5 Best Private Yoga Teachers in Washington DC

5 Best Private Yoga Teachers in Washington DC

In this guide, we've curated a list of the top 5 private yoga teachers in Washington DC. 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.

Purpose of This Article

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.

Selection Criteria

To ensure that you're getting the best private yoga instruction in Washington DC, we've used the following criteria to select these top 5 instructors:

Personal Website: Each instructor maintains a personal website, allowing easy access to information and booking.
Private Class Availability: All instructors offer private yoga sessions as part of their services. In addition, we've scored each instructor on a variety of factors:

  • Personal Website: All instructors maintain a personal website for easy access to information and bookings (mandatory).
  • Private Class Availability: Each instructor offers private yoga sessions as part of their services (mandatory).
Criterion Points Description
Teaching Experience 15 points 3 pt: Not mentioned or less than 4 years
5 pt: 5–9 years
10 pt: 10–14 years
15 pt: 15 or more years
Qualifications 20 points 5 pt: Not mentioned
10 pt: RYT 200 only
15 pt: E-RYT 200, RYT 500, or other qualifications
20 pt: E-RYT 500, Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, or Sivananda Yoga
Social Media Followers 10 points 3 pt: Not mentioned or fewer than 500 followers
5 pt: 500–999 followers
7 pt: 1,000–4,999 followers
10 pt: 5,000 or more followers
Comprehensive Private Yoga Offering & Focus 15 points 5 pt: Not mentioned
10 pt: Briefly mentioned
15 pt: Extensively mentioned
Availability 15 points 3 pt: No mention
5 pt: Mentions home visits or studio appointments
10 pt: Calendar with available time slots shown
15 pt: Calendar displayed with abundant time slots available
Price (60 min) 25 points 3 pt: No mention of pricing
5 pt: $150 or more
10 pt: $125–$149
15 pt: $100–$124
20 pt: $75–$99
25 pt: Less than $75

※Please note that these scores are subjective and meant to serve as a guide. Different individuals may prioritize different aspects when choosing an instructor.

Top 5 Private Yoga Teachers in Washington DC

1. Alicia Moyer Total: 73 / 100 pt

Alicia Moyer

Alicia is a seasoned yoga instructor, functional fitness coach, and bodywork specialist with over 20 years of personal practice and 2,500 hours of movement, anatomy, and bodywork training. Since 2007, she has been guiding students through yoga, meditation, breathwork, and health coaching. Alicia’s teaching style emphasizes curiosity, personal alignment, and self-trust, allowing students to explore movement with attention and intention. With her background as a research librarian and her transition to the healing arts in 2012, Alicia brings a unique perspective to her work. She inspires students to embrace lifelong learning and neuroplasticity, believing it’s never too late to try something new. Her private sessions are tailored to individual needs, whether it's for recovery, skill enhancement, or personal growth.

  • Teaching Experience: 17 years (15 / 15 pt)
  • Qualifications: E-RYT 500 (20 / 20 pt)
  • Social Media Followers: Not mentioned (3 / 10 pt)
  • Passion for Private Yoga: Extensively mentioned (15 / 15 pt)
  • Availability: Mention of home visits or studio appointments (5 / 15 pt)
  • Price : USD 120/h (15 / 25 pt)

Visit Alicia Moyer

2. Elina Rangelova Total: 65 / 100 pt

Elina Rangelova

Elina Rangelova is a dedicated wellness advocate and the creator of Anandita Wellness. As an E-RYT 200 yoga teacher with eight years of experience, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, and a Behavioral Change Specialist, Elina blends her diverse expertise to help individuals achieve balance and joy in their lives. Known for her clear instruction and thoughtful approach, she tailors her sessions to meet students where they are while challenging them to grow. Elina’s passion for yoga extends beyond the studio—she organizes memorable local and international yoga retreats that foster connection, relaxation, and rejuvenation. With a background in education, Elina also teaches kids yoga and movement classes, delighting families with her ability to inspire growth and joy in children. Her teaching style emphasizes form, mindfulness, and the meditative flow of synchronized movement and breath.

  • Teaching Experience: 8 years (5 / 15 pt)
  • Qualifications: E-RYT 200, YACEP (15 / 20 pt)
  • Social Media Followers: 0.5k (5 / 10 pt)
  • Passion for Private Yoga: Briefly mentioned (10 / 15 pt)
  • Availability: Calendar with abundant availability (15 / 15 pt)
  • Price : USD 120/h (15 / 25 pt)

3. Mimi Rieger Total: 60 / 100 pt

Mimi Rieger

Mimi Rieger, E-RYT® 500, is a highly accomplished yoga teacher and wellness coach with over 25 years of experience in practicing and teaching yoga. As the founder of MIMI RIEGER YOGA | STUDIO, the Power of Teaching yoga teacher training program, and PureFitnessDC, Mimi brings a multidisciplinary approach to yoga that blends Ashtanga, Rocket Vinyasa, Progressive Ashtanga, Budokon, Vinyasa, Yin, and Forrest Yoga. Known for her intelligent and intentional movement practices, Mimi fosters a compassionate, curiosity-driven learning environment for her students. Her extensive experience includes teaching private clients, professional sports teams, corporate wellness programs, and even First Lady Michelle Obama. Mimi’s offerings range from private sessions to international retreats, with a strong focus on cultivating balance, joy, and awareness in body, mind, and spirit.

  • Teaching Experience: 22 years (15 / 15 pt)
  • Qualifications: E-RYT 500, YACEP (20 / 20 pt)
  • Social Media Followers: 4.2k (7 / 10 pt)
  • Passion for Private Yoga: Briefly mentioned (10 / 15 pt)
  • Availability: Not mentioned (3 / 15 pt)
  • Price : USD 185/h (5 / 25 pt)

Visit Mimi Rieger

4. Michelle Total: 55 / 100 pt

Michelle

Michelle Cohen is a seasoned prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher and certified birth and postpartum doula with over a decade of experience supporting parents through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Her personalized approach combines alignment-based vinyasa, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, and breathwork, tailored to the unique needs of each individual. With a foundation in holistic and Western wisdom, Michelle creates a nurturing environment where mothers can reconnect with their bodies, find relief from physical discomforts, and cultivate mindfulness. Her dedication to empowering birthing parents stems from her own transformative experiences with motherhood, making her a compassionate and knowledgeable guide.

  • Teaching Experience: 16 years (15 / 15 pt)
  • Qualifications: RYT 200, RPYT  (10 / 20 pt)
  • Social Media Followers: 1.4k (7 / 10 pt)
  • Passion for Private Yoga: Extensively mentioned (15 / 15 pt)
  • Availability: Mention of home visits or studio appointments (5 / 15 pt)
  • Price : Not mentioned (3 / 25 pt)

Visit Michelle

5. Debra Mishalove Total: 46 / 100 pt

Debra Mishalove

Debra is the visionary founder and Creative Director of Flow Yoga Center, a vibrant yoga studio known for its community-focused ethos and world-class instruction. Since 2004, Debra has nurtured Flow into a cornerstone of Washington, DC's wellness scene, offering a welcoming sanctuary for yoga, fitness, and mindfulness. A Senior Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Coach, and Reiki Practitioner, Debra integrates her passion for yoga, environmental sustainability, and social justice into every aspect of her work. Recognized by the Washington City Paper and Washington Post as the “Best Yoga Studio” in DC, Flow serves over 2,000 weekly guests both online and in-person. Debra is also the founder of workFlow Wellness, a corporate well-being initiative, and a leader in community events like the annual Yoga on the Mall. Her dedication extends beyond yoga to raising funds for local causes, making Flow not just a business but a force for positive change.

  • Teaching Experience: 19 years (15 / 15 pt)
  • Qualifications: Not mentioned (5 / 20 pt)
  • Social Media Followers: 13.3k (10 / 10 pt)
  • Passion for Private Yoga: Briefly mentioned (10 / 15 pt)
  • Availability: ​​Not mentioned (3 / 15 pt)
  • Price : Not mentioned (3 / 25 pt)

Exploring the Option of Online Private Yoga

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 OM ONE: A Flexible and Affordable Online Private Yoga Platform

ONE OM ONE

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.

Headquarters: Tokyo, San Diego
Number of Instructors: 20
Pricing: $58/month for weekly sessions
  $98/month for twice-weekly sessions
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

Conclusion

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 students in San Diego 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.

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.


Jimmy Ito

Author: Hajime "Jimmy" Ito

Founder of ONE OM ONE, Jimmy Ito, born in Niigata, Japan, is a former judo champion and seasoned yoga industry expert. He pioneered Studio Yoggy in Japan, managed the largest yoga chain in 2004, and expanded his business in Malaysia by launching UNDER THE LIGHT YOGA Malaysia in 2016. In 2022, he founded ONE OM ONE, driven by his personal experience overcoming back pain through online private yoga. He currently resides between San Diego, Tokyo, and Malaysia. He believes that while group in-person yoga classes are widely popular, the combination of the traditional method of private yoga with modern internet technology offers unmatched personalized benefits.

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