What do you teach a private student?

[DouglasRThompson]

Okay, I know this is a generic question.

I have taught yoga for 11 years, always in a classroom setting. On top of my full-time "day" job, I teach 10 yoga classes per week. Being 60 years old, I'm looking to cut down some on my day job, maybe to half-time, and see if I can find a market for private students, which would (apparently) bring in more income than a classroom setting.

I have looked for books on what to teach in a private setting, but either I'm not looking in the right place, or they don't exist. Google seems to bring back people that are teaching private lessons, but no "how to" information. Searches on Amazon.com are likewise not bringing back what I'm looking for.

Perhaps some of you that are teaching privately can share some insight, not only to me, but to others in this forum.

Do you usually teach 1-hour lessons, or 1-1/2-hour lessons? Do your clients usually come to you once a month, or what? Would you be creating a daily sequence for your client to follow for the month, or would you just be working on specific poses? In a normal yoga class, you lead your students through a sequence of poses. I'm guessing a private student wants more than this. In a nutshell, what does your private student walk away from your private lesson with? A written plan?

Thanks in advance for your good suggestions.

Be @ Peace,
Douglas

[Administrator]

Please forgive me but Sara is in India so I'll jump in.

Remember that I am not a yoga teacher (yet) nor do I play one on TV.

Actually, I do play one on YouTube but that's another story.

OK, from what I glean from Sara, she generally does one hour sessions.

Only in cases of a die-hard nut-case like myself does she do 90 minute sessions.

Each client is unique and so they literally build their own sessions.

Some clients see her once a week. Others several times a week.

Sara did a going away video for her clients. But she told me it wasn't for me.

Why?

Because I do fat-burning power yoga.

You know the type: downward dog, hold your right foot up in the air until next Thursday...

Most of her clients do gentle yoga with her.

So in terms of structuring your sessions, everything starts with you clients.

Does that make sense?

Harlan

[Administrator]

Part of your success as a yoga teacher is going
to be connected to your ability to read what your clients
need and deliver on those needs.

Peace.

Harlan

[yvonneyoga]

Originally Posted by DouglasRThompson

Okay, I know this is a generic question.

I have taught yoga for 11 years, always in a classroom setting. On top of my full-time "day" job, I teach 10 yoga classes per week. Being 60 years old, I'm looking to cut down some on my day job, maybe to half-time, and see if I can find a market for private students, which would (apparently) bring in more income than a classroom setting.

I have looked for books on what to teach in a private setting, but either I'm not looking in the right place, or they don't exist. Google seems to bring back people that are teaching private lessons, but no "how to" information. Searches on Amazon.com are likewise not bringing back what I'm looking for.

Perhaps some of you that are teaching privately can share some insight, not only to me, but to others in this forum.

Do you usually teach 1-hour lessons, or 1-1/2-hour lessons? Do your clients usually come to you once a month, or what? Would you be creating a daily sequence for your client to follow for the month, or would you just be working on specific poses? In a normal yoga class, you lead your students through a sequence of poses. I'm guessing a private student wants more than this. In a nutshell, what does your private student walk away from your private lesson with? A written plan?

Thanks in advance for your good suggestions.

Be @ Peace,
Douglas

This post was a while ago so wanted to make sure you were still looking for input before I wrote something.

[Administrator]

We are always looking for input!

Peace

[Childofgod007]

Hi

I am really interested to read people's thoughts on this query. I have only just started doing privates myself and also found myself looking for information. In the end I have worked out a way that seems OK for me and I have been overwhelmed by how satisfying teaching 1 2 1 can be.

What I have found is that the real skill lies in finding a way to make the connection with the student - I've watched students open up emotionally and spiritually as well as physically and I feel really privilidged to be part of that process.

On a more technical level, I have been keeping my classes at 1.5 hours, though i think perhaps 60 mins might work in the end. I prepare a programme that I hope we'll work through, and have it ready to give to them at the end to practice at home with (if they choose to - it's their choice after all - though I do encourage them ...). I often find that we don't get very far through the programme that I have planned as we work more deeply in the poses, or modify according to the feel of the session - I will then suggest to them what they should/shouldn't try to do on their own. The sessions are much more "hands on" than my general classes - and we are able to really adapt postures to suit the individual - this is one of the huge benefits - and - as it is still early days in this aspect of teaching for me - one of the challenges!

I always include some kind of pranayama and a deep relaxation. Some students want to develop this aspect more than the asanas and vice versa. I try to be accomodating - but in the end have learnt that my teaching is most effective when I am being true to my understanding of yoga.

I don't know if the above is of any use at all. I think I'm most interested in other people's responses so that I can develop my own skills in this area. I find that it is a hugely satisfying way of working.

[dakiniyoga]

What you teach in a private session really depends on the client's needs and wants. I always check in with my clients before we start our sessions together so I can find out how their body is feeling, their energy level and what might be going on in their life to affect their mental/emotional state. I can then very the lesson accordingly. I also tend to be more hands on during a one-on-one sessions so I can assist the client deeper into poses. I finish with relaxation/deep breathing and a little Thai masage (they LOVE this). Typically one hour is plenty.

Good luck to you, Douglas!

Namaste

[Sara]

Hi everyone,

I teach one hour sessions for the majority of my clients. I have one that does 1.5 hours. I am rarely monitered by the time.

Sometimes I have to be more cautious if I have people close together but If I need to go over 10 or 15 min. then I do.

I find that one hour is plenty of time as well and I can teach them a lot.

In my opinion I think it is always a good idea to check in with you clients on how their body is feeling and allow them to suggest something they specifically want from the session.

For example I have one client that loves starting with relaxation. If I don't he immediately requests it. He gets stressed due to his job and wants to calm his mind. I find the relaxation and meditation in the beginning help him to be more centered.

I tend to change every session for all my clients and they seem to like this variety. In the beginning of the session I intuitively and focus on parts of their body that are energetically blocked.

Some days I may repeat similar poses or sequences that we did that same week.

I find that like life every day brings changes and different tightness or stiffness in our bodies.

However I also know that repeating or having a set class for a while can be very beneficial as well.

What I do works for my clients, so I continue. For some of my clients I give them a small sequence to do on their own. When they come to me and are ready for new poses we build on this.

Don't be afraid to be creative and go beyond your own boundaries and test things out. I also do many hands on adjusting with all my clients and Thai yoga massage. They love this. It is their treat for employing me.
warm regards,

Sara

[YogaMom]

Hi there,
I have a question regarding private classes:

I am planning on moving to another state - While searching for a house, I want to make sure I buy a place with enough room to have an in-home yoga studio (extra bedrroom or den) so I can teach private lessons from home - How do others on this forum handle the privates in their own home, space-wise. Do I need a special business license or some other type of permit.

ALSO - How big should the space be if I were to hold classes for 5 or 6 people at a time - I am considering building a backyard studio, eventually, if I can find the perfect place


Thanks.
LOVE this forum and all the valuable yet free info! Karma info?

[DouglasRThompson]

I have not been on this forum for a while, and was pleasently surprised to see a multitude of responses.

Thank you all.

Since I also do Thai Yoga Massage, I'm seeing the possibilities of incorporating it into a private lesson to assess a student's flexibility, or to warm up an area of the body we are going to work on. Or, as one of you suggested, as a "treat". You have all given me the encouragement I needed!

Be @ Peace,
Douglas