Yoga, with its profound benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, has become an integral part of many people's lives. Even people who aren’t big into yoga likely have some experience with the practice because references to it run deep in India’s cultural history.
If you’ve been doing yoga for a while but want to deepen your practice, or if you’re a beginner unsure of where to begin, it can be a great idea to look for a private yoga teacher for at-home lessons!
Joining group yoga classes is also a great way to learn yoga with the help of a professional yoga trainer, but private classes give you to a much more individualized approach with personal attention. This article will help you find out what kind of private yoga class you might like as well as where to find your perfect personal yoga trainer!
When Do You Need a Private Yoga Instructor?
There are many reasons why someone might want to hire a private yoga teacher. Take time to think about your relationship with yoga so you can decide if getting a personal yoga coach is a good fit for your needs!
Beginning a Yoga Practice
If you’re new at yoga and feel lost, like you need a personal guide to help get you heading in the right direction, then hiring a yoga coach might be just what you need. Yoga is a multifaceted subject, more than just the asana and pranayama practice most people are familiar with. If you want to learn more about the 8 Limbs of Yoga, its history, and its philosophy, working with a teacher is a good way to learn what you need to know as a beginner yogi without getting overwhelmed with information.
Expanding Your Yoga Practice
Likewise, even if you’re an experienced yogi, it can be great to have a more experienced teacher help you learn more about yoga. Whether it’s the philosophy and history, the anatomy and spiritual aspects, or broadening your asana practice, a private yoga coach can help you reach your goals.
Being a Yogi with Disabilities, Injuries, or Other Differences
Unfortunately, a lot of yoga classes are targeted only at able-bodied people who fit into the mould of thin, fit, and without physical and mental differences. The truth is that not every person can be adequately attended to in a typical group yoga setting unless the teacher is already experienced with teaching people with these characteristics.
Many private yoga instructors care deeply about being a good teacher to more than just the “average” person. They may attend education courses and get certifications that teach them how to teach people with physical and mental differences, making yoga accessible for more people. If you always feel uncomfortable, out of place, or neglected at typical yoga classes, getting a private yoga teacher who knows how to teach to you specifically, and can work with you over time to adapt their teachings to meet your needs is a game changer.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Yoga Teacher
Here are some great questions to ask when getting to know your prospective yoga teacher!
- How long have you been practicing yoga, and why did you begin?
- What yoga studios or teachers have you learned with extensively?
- Where did you study to be a yoga teacher?
- Do you have any certifications?
- What’s your favorite aspect of yoga?
- How do you feel yoga has transformed your life?
- What inspires you to learn more about yoga?
- What do you hope your students achieve when they take classes with you?
What to Look for In a Yoga Teacher
When selecting someone to become your yoga trainer at home, it’s important you know what to look for.
A Genuine Interest in Teaching
While the vast majority of yoga teachers are genuine people who actually want to help spread the practice of yoga in a way that is aligned with the teachings of yoga, there are always people out there who just want to make money.
So, you need to be sure that you choose someone who actually knows about yoga and how to teach it, and who actually cares about their students.
Knowledge of Yoga
Your ideal yoga teacher will have lots of experience with practicing yoga on their own as well as have received instruction on how to be a good teacher. Not every yoga teacher attends yoga teacher training, and that’s okay! Sometimes, certain people are simply good at being a yoga teacher without taking a teaching course.
But, it always helps if your prospective yoga teacher can show that they have attended and completed a reputable yoga teacher training course.
The study of asana is not about mastering posture. It’s about using posture to understand and transform yourself.
BKS Iyengar
Living in Alignment with Yoga
While showing up to yoga class and practicing the tenets of yoga in the studio is an admirable feat, it doesn’t mean very much if the second the teacher leaves the class they live a life void of yogic values.
You don’t want a teacher with a double life; someone who preaches and teaches about the yogic principles like ahimsa (non-harming) during class, but who then goes out later and hurts people’s feelings with harsh words, for example. A good yoga teacher truly believes in what they teach and lives in accord with yoga in their daily life.
A good yoga teacher will also have a personal yoga asana and pranayama practice that they maintain to strengthen their personal relationship with yoga.
Compatible Personality and Teaching Style
Not every yoga teacher is a good fit for every student, and vice versa. Each person interacts differently with one another; you need to have good chemistry with your yoga teacher, especially for private lessons!
Your ideal yoga teacher will have a personality that meshes well with yours and a teaching style that inspires you and makes you feel empowered while learning more about yoga. Some students want a gentle teacher, others might want a more rigid instructor like the traditional Ashtanga teachers.
They will guide you in your yoga journey with safety and wisdom. Yoga teachers may also push you out of your comfort zone, but they should only do so in a way that feels like it’s expanding your practice, not in a way that makes you feel unsafe or violated. A good yoga teacher will also listen to you if you tell them that something isn’t working for you.
As a teacher and student, you need to be able to have open dialogues together so you can understand one another. Even disagreements or misunderstandings can reach a peaceful resolution that leaves you feeling heard and respected.
Discover the best yoga courses today on Superprof!
What Are the Best Yoga Teacher Certifications?
What yoga teaching certifications should you look for when selecting a yoga teacher? As mentioned before, not every teacher will have a certification, and that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t a good or qualified teacher.
Especially older teachers, they may have decades of yoga practice and teaching experience from a time before yoga teacher certification was a widespread idea. Yoga teacher certifications are a rather new concept.
Likewise, not every teacher with a certification is a good teacher. All a certification shows is that they have dedicated time and energy to a yoga training course. We will cover how to vet your potential private yoga teachers in the next section.
Here are the different, most-recognized certifications a yoga teacher near me might have.
Yoga Alliance & Yoga Alliance International RYT 200/500:
- RYT 200: This is a foundational certification that requires 200 hours of training. It covers basic asanas, pranayama, anatomy, and teaching methodologies.
- RYT 500: This advanced certification requires an additional 300 hours of training beyond the RYT 200. It delves deeper into advanced asanas, philosophy, and therapeutic applications.
- Yoga Alliance was founded in 1999. It’s an organization based in the US and is an attempt to regulate standards for yoga teachers, yoga studios, and yoga training teachers (especially in the West). Teachers and studios can register with YA to show students that they meet specific criteria to be trustworthy.
- Registration with Yoga Alliance is elective, and registrants need to complete additional education and renew their registration regularly.
- Yoga Alliance accreditation is internationally recognized.
Ministry of AYUSH Certification:
- The Indian government’s Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) offers certifications through the Yoga Certification Board (YCB).
- For individuals, these certifications are available at various levels, including Yoga Teacher & Evaluator, Yoga Wellness Instructor, Yoga Teacher, and Yoga instructor.
- Studios can also be accredited as Leading Yoga Institutions, Yoga Institutions, and Yoga Training Centers.
When looking for a yoga class near me, it’s helpful to know what kind of certification the studio and/or teacher holds.
How to Find a Good Yoga Teacher for Private Lessons
Now that you know what to look for in your yoga instructor, how do you evaluate them?
It’s smart to always have a discovery call with your prospective yoga teacher, either on the phone or in-person. A discovery call is like an interview where you can get a feel for each other’s personality and see if you match.
You can also ask them about their experience, personal yoga practice, certifications and specialities, pedagogy and teaching style, and more! Before committing to taking classes with this person, you want to be sure that you feel comfortable with them and that they will help you grow your confidence.
The teacher might ask you about your own experience, your goals, your learning style, and other things to see if they are a good fit for the role as your personal teacher. Remember, a good yoga teacher wants to help you, so if they aren’t a good fit (and they can tell), then they might turn you down so you can find a different teacher who better suits your needs!
Questions to Ask Your Potential Yoga Teacher
Here are some great questions to ask when getting to know your prospective yoga teacher!
- How long have you been practicing yoga, and why did you begin?
- What yoga studios or teachers have you learned with extensively?
- Where did you study to be a yoga teacher?
- Do you have any certifications?
- What’s your favorite aspect of yoga?
- How do you feel yoga has transformed your life?
- What inspires you to learn more about yoga?
- What do you hope your students achieve when they take classes with you?
Where to Look for a Private Yoga Teacher
Now all that’s left is to find your perfect yoga teacher! Here are some ways you can begin your search.
Yoga Studios and Ashrams:
Many certified instructors offer private lessons. Visiting local yoga studios and ashrams can help you connect with teachers who provide personalized instruction.
You can also explore yoga classes Bangalore to find skilled instructors offering private sessions near you.
Word of Mouth:
Recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who practice yoga can be invaluable. Personal referrals often lead to trustworthy and reputable instructors.
Online Platforms:
Websites like Yoga Alliance, Sivananda, and the Bihar School of Yoga list certified teachers. These platforms often provide contact details and background information.
Social Media and Forums:
Many yoga instructors maintain active social media profiles where they share their teaching schedules, philosophies, and contact information. Online forums and yoga communities can also be useful resources.
Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.
Terri Guillemets (aka Ymber Delecto)
Using Superprof to Find a Good Yoga Teacher
Superprof.com is a platform that connects students with private tutors, including yoga instructors. Here’s how to find a good yoga teacher on Superprof:
- Visit the Superprof Website:
- Go to Superprof India and enter "yoga" in the search bar along with your location. You can specify if you prefer online or in-person lessons.
- Browse Teacher Profiles:
- Review the profiles of available yoga teachers. Each profile includes the instructor’s qualifications, experience, teaching style, and hourly rates. Look for teachers with certifications like RYT 200/500, AYUSH certification, or those from reputed schools like Bihar School of Yoga or Sivananda.
- Read Reviews and Ratings:
- Superprof allows students to leave reviews and ratings for teachers. Reading these can provide insight into the teacher’s effectiveness, reliability, and teaching style.
- Contact Potential Instructors:
- Once you’ve shortlisted a few candidates, reach out to them to discuss your goals, availability, and any specific requirements you may have. Most instructors offer a first lesson for free or at a reduced rate, which can help you gauge their teaching style and compatibility.
- Schedule a Trial Class:
- Take a trial class to see if the teacher’s style and approach meet your needs. Pay attention to how they communicate, their ability to adapt to your level, and their overall demeanor.
- Finalize Your Choice:
- After the trial class, decide if the teacher is the right fit for you. If satisfied, you can schedule regular sessions and begin your personalized yoga journey.
Finding a yoga coach on Superprof is great because it’s fast, simple, and allows you to find a teacher for in-person or online yoga classes! In-person yoga coaching is great because you can receive hands-on help and share energy with that person in a physical space. Online lessons are advantageous for people with busy schedules or who live in a place with limited options for yoga instructors.
Get started with private yoga lessons on Superprof today!
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