Private yoga instruction works very well for men who are coming a little late to the game of taking charge of their physical and mental/emotional well being. As my male clients can often attest, there are very few group yoga classes out there that address the specific needs of men in their age range (45-55). A man in this group makes a concerted effort to find such a class, and nine times out of ten finds himself standing alone in a room of 20 women in their 20’s and 30’s. The instructor’s goals for this group are not going to meet the man on his level; they are not going to address what he needs addressed. They will frustrate, disappoint, intimidate and overwhelm him.*

My primary private client is in his mid-forties, and works a 60-70 hour, very high-stress workweek. Like many folks on the less-active side of the fitness scale, he is chronically tight in the shoulders, back, and hips, and in addition suffers from chronic tightness and stiffness in the feet and ankles. He allows time for recreational sport about once a week at the most, and walks the dog, but his job demands a seated, chair at desk posture, watching a computer screen and clicking a mouse for many hours at a time. The pressure this posture puts on the respiratory and skeletal-muscular systems has far-reaching effects on his overall health and happiness.

Over the past several months, he has stopped his workday one day a week to practice yoga for 75 minutes. We spend a good portion of our time initially slowing and deepening his breath, often with him lying on his back with support under the spine to open the chest, with long holds in postures that open and stretch the muscles in the back, hips and shoulders. We balance this with poses to strengthen muscles in the upper back and legs that will support increased flexibility as it continues to come. When we first began to work together, he complained of pain in the lower back/tailbone that made it hard to do what he has to do all day: sit. Now he is pain-free. I see an ease and openness in his posture now that tells us his yoga is working for him.

There is a genuinely safe, individually appropriate space for men to begin addressing the effects of un-ending stress on their bodies and minds. Private yoga instruction offers a personalized approach, ideally worked into his work schedule in his own home, that helps him begin to take an active role in reversing the habits of health-compromising posture and breathing.

* A “Beginner Series” of yoga classes at a reputable yoga studio (rather than a fitness center or gym) is often the next best place for new students of any age, fitness level or body type. The Iyengar studios and classes in my opinion, offer the safest, best-trained instructors for the beginning student.

I continued my class with my private school teachers over the summer as well, which brought a level of continuity and deepening of their commitment to their practice. We continue on through the new school term with a weekly class that meets in the school’s new dance studio. The school is offering yoga classes for students this year too and the demand is high!

If you’d like more information about forming a group class of your own (either one-off or ongoing) send me an email! I especially love working with new students and those looking to transition from Beginner to Intermediate and Advanced work. A one-off class for a special occasion can be fast-paced or slow and restorative. There are as many options for classes as there are interested students!

Pranam~

Shannon

Mr. Iyengar says you need only a space that is clean, free of clutter and dust. Obviously, you want some kind of barrier between yourself and such distractions as telephones, televisions, pets and other people if at all possible. From there, personal enhancements to your space, such as a small table or shelf for a candle or incense burner, and a place to keep a reference book or two, a journal perhaps are about all you need to support your daily practice.

As an instructor, I wanted this small space in our house to support not only my personal practice but private, individual lessons when the opportunity arose. For now, this space serves as the yoga room, and a spare sleepover space for guests if necessary, with a futon and lots of reading materials.

If you have photos of your personal yoga or meditation space, please share! Here are some photos of the finished room:

But have you thought of starting your yoga practice with a private lesson? A private, first-time consultation with a certified yoga instructor provides several benefits you can take into public classes, or continue in a one-on-one environment.

Medical or physiological issues (including injuries, recent surgeries, back & joint pain) should always be addressed with beginning students, even in public classes. A private session gives you the added bonus of being able to address more personal issues such as body image and weight concerns in a completely non-judgemental, private setting.

A few private yoga lessons can also prepare you for faster-paced all-levels public classes where often there isn’t time to slow the pace of the class for beginning students. I’ve heard countless stories of yoga classes where the beginning student felt he’d been whipped through a flow series with no understanding of what his body was supposed to be doing! Take a few one-on-one sessions with an instructor who will break down every pose and work with you on proper alignment, breathwork and who will help develop your understanding of your own yogic anatomy.

Visit my Private Yoga Lessons page for more information.

This class is my favorite in winter, when we start just as the sun is starting to dip, and end the class almost in darkness.

Private Yoga Classes are an excellent (and fun!) way to begin a yoga practice in a more intimate environment, surrounded by a few like-minded friends, colleagues or family members.

They’re also a smart way to get private yoga lesson attention from your instructor, as a single private lesson fee can be split among 4, 5 or 6 students.

Private classes can be held at the location of your choice, for convenience and comfort.