6 Best Private Yoga Teachers in Portland

6 Best Private Yoga Teachers in Portland

In this guide, we've curated a list of the top 6 private yoga teachers in Portland. 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 Portland, we've used the following criteria to select these top 6 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 6 Private Yoga Teachers in Portland

1. Abby Kraai Total: 70 / 100 pt

Abby Kraai

Abby is a dedicated yoga teacher, trainer, and mentor based in Portland, OR, specializing in trauma-informed care and adaptive movement practices. With personal experience in scoliosis and spinal fusion, she brings compassion and understanding to her teaching, meeting students exactly where they are. Abby offers private sessions that may include active movement, restorative yoga, breathwork, or yoga philosophy, and she works with individuals facing challenges such as grief, eating disorders, and trauma. Her personalized approach ensures that each session caters to the unique needs of her students.

Teaching Experience: Not mentioned (3 / 15 pt)
Qualifications: 500-hour Advanced Training with Jason Crandell (15 / 20 pt)
Social Media Followers: 2.1k (7 / 10 pt)
Passion for Private Yoga: Extensively mentioned (15 / 15 pt)
Availability: ​Calendar with abundant availability (15 / 15 pt)
Pricing Competitiveness: USD 120/h (15 / 25 pt)

Visit Abby Kraai

2. Mandy Kruger Total: 70 / 100 pt

Mandy Kruger

Mandy Kruger is an experienced yoga teacher, massage therapist, and somatic experiencing practitioner based in Portland, Oregon. With nearly two decades of experience, she integrates her expertise in yoga, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, and holistic nutrition to support healing and personal transformation. Mandy’s teaching is grounded in trauma-informed care and nervous system regulation, combining bodywork and mind-body practices like Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda, and Somatic Experiencing. She offers private yoga instruction, group classes, and somatic therapy sessions to help clients achieve deeper self-awareness and healing.

Teaching Experience: 22 years (15 / 15 pt)
Qualifications: 500-hour comprehensive yoga teacher training, Massage therapy license, etc. (15 / 20 pt)
Social Media Followers: Less than 1k (5 / 10 pt)
Passion for Private Yoga: Not mentioned (5 / 15 pt)
Availability: ​Calendar with abundant availability (15 / 15 pt)
Pricing Competitiveness: USD 100/h (15 / 25 pt)

Visit Mandy Kruger

3. Matt Nelson Total: 61 / 100 pt

Matt Nelson

Matt Nelson is a seasoned yoga teacher with nearly 30 years of experience, offering a mindful and adaptive approach to yoga deeply rooted in traditional practices. His teaching incorporates a variety of healing modalities, including yoga asana, breathwork, somatic exercises, meditation, and Chi Gung, supporting both physical and emotional wellness. Matt’s trauma-informed approach promotes personal discovery and inner growth, creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for his students in both private yoga therapy sessions and group classes.

Teaching Experience: 18 years (15 / 15 pt)
Qualifications: Not mentioned (5 / 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 (3 / 15 pt)
Pricing Competitiveness: USD 95/h (20 / 25 pt)

Visit Matt Nelson

4. Beth Paxson Total: 56 / 100 pt

Beth Paxson

Beth Paxson is a skilled yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist with expertise in both Western structure/function and Eastern movement arts. A former Olympic Nordic skier and dedicated athlete, Beth has practiced Iyengar yoga since the 1990s. She integrates her deep knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, and bodywork into her teaching, helping students develop body awareness and improve their physical conditioning. Her approach is ideal for blending yoga with athletic training or daily activities to enhance performance.

Teaching Experience: Not mentioned (3 / 15 pt)
Qualifications: E-RYT 500 (20 / 20 pt)
Social Media Followers: Not mentioned (3 / 10 pt)
Passion for Private Yoga: Briefly mentioned (10 / 15 pt)
Availability: ​Mention of home visits or studio appointments (5 / 15 pt)
Pricing Competitiveness: USD 100/h (15 / 25 pt)

Visit Beth Paxson

5. Lauren J. Fields Total: 55 / 100 pt

Lauren J. Fields

Lauren J. Fields is a seasoned yoga instructor and the founder of Yoga to You PDX, a mobile yoga service designed to make yoga accessible to everyone. She also runs Alameda Yoga Studio in Portland, Oregon, where she offers smaller classes, workshops, and continuing education. With over 20,000 hours of teaching experience, Lauren is trained in Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar Foundations, and Yoga Synergy. She also specializes in Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga, providing personalized and inclusive yoga experiences tailored to each student’s needs.

Teaching Experience: 19 years (15 / 15 pt)
Qualifications:  E-RYT 500, YACEP (15 / 20 pt)
Social Media Followers: 3.5k (7 / 10 pt)
Passion for Private Yoga: Briefly mentioned (10 / 15 pt)
Availability: ​Mention of home visits or studio appointments (5 / 15 pt)
Pricing Competitiveness: Not mentioned (3 / 25 pt)

6. Megan Peterson Total: 50 / 100 pt

Megan Peterson

Megan Peterson is a queer and non-binary yoga therapist, doula, and pelvic floor yoga teacher based in Portland, Oregon. With a trauma-informed approach, Megan specializes in prenatal and postpartum care, offering private yoga therapy sessions and Somatic Childbirth Education. Passionate about creating inclusive spaces for queer and gender non-conforming individuals, Megan incorporates somatic experiencing, mindfulness, and rehabilitative exercises into their teachings, fostering holistic well-being through personalized care.

Teaching Experience: 12 years (10 / 15 pt)
Qualifications: C- IAYT Yoga Therapist , Somatic Experiencing- Intermediate Two, etc. (15 / 20 pt)
Social Media Followers: Less than 1k (7 / 10 pt)
Passion for Private Yoga: Briefly mentioned (10 / 15 pt)
Availability: ​Mention of home visits or studio appointments (5 / 15 pt)
Pricing Competitiveness: 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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