Heavy stuff. This was the truth, and made my reality seem very harsh, sad and desolate. Rebecca and I were 18 months apart and just becoming best friends again after years of drifting apart.
I had just joined the local yoga studio as a student unlimited member. At this time, I simply turned to my mat. I had been going to classes almost everyday before this happened, and went back, looking for some solace. Instead, I found my muscles spasming in a gentle class; it was too much-- I needed to stop my practice and slow down my life.
I ended up withdrawing from classes for the semester but didn't know what to do next. I was shocked by the fact that my yoga classes were too much for me, so I sought out one of my teachers for a private yoga session. It was JUST WHAT I NEEDED!
Why Private Yoga? I admit I was a bit intimidated to spend time with a teacher one to one. My perfectionist self said, "What if she tells me I'm doing it ALL WRONG?" However, the teacher I chose to learn from one to one was a very gentle and nurturing soul! Instead of having me do intense asana, she gave me a gentle restorative practice. In our session, she admitted that she lost a best friend who was like a sister suddenly too! She said she discovered something called Restorative Yoga and it helped her through the grief tremendously. I'd never done restorative at the time, but my teacher gave me a gentle flow plus one or two restorative poses to try daily and said, "See how it goes. You need to take it easy and be gentle with yourself right now."
I stuck with my private yoga session routine for many months and stopped going to regular classes, as my instincts told me that solo practice was the way to go! The private yoga session made me feel so cared for and much more confidant in my practice. I understood the yogic breath now and felt really comfortable with my ability to put myself into poses.
It was then that I developed a burning desire to learn more and more yoga (but we'll save that for another blog entry!).
Benefits of a Private Yoga Session
So, why private yoga? Why spend about $75 on a solo session with a teacher when you can spend about $15 on a group yoga class?
1) To boost confidance: When we feel we are doing something "wrong", there is a chance we are not getting the full benefits out of the post, because mentally we are holding ourselves back. When a teacher tells you (rather than manually corrects your pose walking by you in class) what you're doing that may be incorrect form and helps you make sure you can understand the root of your incorrectness, then you LEARN, and in turn become WAY MORE CONFIDANT on the mat -- which of course us yoga teachers swear translates off the mat as well!
2)To build a home practice: Many people go to their local yoga studio to practice, then get on with their lives when they leave the studio, perhaps even leaving their mat at the studio or in their car. For these folks, the practice is in the class only and that mat has never seen the comfort of their own home! It is a GREAT thing to be able to take your practice home with you integrates your yoga more deeply into your everyday life, so that you can pull out your mat and practice upon awakening or before bed (two of my favorite times) or treat is as a tool for stress relief and practice as needed! It also allows you to hone in on poses that work for you, instead of just doing the asanas your studio teacher tell you to do! Variety is the spice of life and your body is always changing-- so why not work with it and give it what it needs at any given time!
3)To get a personalized class: If you have the money and the time, why not skip the group class and get your own personalized class with a teacher one to one! I love personalizing classes. In small groups it's possible to get a bit more personal with students, but even easier one on one! You come in with back and hamstring stiffness, so we do a class to stretch and lengthen the hamstring, tone and stretch the back and core, your body will expand in ways that it may not have in a group class where the focus may have been more generalized. And the plus, you learned some asanas to take home with you and use regularly if these areas continue to be tight or hold chronic tension.
4)You get take home notes! In all my private sessions (can't speak for all teachers here, but my 1st private teacher gave me take home routine, complete with stick figure drawings!) I give my students notes of the poses we did written on carbon copy paper so I have a copy for their file as well. I do my best to give happy stick figure yogis in poses with detailed descriptions of what we talked about.
5) Therapy for Injuries or chronic conditions: There is a whole branch of yoga teachers now doing "Yoga Therapy", which is basically physical therapy in the yogic form! I've used clients' physical therapy routine as a foundation for an asana practice that will help the specific areas in need. Clients who come in from physical therapy often say the asanas feel similar to what they were told to do daily by the P.T. I have found that "yoga therapy" is a great way to embrace new and healthy ways to practice the right asanas for recovery daily and the poses weave well before or after your physical therapy routine.
I remember taping my teacher's routine up on my wall and looking at it as I practiced everyday! I have received wide eyed thanks from students when I present them with their session notes. It's the simple pleasures that make life so magical!:-)
So, if you haven't tried a private yoga session yet because you were scared or intimidated, perhaps this blog has made you re-consider! For advanced and novice yogis alike, a personalized yoga class is a wonderful treat and can be life-saving on the mat and off!
Namaste!
Sarah Lamb, CYT, offers private yoga, reiki and reflexology sessions to her clients in Rochester, NY! Checkout this link for more info or to book today! www.innerbloomyoga.com/yoga.html
