Definitely, finding a private yoga teacher can be like navigating a maze, when you’re starting fresh, so you’re thinking on the right track by wanting someone who will focus on your unique needs. Firstly, when you’re hunting for a yoga teacher, look for someone who has a solid background in not just yoga, but also an understanding of Ayurveda. Since you’re especially interested in dosha balancing (with your vata-pitta constitution), it’ll be helpful to find a teacher who can integrate Ayurvedic principles into your practice. This means they’d factor in your doshas when guiding practices that will stabilize your current imbalances.
For picking a teacher, consider checking reviews online, if any, or asking for references from other students. A red flag would be if a teacher dismisses your health concerns or doesn’t seem open to discussing your goals and conditions. Like, if they’re pushing one style without listening to you, that’s probably a no-go. It’s important they are certified and ideally have training or at least familiarity with Ayurveda too — this bit is key.
Speaking of frequency, starting with once a week is good, especially if you’re working through stress and physical discomfort. You don’t want to overdo it initially. Once you get comfy with the basics and your nervousness eases, you might find gradually increasing sessions beneficial, maybe add some practice at home too. Your practice should evolve with you, adapting to changes in your stress levels, physical capacity, and comfort.
And, yes, private sessions should absolutely be customizable. Your teacher should tailor them to match your energy levels and moods, it should feel refreshing and not another stressor. And as someone with a vata-pitta constitution, calming, grounding practices would balance vata, while flexibility and strength can soothe pitta imbalances.
Try to also communicate honestly with your teacher about how you’re responding to the practice. Transparency goes a long way toward harmonizing your doshas and general well-being. Hope this makes stepping into this new journey a little bit easier!