The format in which yoga classes are being taught has changed many times over the years. In the beginning, it was what’s called “oral tradition” only, meaning that the teachings were passed on from a teacher’s words and students. There was no PDFs and textbooks or videos. In order to study yoga, students had to give up quite a bit. Renunciation was part of prerequisite to studying yoga. You couldn’t just try out a class and leave. You had to commit to it before you could even begin. It was, in a true sense, a personal choice. Teachings were also private and personal. Each person practiced a little differently but always following the master’s instructions.
An ancient Indian medicine practice, Āyurveda, tells us that though we are made up of the same qualities, we all have slightly different constitutions. It’s a lot like we are all curries but the amount of each spice is slightly different, thus making different curries.
Once we understand that, it’s easier to see why we may need a different set of yogic movements, breathing techniques and meditation, not to mention we are going through different stages and/or different environments in life. In private classes, there is a lot more attention on your desires and needs. Maybe you are dealing with hyperactivity, while others may be dealing with anxiety. Maybe you want to learn how to do a handstand, rather than focusing on meditation and breathing. Your nervous system, personalities and preferences all have individual uniqueness and a good teacher know how to teach a bit of what you WANT and a lot of what you NEED. A great teacher understands the basis of Āyurvedic teachings, which is “what you want may not be what you need” to feel balanced, grounded and stable.
I always say that we are all born under the stars but under different patterns of the same stars, each and everyone of us. Even twins have slightly different patterns. This means that we are destined to be similar AND different at the same time.
While group classes possess their own charm, private lessons offer an unparalleled personalised experience.
Here’s why:
- Curiosity: Most, if not all, yoga practitioners have wondered about the experience of a private session at least once.
- Comfort in Solitude: In a one-on-one setting, you liberate yourself from the unconscious need to compete or compare. You’re free to focus solely on your own practice.
- Undivided Attention: The teacher can entirely focus on your practice, fostering an environment where yoga benefits are maximised without any distractions.
- Development of Home Practice: The whole idea is to develop your home practice. This means any support you need to cultivate that is offered. It all depends on the teacher but for example, I check in with my students if they go longer than 3 weeks to make sure that the practice is still relevant to what the student is going through.
Most people are a little timid about going to a private yoga lesson, to be in such a close proximity and alone with a yoga teacher. You become totally visible, like there’s nowhere to hide. But this is where you can really start to experience the depth of yogic teachings.
So next time, you notice yourself shying away from private lessons, ask yourself if it is worth working up a courage to be intimate WITH YOURSELF while your teacher guides you through that special experience and develop a true spiritual practice that creates a lifelong change.