Published on: October 04, 2024
Last updated: March 19, 2025
In this guide, we've curated a list of the top 5 private yoga teachers in San Diego. Each instructor has been selected based on their expertise, qualifications, and commitment to providing personalized yoga instruction. Whether you're looking to deepen your practice, manage stress, or simply find a moment of peace in your day, these instructors offer something for everyone.
I am passionate about yoga and have been practicing for over 20 years. However, due to chronic back pain that started in my childhood, I often found myself struggling during group yoga classes. Even though I knew to "go at your own pace," I would unconsciously push myself to match the teacher’s speed or keep up with others, which often worsened my back issues. A few years ago, I discovered private yoga through an online teacher, and the experience was transformative—my back pain significantly improved. Since then, I have become a firm believer in the benefits of private yoga.
Private yoga allows for personalized attention and adjustments, which can greatly enhance the overall practice, especially for those dealing with physical limitations or looking for a more tailored experience. However, I noticed that the number of teachers offering private sessions is limited, and there’s a lack of comprehensive information on how to choose the right private yoga teacher.
This article aims to provide a useful guide for individuals seeking a private yoga teacher who suits their unique needs. I hope this resource helps you find the perfect teacher and experience the many benefits of private yoga.
Kat is a San Diego–based artist and yoga teacher whose work blends creativity, spiritual depth, and personal transformation. Her mission is to reflect others “home” through mindful teaching, art, and writing. With a background in yoga philosophy and personal development, Kat guides students to uncover greater clarity, freedom, and connection. Her private sessions are deeply personal and flexible, weaving together asana, breathwork, meditation, and yoga philosophy based on each student's unique life path. Kat’s approach is compassionate, reflective, and rooted in the belief that yoga is a practice for living with truth, grace, and effectiveness. She also donates part of her proceeds to organizations that support the natural world and community well-being.
Kat’s private yoga sessions are ideal for those seeking a soulful, personalized, and transformational experience—whether you're a beginner or advanced practitioner. Her teaching is especially supportive for creatives, deep thinkers, and anyone navigating personal growth or emotional healing. Sessions can focus on physical postures, breathwork, meditation, or yoga philosophy, and are available in-person or virtually. Students looking to deepen their practice with a reflective guide who honors both tradition and individuality will find Kat’s offerings meaningful and expansive.
Visit Kat Ellis
Shawna Schenk is the founder of Yoga With Shawna, a highly regarded yoga teacher, Reiki master, and author based in San Diego. With over a decade of experience, she has led yoga classes, workshops, teacher training, and retreats around the world. Shawna’s holistic approach to healing integrates yoga, meditation, breathwork, Reiki, and plant medicine. As a seasoned educator, she has developed over 12 Yoga Alliance-recognized teacher training programs and authored several books, including the internationally acclaimed "Yoga for Teens." Her private sessions are personalized to meet the unique needs of individuals or small groups.
Shawna is perfect for those seeking a deeply holistic and transformative yoga experience. Her sessions incorporate unique elements like plant medicine and essential oils, making them ideal for individuals looking to heal both physically and spiritually. Beginners will appreciate her educational background and clear instruction, while advanced practitioners can deepen their practice through her integrative approach, which addresses both the body and mind. Shawna’s personalized, holistic style offers a truly transformative experience for all levels.
Visit Shawna Schenk
Allison is a compassionate and experienced yoga instructor and ACE-certified personal trainer based in San Diego, specializing in private in-home yoga for women over 60. After unexpectedly losing her corporate job in 2017, Allison turned her part-time teaching into a full-time calling. With over a decade of teaching experience, she now offers one-on-one sessions that focus on strength, mobility, flexibility, and injury recovery. Her teaching style is warm, supportive, and deeply personal—rooted in the belief that yoga is a tool for connection, healing, and empowerment. Whether working with seniors, CEOs, or software engineers, Allison meets each student where they are, bringing yoga directly into their lives and homes.
Allison’s private sessions are ideal for women aged 55 and older who want to explore yoga for the first time or use it to manage persistent issues such as lower back pain, limited mobility, or post-injury recovery. Her approach is gentle, non-intimidating, and tailored to meet individual needs—perfect for beginners, older adults, or anyone seeking to feel stronger and more balanced with age. She also works well with those who prefer a personal, in-home experience over a traditional studio setting, offering flexible and accessible yoga that supports lifelong wellness and independence.
Visit Allison
Amelia Bachtiar Jones is a yoga teacher who integrates holistic healing and yoga's authentic roots into her practice. With over a decade of personal yoga experience and 5 years of teaching, she holds a 500 Hour Yoga Certification (RYT) and approaches yoga from a decolonization perspective. Amelia’s sessions go beyond physical exercise, blending breath work, meditation, yoga movement, and philosophy to help clients cultivate flexibility, strength, and mindfulness.
Amelia is an excellent fit for those seeking a deep connection to yoga’s origins, holistic healing, and mindfulness. Her diverse expertise, ranging from Vinyasa and restorative yoga to mindful pre/postnatal yoga and life coaching, makes her ideal for clients looking for a personalized, integrative approach to wellness. Whether you're aiming to strengthen your body, practice mindfulness, or embrace holistic self-care, Amelia's approach supports balanced well-being.
Visit Amelia Bachtiar Jones
Amy Baack is a yoga and meditation teacher with over a decade of experience, specializing in private and corporate yoga and meditation coaching. Based in San Diego, she runs Mind Body Badass, LLC, a mobile yoga company offering customized sessions tailored to each client’s unique needs. Amy holds certifications in a variety of disciplines, including aerial yoga, SUP yoga, and group fitness. Her versatile teaching style blends restorative yoga, Vinyasa, meditation, and fitness techniques, helping clients heal both mentally and physically through personalized programs. Drawing from her own experiences overcoming pain and adversity, Amy is passionate about supporting her clients on their wellness journeys.
Amy is ideal for individuals seeking a deeply personalized and holistic approach to yoga, meditation, and fitness. Her expertise makes her particularly suited for those facing physical or mental challenges, as she understands the transformative power of yoga through her own journey of healing from chronic neck pain and emotional trauma. Whether you're a beginner managing pain, someone looking to feel empowered, or a corporate client seeking wellness services, Amy's broad expertise and individualized care can help you achieve your goals.
Visit Amy Baack
How did you find the list? I hope you've discovered the perfect yoga teacher to meet your needs. However, if you didn’t find a nearby teacher that suits you or if none of these options feel quite right, I encourage you to consider the next section on online private yoga as an alternative. While it may not fully replicate the experience of in-person sessions in-person experience, online private yoga offers the convenience of practicing from home anytime, along with the potential for cost savings. It's a great option worth considering.
One standout option for online private yoga is ONE OM ONE, an accessible platform offering affordable and high-quality personalized classes. For just $108 per month, you can access up to 30 personalized sessions—a fantastic deal for anyone looking to integrate yoga into their daily routine without breaking the bank. Supported by the largest yoga teacher training school in Japan and Malaysia, this platform guarantees top-notch instruction and reliable quality control.
Headquarter: San Diego
Number of Instructors: 20
Pricing: $68/month for weekly sessions
$108/month for more than twice-weekly sessions (up to 31 sessions per month)
Class Duration: 45 minutes
Best For: Those who prioritize having a wide range of instructor choices and prefer to customize their learning experience.
Visit ONE OM ONE
Private yoga offers a deeply personalized approach to enhancing your practice, whether you're working to alleviate physical discomfort, manage stress, or simply enjoy a more focused yoga experience. The teachers we've highlighted in this guide each bring a unique blend of expertise, passion, and flexibility to their teaching, making them excellent choices for those who want to elevate their yoga journey.
If you didn’t find the right teacher nearby or if your schedule demands greater flexibility, online private yoga options—like ONE OM ONE—are an excellent alternative. With personalized sessions from the comfort of your own home, you can still reap the benefits of one-on-one instruction without geographical or scheduling limitations.
In any case, whether in-person or online, finding the right private yoga teacher can be a transformative experience. We hope this guide has helped you get one step closer to choosing the teacher that best suits your needs and goals. Start your journey today, and embrace the many rewards that personalized yoga can offer.
Namaste
Jimmy
Author: Jimmy Ito