5 Benefits of a Private Yoga Class | Body Soul Yoga Surrey
If You Are A Beginner And Getting Started
It can be really intimidating to begin yoga and join a group yoga class, especially if you are a beginner. You may be worried about what to wear, what the class will be like, how good everyone else will be, whether you will be able to do what is asked of you, and whether you will fit in with the other members of the group. I would invite and encourage every beginner to have a private yoga lesson before joining a group class, if for no other reason than to make you feel a little more at ease, relaxed and comfortable. You can meet your teacher and become familiar with the studio; and your teacher can tell you what to expect in a group setting, and address any other concerns you may have. You can also familiarise yourself with the sequences, learn to breathe and synchronise movement with the breath, learn the postures and correct alignment and so on, and essentially learn the basics before venturing out into any group lesson.
You may also feel safer in the current environment to practice alone with your teacher, rather than in a group, especially if you are vulnerable. Or you could choose to have an online class on Zoom, rather than going to a studio.
Preventing Injury and Bad Habits Forming
Good quality one-to-one yoga instruction can also provide a safe and injury-free environment in which to practice yoga. Your yoga teacher will provide guidance, corrections, personalised modifications, correct alignment, and use props and equipment so that you get the most benefit and enjoyment out of your practice. You won’t be pushed beyond your level and you won’t feel you have to go deeper or hold something longer than you should safely do so. In a group setting you may feel the need and pressure to do something before you are ready to, and just because the person next to you can. Private lessons allow you to focus on you and not your super flexible yoga neighbour on the mat next to you, which can be intimidating and demoralising. A private yoga session will give you more confidence in your own ability and will also ensure that you are doing things, “right”. A private lesson will also ensure that you don’t pick up any bad habits from the start and you will be free to discuss how the postures feel to you in a private setting.
Focus On You And Your Own Goals
You may have a notion of what yoga is about and what your goals are. Our private one-to-one yoga sessions are tailored to your specific physical, emotional and medical needs. We can discuss your goals and needs and decide on a plan for you, whatever your aspirations.
You may be aiming to get fit. Maybe you need to be pushed or guided? Or are you a little stuck in your existing practice? You may be looking to develop a home practice but don’t know where to begin? Or maybe you’d like to try Yoga Therapy to help you feel more confident, less stressed or relieve pain? Maybe you are pregnant and would like a more intimate setting to discuss your hopes and fears? Or you may need to take care of yourself, de-stress and recharge your batteries; and try a one hour yoga relaxation or yoga nidra session? Maybe you have an injury holding you back, or a particular area you are struggling with? Maybe you’d like to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, with a series of fat burning sequences and Fire Yoga to ignite your inner agni / fire.
Whatever your aims, a private yoga lesson can help you achieve them and potentially faster than a group setting, which may have a more generic aim.
If You Are Injured Or Recovering From An Injury
Yoga is one of the safest forms of physical movement and is kinder to the joints than most other forms of exercise. Therefore it is a great and safe way to get the body moving again. Yoga can also help restore better movement and function in the muscles, ligaments joints and tendons. Stretching the muscles keeps the muscles flexible, healthy and strong. We need flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without stretching the muscles shorten and become tight. Certain poses or practices may also be contra-indicated for specific injuries and should be avoided altogether. So it is really beneficial to see a private teacher to ensure you are safe and to strengthen and focus on areas that need attention. If you were in group setting you may feel singled out if the teacher is constantly reminding you not to do certain things and to modify certain postures.
An experienced teacher will advise, in a private yoga class, what to avoid in a yoga class, and what beneficial alternative poses to do instead. You can also practice what you have learnt at home to speed up your recovery. Some yoga postures and restorative poses and yoga relaxation can also help you recover more quickly too. So whether you suffer with a injury or illness, or are recovering from surgery, then you may benefit from a tailored yoga class just for your needs.
If You Are Stuck In Your Yoga Practice
If you have been doing yoga for a while you may find that certain postures just aren’t happening for you, or maybe some pranayama breathing techniques aren’t working for you. Or maybe you are finding it hard to get on your mat everyday and develop a home practice? Whatever reason you are stuck, or even if you are lacking in inspiration, hopefully a private yoga session can inspire you or take you to a new level with just a few tweaks and suggestions.
A private yoga lesson can be a wonderful and safe space to explore new ways in which you can continue to grow and improve your yoga practice.
Please get in touch if you would like to try a private yoga session here with us, at Body Soul Yoga, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey or online. We look forward to seeing you soon.
