Your yoga and mindfulness practices should support you, regardless of what’s going on in your life, or especially because of it.
These practices are for you. Now.
You get to decide how you move, breathe and be.
Group yoga classes have many benefits, and as a teacher and practitioner myself, I love teaching and attending them.
That said, they’re not for everyone all the time. There are many reasons why group classes might not be the right fit for you and why private lessons just might be.
We were all designed to move. breathe. be.
What Is Private Yoga?
Private lessons allow for personal design, individualized attention and accountability at your convenience.
Yoga is a unique experience for all of us. We each come to it for a myriad of reasons, and we often stay with it for other, different motivations. Private lessons are a fantastic way to journey along your yoga path, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been practicing for years, with a qualified teacher as your guide.
Possible areas that we might explore include:
Postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana);
The balance between strength and flexibility;
The development of a home practice;
The use of yoga to reduce stress and manage anxiety;
Managing through injury;
A deeper understanding of yoga overall; and
Yoga’s integration into the context of every day’s work-life imbalance.
Private lessons are not substitutes for care provided by medical professionals, such as doctors and physical therapists. The services offered by these professionals are beyond the scope of practice of any yoga teacher unless also credentialed in these fields.
Together, you and I will co-design a plan according to your specific goals and needs, arriving at a quality, safe and accessible yoga program for you.
Does This Sound Familiar?
You’re a beginner who wants to start a yoga practice
You’ve practiced before but hope to refine the fundamentals in a more customized experience
You’re working with an injury or other condition and want to live with less pain and more strength and mobility
You’re a seasoned practitioner looking to fine tune your postures (asana) given your unique idiosyncrasies or to further incorporate breathwork (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana)
You’re hoping to learn more about yoga beyond the mat, including yoga philosophy
You’re a yoga teacher yourself who desires personalized mentorship or who wants to re-commit to your own yoga practice
You’d prefer customized instruction outside of a group yoga class at a cadence that meets your schedule
You’re seeking to be seen, heard and supported by an experienced student-first yoga teacher who guides with knowledge, curiosity and compassion
I’m Catherine.
I’m an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and a Continuing Education Provider (YACEP). I trained at YogaWorks—widely considered one of the most rigorous yoga teacher training programs in the world. I was a YogaWorks Teacher Trainer, too.
Credentials are only part of it, though. What’s most important is that I’m a student first.
I’ve been practicing yoga for more than 20 years. And I know a thing or two about injury, having first come to yoga after two foot surgeries forced me to hang up my spikes after more than a decade of high-level running. Yoga helped me understand body movement as well as integration of breath and mindfulness in ways that competitive athletics never did. Over the years, I’ve helped numerous clients with injuries of their own.
How We Begin
STEP ONE.
INTAKE. We’ll chat to understand your goals and objectives from private yoga lessons as well as your history of movement, mindfulness,, injury and chronic pain.
STEP TWO.
DISCOVERY. We’ll discuss what present state is like for you as well as uncover what change you want for yourself.
STEP THREE.
PRACTICE. We’ll follow the plan we co-designed and adjust as need be based off of what we’re learning and what you’re experiencing on and off the mat.
Frequently Asked Questions
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These days, to provide the most flexibility in schedule, most students choose to meet virtually via Zoom, though I do offer in-person private sessions at my home in Historic Anacostia in Washington, D.C.
If another location is desired, we can discuss on an individual basis.
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Typically, my clients and I schedule 60 minute sessions each week or every other week. However, based on goals and needs, we can arrange for shorter (ie, for 30 minutes) or longer (ie, 75 minutes).
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It depends! We’ll co-design the plan together based upon your goals, needs and wants as well as your schedule and budget. Most students meet on a weekly or bi-weekly cadence.
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It depends! If you don’t do any yoga outside of our sessions together, you’ll still benefit greatly from the yoga you do practice during our private lessons.
That said, if desired, I’ll offer homework to explore between sessions, and I’d be happy to work with you to co-create what a home practice and/or group class schedule can look like for you.
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I’d recommend having a dedicated area in which to roll out a yoga mat and where you won’t be disturbed during our sessions. Ideally, your computer would be approximately 6 feet away from your mat so that I can better see you.
Regarding props, I’d recommend a yoga mat, two blocks, two blankets, a bolster and a belt. And access to a wall! At minimum, a yoga mat.
If we meet at my home, I’ll have all the props (and wall space!) we’ll need.
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Yes! I’m an expert at cueing the yoga postures so you’ll be able to follow via my verbal instruction alone. That said, with the proper camera set up, I’ll also be able to see you and your body’s positioning as you move, breathe and be. As necessary, I’ll demonstrate as well so if you’re more of a visual learner, I’ve got you covered there, too.
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I’m collaborative, honest and straightforward. I’ll guide you along this process, bringing forward recommendations based upon my 20+ years of practice and teaching and leading with curiosity, exploration and humor.
I’ll be your teammate. You’ve got this, and I can help.
“I worked with Catherine in private instruction, and she is an excellent teacher. She explains, demonstrates and breaks down each pose and helps make appropriate adjustments. She is very patient and goes the extra mile to document each session.”
— Bill A., Washington, D.C.
“Catherine is truly a jewel. I was extremely lucky to encounter her…her knowledge, enthusiasm, erudition, attention to detail, clarity in explanation and light-filled energy make her one of the best yoga instructors I have ever come across. She was even able to very thoughtfully help me through an injury. I feel very lucky to be able to learn from her.”
— Tatyana K., New York City
Let’s Find Out If We’re a Fit
Fill out the form below, and I’ll be in touch to set up some time to chat—a conversation with no expectations. Just an honest look at where you are and whether working together makes sense.
FYI, if you’re interested in duets (semi-private instruction with a friend or partner) or even private group sessions with friends or co-workers, use this form as well and please indicate that in the Notes box. Thanks!
