Yoga Privates - Why are they important and why shouldn't you just go to a class?

Yoga, oh the healing medicine of yoga. Did you know that yoga is actually a science and that Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences? Over my many years of teaching the medicine and science of yoga, I often have felt like I have to be very careful how I talk about yoga to my students and around other yoga teachers. Truly, I honor all yoga practitioners and teachers for practicing and teaching what they were taught and what they feel yoga is for authentically for them and there is definite benefit from every kind of class. What is authentic for me is to teach others the true medicine of yoga... the science and medicine of yoga that I have been taught. I am blessed to have had so many teachers and mentors of yoga over the years, but still I only know a small fraction of what is out there and I'm humbled by constantly learning all that yoga truly has to offer. I'm honored to be able to share my knowledge with you.

At the beginning of my yoga journey, I used to teach what I'm going to call the "mainstream way" for many years, until I met teachers who opened up my world to the actual science of yoga and the Ayurvedic relationship to yoga. It absolutely blew my mind, and I wasn't happy at first with what I had just discovered. When I truly sat with this knowledge, I came to understand that what I had just learned was so much the antithesis of what I had been previously trained to teach and everything I had studied up until then. Part of that sadness stemmed from the fact that I realized I needed to stop practicing some of the things I absolutely loved. But guess what!?!? It felt so much better, both physically and mentally when I stopped those 'yoga' practices that were actually making me feel worse long term.

Before bringing the focus back on the importance of yoga privates, there are some points I invite you to simply contemplate:

• One of my favorite phrases from one of my teachers: "Western yoga is like playing 5 card poker with 3 cards."

• Is the practice that makes you feel the best really the best practice for you? (Like attracts like, including with imbalances.)

• Goat yoga, beer yoga, gun yoga, naked yoga, power sculpt yoga... these are not the medicine of yoga. I'm not saying that people may enjoy these or they aren't good for you, but let's not call it yoga. Enjoy these practices, have fun, but perhaps reflect on the appropriateness of calling them yoga.

• Acro Yoga, Aerial Yoga - These are acrobatic practices that have been around for quite some time - they are not yoga. (I can teach these... and have in the past. I just don't refer to them as yoga anymore.)

• Bikram Yoga, Yin Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Anusara Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hot Yoga, Rocket Yoga, and so many more. These are all Western-designed yoga brands. Again, I'm not saying there isn't any benefit to these classes, but it is important to recognize the modern origins.

• Yoga is a form of somatic movement but somatic movement is not yoga. Yet, so much of the West is trying to lump them together and integrate too many different things into one category. Can it be beneficial? Absolutely! I've taught these type of classes...but again, let's call it something else besides yoga.

• For those who are interested in this, there are great books and papers on the history of yoga and asana (posture) as it made its way to the West. A list of book recommendations will come soon!

Now, why the importance of having private 1:1 yoga sessions?

First and foremost, the yoga practice needs to be designed for the individual practitioner because we are all unique and different. Remember in the beginning when I mentioned Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences? The science teaches that each asana (posture) in yoga affects the dosas (read my general information on Ayurveda for more of an explanation of the dosas). There are postures that aggravate Pitta, Vata, and Kapha, while there are postures that halp balance - the same goes with pranayama, meditation, and overall 'type' of practice. Meditation can actually cause imbalance depending on what is going on with the unique individual. Without this knowledge, your yoga practice can simply be enhancing your dosic imbalances or aggravating any health issues. Both yoga and Ayurveda recommend certain practices for certain times of your life. With 1:1 yoga sessions your practice is designed for your balance and growth. As your yoga teacher/therapist I can see which vayus are blocked, which dosas are out of balance, and so much more simply by various yogic techniques that can be applied in sessions.

Private 1:1 yoga sessions provide you with the information so you eventually know how to cater your own personal practice. Private sessions can also work with your individual needs, whether it be muscular/joint pain and restriction, physiological challenges, or mental health challenges, for example.

Most importantly, however, you will learn to work with the breath, your most powerful tool. The focus is not on the asanas themselves. When we are in an asana it merely provides the base for the work - the real work is with the breath, vayus, bandhas, mind, and more.

So what will you get from a yoga practice?

1) Tailored yoga asana, breathwork/pranayama, dhyana/meditation practices for your unique needs and goals

2) Ability to evaluate how your practice may need to change depending on what is going on in your body and life in that moment.

3) Depending on your practitioner level, more advanced techniques.

4) Once ready, you will also get the tools I teach in my Diving Deeper Series, including but not limited to:

• Moon Practice (no, it is not yin or moon salutations or restorative)

• Sun Practice

• Fire Practice

• Truly understanding bandha's

• Advanced kriyas

• Advanced understanding and practice of pranayama

Finally, I would like to leave you with one last thing (there are so many!) to contemplate for now:

• What is the difference between paschimottanasana (pictured below) and the exact same 'asana' that is used in athletics, dance, and general stretching? What makes stretching and yoga different while in the same shape/form?

If this inspires curiosity, feel free to reach out and schedule a private yoga session.

Until next time. :)