Perhaps you used to have a solid yoga practice, but life got in the way and, over the years, you haven’t been able to find your way back to it. You keep trying, but despite your best efforts, it simply isn’t sticking.
Or maybe you’ve recently started yoga and have discovered that you want to explore more deeply than a general group class allows.
Or perhaps you’ve been practising for years, and something you once loved no longer seems to fit. Your body has changed, your circumstances have changed, or maybe, as your understanding of yoga has deepened, you’re searching for a different way forward.
I start every student in the same way, regardless of their experience or the style of yoga they have practised.
Sessions begin with a joint warm-up. Apart from the obvious benefits, these movements initiate the process of releasing the soft tissues. They are commonly used in Chinese movement systems, but are less prominent in many modern yoga classes.
These are followed by conditioning movements coordinated with the breath — the sort of intuitive movements you’ve likely used for warming up for exercise in the past, but used very differently here. They are great for refining movement patterns in the body and are later adapted in the more challenging sequences. They relieve stiffness, improve circulation, and help regulate one’s breathing.
There is a diagnostic element to the first session, as it can reveal habitual movement patterns, areas of weakness, restriction or excess, and even mentally held patterns. This information is then used to plan the first block of sessions based on the student’s needs.
Over time, and sometimes from week to week, the classes change and evolve to meet the student where they are and with what they require. Sometimes it might feel like a physical workout with lots of standing postures and dynamic movement, sometimes a gentle session with minimal movement, more seated postures, and a greater emphasis on the breath. For some students with an enquiring mind (usually these people are themselves teachers), the class might involve a lot of talking: theory, philosophy, troubleshooting problems that are coming up when they practise.
There have been occasions when a private class has simply been sitting with someone who is breaking down under the pressure of their life and just needs to be heard. There is no fixed formula. The practice has to respond to the person.
There have been occasions when a private class has simply been sitting with someone who is breaking down under the pressure of their life and just needs to be heard.
There is no fixed formula. The practice has to respond to the person.
Practising yoga alongside other people in a group class can be inspiring and uplifting, and the shared energy in the room creates something that private tuition can’t replicate. A group class also gives you the luxury of being led: you can switch off for a while and allow the teacher to guide you through the movements and postures.
That said, yoga studios are no longer the only place people encounter yoga, and with thousands of online classes available at the click of a button, there has never been more yoga available. Yet many people still struggle to establish a consistent and meaningful yoga practice of their own.
There’s no denying that online classes are a wonderful resource, but they cannot observe you, answer your questions or adapt to your changing needs.
Private yoga tuition provides a very different space. You will have the time to slow down and ask the kind of questions that only arise as you move through flowing sequences or hold a steady posture.
This is where you can learn at your own pace, build confidence in your own ability, and over time, trust your own internal guidance.
Many students genuinely want to establish a home yoga practice, but group classes aren’t necessarily designed to teach you how to do that. You’re given an hour, you’re guided through it, and then you go home.
One-to-one tuition gives us the opportunity to bridge that gap.
Together, we can explore what works for you, build things gradually, revisit them, adapt them as you learn, and eventually develop a practice that is yours and remains yours long after our session has ended.
Your personal yoga practice is where the good stuff happens.
Let’s have a conversation about what you’re looking for
A common thread that unites my students is that they all see their practice as an enquiry rather than a performance. My way of teaching suits those who come with curiosity; people who like to question, but even more, who are prepared to dig for the answers themselves and then discuss their thoughts with their teacher. The student’s own discoveries become part of the teaching, and the relationship between teacher and student becomes part of the practice itself. For me, this is where teaching gets really interesting: it becomes a partnership that drives growth.
I meet each person where they are and with what they want from their personal practice, and guide them according to their current level of ability. The intentions that the student first arrives with set the course of the classes, but the direction may change over time. The path is constantly unfolding as the practitioner evolves.
For example, we might begin with simple movements to warm and mobilise the body, gradually moving towards stronger movements that encourage deeper physical release and a greater awareness of how the body moves and feels. Over time, this can develop into a much subtler exploration of the breath, and by extension, your internal energy.
My own yoga practice, my qigong practice, my experience as a teacher and my years as an acupuncturist give me a particular understanding of these subtler aspects of the body. For experienced students, this can open the door to a deeper exploration of asana and, ultimately, the meditative aspects of yoga.
Do I need any previous experience?
No. I work with complete beginners as well as experienced practitioners and yoga teachers. The practice is adapted to the individual, not the other way around.
Can private tuition help me establish a home practice?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, this is one of the main reasons people seek one-to-one tuition. Over time, we can build a practice that suits your needs, your schedule and your current level of experience, helping you develop the confidence to practise independently.
Where do the classes happen?
They can take place at my home (the most cost effective option), or I can travel to your home if you have the space.
How much do they cost?
£60 if you come to me. If I travel to your home the cost is adjusted according to my travel time
Do I need to commit to a block of sessions?
Yes. I work on a monthly or block-payment basis because meaningful progress takes time. However, you can decide after the first session whether we’re a good fit before making any commitment.
Do I need a yoga mat?
Usually, yes. However, if you’re practising on a forgiving surface such as a carpet or rug, a mat may not be necessary. If in doubt, plan on using one.
Can I eat a meal before class?
I’d recommend leaving at least a couple of hours between a substantial meal and your session. All the stretching, twisting and folding of the abdomen can lead to discomfort, indigestion or worse!
I am recovering from an injury. Can I still practice yoga?
Usually, yes. There is almost always something we can do, but how much, how often and at what intensity will depend on the nature of the injury.
Please let me know about any significant health conditions, injuries, recent surgery or other concerns before your first session. Where appropriate, I may recommend that you seek advice from your healthcare professional before practising
The first step is simply a conversation
