Private 1:1 Yoga Sessions vs Practicing in a Group

Before the pandemic, I was biking all over San Francisco, where I live, teaching studio classes and also going into people’s home to teach private sessions. (A few years before that, I was driving all over the Bay Area to do the same work!) Luckily, technology has made it possible for me to do almost everything that I used to do in-person over Zoom. It’s been wonderful to see so many of you continue or even begin your practice in these dark times, when self-care is, perhaps, more important than ever. 

While I love the energetic flow and communal feeling of in-person group classes, there’s something even more powerful about practicing alone, at home.

I’ve found a lot of joy and solace in both taking drop-in zoom classes with my favorite teachers and in pursuing my own lines of inquiry on my mat. While I appreciate the accountability of practicing with a webcam, I was surprised at how liberating it feels to leave the camera off, to talk back to the teacher (god bless the mute button!), and to be accountable to no one but myself.

Having said that, we can all use a bit of guidance from time to time. If you’re interested in creating a personalized daily routine, or wanting help with a specific pose like crow, or if you just want a bit more privacy in cultivating your yoga practice, you might consider 1:1 sessions with a trusted teacher. Although I always recommend that beginning students start with group classes, the more focused nature of private, 1:1 instruction leads to breakthroughs that often go beyond what’s possible in a group setting.

You can book a private session with me here: https://mariaschulmanyoga.as.me/

If you’re interested, I recommend committing to a set of at least 3 sessions, spaced out over several weeks, but what you do beyond that is up to you. Some students will work for me for a few weeks, just to work out a few “kinks” in their practice before going back to group classes, and others will book 2-3 private sessions a week with me for years, because they prefer the customization, convenience, and privacy.