if someone with "body issues" will be able to "mainstream" into a regular beginning class.

One of the most fun times I had doing privates was with a mom and dad "to be". They wanted to do yoga until delivery time. They wanted the yoga classes to be in their home space so that they could use the props available to them as the pregnancy progressed. It was truly a loving time for the three of us to experience. They wound up asking me to assist in the delivery of the baby. What a joy this was!

More stories are available but....DO IT! You will learn and give so much. I encourage you to charge the going rate for your service. People will value you and pay for your expertise. I have also done trades with a wonderful massage therapist for private yoga sessions. It all works! Good luck! Have fun!

Lin Turner
email: lcturner@cal.net

From Pam Blasco YTT 1999

I have been teaching privates since I began teaching. I have been approached by students and by people who know I teach and are interested in moving towards either their own asana practice or looking more inward. I also teach meditation workshops and I have done privates incorporating asana and meditation. I find it has been very inspiring as a teacher when I do a private. I enjoy it because I can really tune into what that person wants and move in that direction. I have not marketed myself.

Joy to you,
Pam

From Bliss Wood, RYT, LMT --AYTT 1999

Dear Josie-

I'll just tell you how private lessons became a part of my "career" and perhaps that will help you with your own choices.

I have found that many students, after taking my classes, ask me if I teach private classes. Most of them feel comfortable taking their first couple of classes privately because they feel like it would help them learn the postures faster so they will feel more confident in a class setting.

I teach 1 hour private classes and incorporate much more 'hands on' instruction as well as including some hand outs for home use and I also discuss some philosophy and history to give them (especially the beginner) more of an understanding as to why people do yoga...and to help them find within themselves why they want to do yoga. There is much more discussion and Q&A than in a regular class.

As far as feeling ready.....it just kind of happened for me, like what is happening for you right now. I just opened up to the opportunity, did my own homework and then taught the private classes. My marketing has been minimal with fliers and word of mouth. I've also advertised in local Wellness magazines. My business has grown through the years but I think a better marketing plan would be optimal to help you become more successful at a faster rate. Perhaps placing your ad in a local Wellness Magazine/Paper would help. Be careful not to over-stretch your advertising budget in the beginning.

I hope this helps-

Namaste
Bliss Wood, RYT, LMT