Once you’ve decided to start yoga, the next question is how. Do you join a group class and practise alongside others, or book private coaching where every session is planned around you? Most articles on this are written to sell one option. This one lays out both honestly, so you can pick what fits your body, goals and budget.
I offer both: group coaching at $150 a month and private coaching at $300 a month. Neither is the “right” choice for everyone. If you’re at the very beginning, my beginner’s guide to yoga in Hong Kong explains the styles and what a first class looks like.
Group and private coaching at a glance
| Group coaching | Private coaching | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 a month | $300 a month |
| Attention | Shared across the room | All on you |
| Pace | Set for the group | Set for you |
| Plan | The class sequence of the day | Built around your body and goals |
| Community | You practise with others | One-to-one |
| Best for | Healthy beginners who want a routine | Injuries, specific goals, or anyone who feels unsure in a room of people |
What group coaching gives you
Routine and motivation. A regular class with familiar faces makes it easier to keep showing up, especially on mornings when you’d rather stay in bed.
The energy of practising together. Breathing and moving with a room of people has a quality of its own. Many students find it calming in a way that’s hard to recreate alone.
Lower cost. At half the price of private coaching, group classes make regular practice affordable.
Learning by watching. Seeing others move through a pose, in their own way, shows you that there’s no single correct shape.
The trade-off is attention. In a group, the teacher guides everyone at once, and the pace is set for the room rather than for you. If you’ve never been to a group class, here’s how a first class works.
What private coaching gives you
A plan built around your body. Each session starts from where you are that day: your strength, flexibility, energy and any injuries. Nothing is generic.
Safer work around injuries and health conditions. If you’re managing a sore back, a stiff hip or recovery from an operation, one-to-one sessions let the practice change pose by pose.
Faster progress on specific goals. Whether you want to sleep better, ease tension from desk work or build up to a particular pose, private coaching focuses every minute on that.
A calmer space to start. Some people feel self-conscious or overwhelmed in a group. A private session removes that pressure, so you can learn the basics before joining a class. My training in trauma-informed yoga shapes how I hold that space.
The trade-offs are cost and community. Private coaching costs twice as much, and you miss the shared energy of a class.
A quick way to decide
Count how many of these statements are true for you:
- I have an injury, chronic pain or a health condition.
- I’m pregnant or recently gave birth.
- I feel nervous or self-conscious exercising around other people.
- I have a specific goal and want to reach it quickly.
- My schedule is unpredictable.
Three or more: start with private coaching. One or two: either works, so think about what motivates you more, people or personal attention. None: group coaching is a great place to begin.
Pregnancy and private coaching
I’ve trained in prenatal yoga, and private sessions are often the most comfortable way to practise during pregnancy, because each session can adapt to how you feel that week. Always check with your doctor or midwife first. My post on prenatal yoga basics explains what to look for and what to avoid.
You can change your mind
The choice isn’t permanent. A common path is to start with private coaching for a month or two, learn the foundations safely, and then move into group classes with confidence. Others join a group first and switch to private coaching when they want to work on something specific. If you’d like a mix, ask me what’s possible.
Questions to ask any yoga teacher before you sign up
- What training do you have, especially for injuries, pregnancy or stress?
- Is this class suitable for complete beginners?
- How do you adapt poses for people with injuries?
- What happens if I miss a session?
- What’s included in the monthly fee?
A good teacher will be happy to answer all of these.
Frequently asked questions
Is private yoga worth the extra cost?
It is if you have an injury, a health condition, a specific goal or you feel uneasy in groups. If you’re healthy and simply want to start, group classes give excellent value.
Are group yoga classes okay for complete beginners?
Yes. My classes welcome students of all ages, body types and experience levels, and every pose has an easier option. Tell the teacher it’s your first class.
Can I switch from private to group coaching later?
Yes. Many students start privately to learn the basics and move into group classes once they feel confident.
Is private yoga better for back pain or injuries?
Usually, because the session can be planned around your body. Check with your doctor first if you’re managing a medical condition.
How much do group and private yoga cost?
Group coaching is $150 a month and private coaching is $300 a month.
Can I have private yoga sessions while pregnant?
Yes, with your doctor’s or midwife’s approval. Private sessions make it easy to adapt each practice to how you feel that week.
Choose the way you’ll keep going
The best format is the one you’ll actually stick with. If personal attention will keep you safe and motivated, start private. If a regular class and a friendly room will get you out of bed, start with a group. Either way, the most important class is the next one.