1:1 yoga is booming, and for good reason. After the pandemic, people are still not ready to join groups in confined spaces, or their schedules have changed and don't align with studio schedules anymore. And many are simply after a more personalised experience.
Why should you try a private yoga class? What is a 1:1 yoga class like? What are your options for taking a 1:1 class? And why are 1:1 classes so expensive? What is a private yoga membership? How can you find a 1:1 class?
Find out all the answers in my "Everything You Need To Know About 1:1 Yoga" Guide!
Only for the wealthy?
If you believe that personal yoga classes are only for the wealthy, celebrities, or fitness fanatics, let's try and reframe, because it is time to re-think this belief.
Our current private members have a variety of backgrounds. We have private members join us 4 times a week, some once a week, some are part of a 2-3 semi-private group.
What kind of people take 1:1 classes?
People like you and me. Any gender, any level of fitness, and across all ages. What our private clients have in common is an incredibly busy life. Our studio schedule does not work for them as their schedule is different every week.
1:1 clients look for yoga classes fine-tuned to their needs: Some of our clients are after a more physical practise that is mixed up with Pilates, core and strength work. Some have highly pressured jobs, they crave the hours they get in the studio to move gently, then restore in a sensitive yoga therapy session. One has experienced recent trauma and needs grief and trauma informed guidance, care and gently healing yoga to get back on their feet. We have a couple of private pregnant mummies that are fitting the sessions into their busy work schedules. And some come as a small group of friends to move, and meditate.
All have different reasons for choosing 1:1 sessions over group class ones.
What is a 1:1 class like?
A 1:1 yoga class can be designed any way you wish. To start we will ask for a focus area: do you want to de-stress, heal, work on a specific physical problem (weak wrists, stiff hips, an injury or surgery recovery, have an active recovery day, etc), or mental need (de-stress, lift brain fog etc.). For your class you come to the studio, equipped with all the props you can hope for. Your teacher prepares your space and you spend a few minutes chatting, grounding, practicing with intensive 1:1 attention, hands-on adjustments, improving, slowing down, restoring, then resting in savasana, sometimes guided or with adjustments. After another chat, and maybe a cleansing tea, you leave refreshed, relaxed, or energised.
In our private classes, you only push yourself instead of comparing yourself to others around you. If you know you are competitive, a 1:1 may be nice so you can switch off and leave the performance driven need to be "as good or better" behind. This is much better for preventing injury.
Your teacher works with you and your unique body to help you stretch your limits because their eyes will be on you alone.
What are your options for taking a 1:1 class?
You can book a one off, a series or a membership. We offer 1:1s or semi-private classes of 2 or 3 students.
1:1 classes are expensive, but incredible value for money!
At Unwind, a small group of teachers lead our private classes. They provide highly customised classes, depending on the student's needs that week. Class planning and prepping is intense, and on point.
All our private teachers are senior teachers with thousands of hours of training, and thousands of hours of teaching - they know their sh**.
As yoga teachers we study the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Some of us have trauma informed training, some are pre-natal teachers, some have psychology and mental health training. We learn the ancient history and philosophies of Indian yoga tradition, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) concepts of the Yin lineage. We study how breath, meditation and movement transform body and mind, and open the soul to a spiritual path for those looking for one. We study and train for a long time, before we step in front of students, and we train several times a year through continued education to stay up-to-date.
Private clients tell me that a 1:1 yoga class is like therapy, personal training and a spa visit rolled into one.
When you look at it that way, 1:1 yoga is actually not expensive at all! Would you think twice about spending upwards of £100/hour for a spa visit? A 1:1 yoga class is nowhere near that expensive.
What is a private yoga membership?
.A private yoga membership is like a studio membership, but you get your dedicated teacher or teachers on pre-scheduled days of the week for your 1:1 classes. Our private members get VIP treatment. We try and accommodate our VIPs wherever we can, we understand schedules change at very short notice, and when it happens, we work with you to find alternative slots, often within an hour of you calling us.
As an example, we have clients on 16 classes/month memberships. For one of them, two of our senior teachers teach their classes across 4 days of the week. The teachers teach very different styles, so over the week, this client gets a yoga programme that is second to none. In another example, the 16 classes are taught as double classes across 2 days, this client travels a lot and we sometimes offer their classes on Zoom, or at odd times.
Some of our private members take weekly classes with a focus on all areas of the body across the week. Some prefer a 4- or 6-week focus on one area, so we would design a 4-week de-stress programme, the next 4-week block focuses on easing hip tension and so on.
A private membership is flexible and huge value for money - plus, you can put your private membership on hold for up to 4 weeks in a 12 month contract, so when you are off the grid, your payments stop and re-start when you are back.
How can you find a 1:1 class?
I have created a unique private membership option at Unwind. So many students tell me that the membership keeps them "in line", they are deeply committed to their practice.
Maybe you only want one, or two private classes to re-set a bad habit, get more confidence as a total beginner, take a time-out or need space to relax. You don't need a membership to get a 1:1 yoga class. I don't have a massage membership either, and book one when I feel I need to relax (but now that I think about a massage membership, I LOVE the idea...that would definitely make me go more regularly!).
The advantage of a 1:1 class through our yoga studio is that we can match you with a teacher that teaches the style of yoga you need right now, and we can change the teacher when your needs change.
What are some common reasons for people going private?
Growth - Wherever your practice is now, be it non-existent or advanced, your teacher will work with wherever you are to help push you to greater heights.
Accountability - When someone else knows your goals, they will hold you accountable for achieving them. Someone is here asking you the questions you need to answer and setting boundaries and goals for you, so you are more motivated to reach them.
Flexible Schedule - Decide what works best for you, whether you’re a busy mum or you only have time for a class before breakfast, during your lunch break, or after work. Get the teacher that best suits your needs and wants right now.
Specific Concerns - If you have physical injuries or health concerns you want to address, yoga is the perfect place to start. A personal teacher will help you identify what poses are best for you, so you can begin to heal or work with your condition. Having a personal teacher is also helpful if you don't want to share your personal health with a teacher in a group class, either because it feels too personal or because there is not enough time beforehand when taking a public class. Having one teacher who knows your story can address the entire yoga session to your needs.
Privacy - Sometimes it’s nice to know that no one is watching you, so you can relax fully into each pose. Having a private yoga teacher is ideal for the utmost privacy, having the class set in a yoga studio means that any distractions you would have at home are eliminated.
How to find the best 1:1 yoga teacher for you?
Ask me! I will have a chat with you to identify exactly what it is you need and match you with a teacher, or a team of teachers, that can meet those needs. You can always email me at info@unwindyogastudio.com, or head over to https://www.unwindyogastudio.com/private-yoga-maidenhead and fill in the form, I will get in touch as soon as I can.
Sandra x