In this guide, we've curated a list of the top 7 private yoga teachers in Charlotte. 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.
To ensure that you're getting the best private yoga instruction in Charlotte, we've used the following criteria to select these top 7 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:
| 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.
Dean Telano is a visionary leader in holistic wellness with over 40 years of experience. A Grand Master Yoga Teacher and Gong Master, Dean integrates vibrational movement, breathwork, energy alignment, and sound therapy to promote healing and transformation. His extensive credentials include a PhD in Natural Health and advanced training in numerous yoga styles, such as Kind Karma® Yoga, Hatha, Kundalini, Tibetan, and Yin Yoga. Dean’s expertise also spans meditation techniques like Mindfulness, Zhiné, and Mantra meditation. As the founder of Kind Karma Reiki Institute and the Vibrational Academy of Sound Therapy, he fosters a deeper connection between physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through personalized teachings and nonprofit initiatives.
Dean Telano’s private yoga sessions are ideal for individuals seeking a deeply personalized and transformative practice. Beginners can build a strong foundation and gain confidence for group classes, while experienced practitioners can refine poses and explore advanced variations. Dean’s tailored approach is particularly beneficial for those managing injuries, health concerns, or pregnancy, offering safe, customized guidance. With a focus on breathwork, body alignment, and mindfulness, his sessions help students of all levels enhance their body awareness, recuperate from physical challenges, and achieve holistic balance in life.
Visit Dean Telano
Grace Millsap (she/they) is a yoga educator, Ayurvedic counselor, and former scientist with a passion for combining science, equality, and ancient traditions to create holistic well-being. Based in Charlotte, NC, Grace teaches yoga rooted in the Tantra and Himalayan traditions of Sri Vidya, blending modern scientific understanding with ancient wisdom. With over a decade of yoga practice and certifications including E-RYT 500 and Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, Grace offers personalized sessions tailored to individual needs. Her approach integrates yoga asana, meditation, breathwork, and Ayurvedic insights to promote balance, resilience, and self-discovery. Her teaching style is inclusive, joyful, and deeply informed by her diverse background in psychology, biology, and yoga methodology.
Grace’s private yoga sessions are ideal for beginners seeking to establish a strong foundation or individuals looking for tailored guidance to improve alignment and balance in their practice. Her Ayurvedic consultations are perfect for those feeling "off-balance" or seeking natural, personalized solutions to health and well-being. Grace also supports those navigating life transitions or stress, offering tools like routine building, breathwork, and emotional processing to help reconnect with their natural rhythm. Yoga teachers seeking mentorship or career guidance can benefit from her 1:1 or group mentorship programs, which focus on reigniting passion and creating sustainable growth in teaching.
Visit Grace Millsap
Carrie Wren is a seasoned yoga educator and executive coach with over a decade of teaching experience. She has facilitated yoga teacher trainings for eight years and holds thousands of hours of specialized training in trauma-informed practices, yin yoga, meditation, and anatomy. Carrie’s approach is rooted in helping students respect, appreciate, and feel at home in their bodies. Her teaching style fosters curiosity and confidence, making yoga accessible to those who may feel hesitant or unsure about the practice. As a passionate globe-trotter and retreat facilitator, Carrie brings her vibrant energy to private yoga sessions, creating personalized experiences tailored to individual needs and goals.
Carrie’s private yoga sessions are ideal for beginners, skeptics, or those who feel “not bendy enough” for yoga. If you value a more informal environment where questions and feedback are encouraged, her approach provides a supportive space to explore yoga at your own pace. These sessions are particularly suited for individuals seeking personalized guidance, whether to address physical challenges, deepen body awareness, or build confidence in their practice. With her trauma-informed expertise, Carrie’s sessions are also beneficial for those working through emotional or physical healing.
Visit Carrie Wren
Claire Santos, founder of 12 Sparrows Yoga, is a deeply experienced yoga educator, trauma-informed mindfulness advocate, and global retreat leader with over 6,000 teaching hours. Claire’s yoga journey began in childhood, deepened through personal challenges including PTSD, and blossomed into a mission to share the healing power of yoga. She holds multiple 200-hour and 500-hour certifications, including advanced training in Himalayan Sattva Yoga, Ayurveda, tantra, and yoga psychology. Her teaching is rooted in creating accessible, transformative practices that integrate mind, body, and spirit. Claire specializes in guiding students toward empowerment and global consciousness through personalized, universal teachings.
Claire’s private sessions are perfect for individuals seeking transformative growth, whether through yoga, meditation, or life coaching. Her approach is particularly beneficial for those working through trauma, seeking mind-body integration, or striving for clarity in their personal or professional lives. She supports clients with tailored practices, including Himalayan Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Meditation, and vision-setting workshops. Couples looking to strengthen their foundation and deepen connection can benefit from her specialized relationship coaching. With her global perspective and compassionate expertise, Claire helps clients achieve alignment, balance, and purpose in life.
Visit Claire Santos
Lizzy Hoffmann is a seasoned yoga educator with a lifetime of experience, deeply rooted in the teachings of yoga since childhood. Inspired by her mother’s studies with renowned gurus like Muktananda and Satchitananda, Lizzy seamlessly blends her early exposure to yoga with her professional background in dance, kinesiology, and fitness. As the founder of Urban Bliss School of Yoga, Lizzy holds certifications at the 1,000-hour level, including E-RYT 500, and has an extensive foundation in yoga history, philosophy, asana sequencing, and specialty practices such as Yin Yoga and Pregnancy Yoga. With a commitment to accessibility and personalized learning, she offers both private and group yoga teacher trainings tailored to individual schedules and needs.
Lizzy Hoffmann’s private yoga instruction and teacher trainings are ideal for individuals seeking in-depth, personalized yoga education from a highly experienced and knowledgeable instructor. Her offerings are perfect for those with demanding schedules who value flexibility and convenience, allowing students to earn their 200- or 300-hour Yoga Alliance-approved certifications online or in-person at their own pace. Lizzy’s sessions are particularly beneficial for aspiring yoga teachers, yoga practitioners wanting to deepen their practice, or those interested in specialized areas like Yin Yoga, prenatal yoga, and yoga philosophy. Her expertise in asana sequencing and movement dynamics also makes her an excellent guide for dancers, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking to enhance their physical and spiritual well-being.
Visit Lizzy Hoffmann
Karen Williams is an experienced yoga instructor with over 25 years of practice, specializing in therapeutic yoga and holding the esteemed E-RYT 500 certification. Her journey into yoga began as a response to a minor back injury, which evolved into a profound passion for the body/mind/spirit connection that yoga offers. Karen’s teaching is rooted in Kripalu yoga principles, focusing on breath awareness, mindful movement, and present moment mindfulness. She is dedicated to helping her students discover their unique strengths and build sustainable, personalized yoga practices that support their overall well-being. Karen’s expertise in therapeutic yoga makes her a compassionate and knowledgeable guide for individuals at all levels of experience.
Karen Williams’ private yoga instruction is ideal for individuals new to yoga or those with specific physical limitations who would benefit from a tailored approach. Her therapeutic focus makes her sessions particularly valuable for those recovering from injuries or illnesses, managing chronic pain, or navigating the aging process. Karen’s guidance is well-suited for students seeking to improve strength, balance, flexibility, and alignment, as well as those looking to cultivate a sustainable home practice. Her emphasis on stress relief, relaxation, and holistic health makes her a perfect choice for anyone seeking a well-rounded yoga experience. Sessions are conducted via Zoom, providing accessibility and convenience for clients everywhere.
Visit Karen Williams
Debbie is a passionate RYT-200 certified yoga instructor from Enlighten Yoga, committed to helping individuals discover inner balance, strength, and peace. Her approach integrates personal practice in Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative, and Fusion yoga styles, tailored to individual needs. Debbie’s journey through injury and healing fuels her empathetic teaching style, emphasizing mindfulness, breathwork, and alignment. She creates a safe and welcoming space for students to reconnect with their bodies, calm their minds, and experience joy through movement and stillness. Her practice extends beyond asanas to guided meditation, fostering deep self-awareness and transformation.
Debbie’s yoga and meditation sessions are ideal for individuals seeking a personalized approach to healing and growth. Her private and semi-private lessons are perfect for those recovering from injuries, managing stress, or pursuing mental clarity. Debbie’s method is particularly beneficial for beginners or those exploring multiple yoga styles, such as Restorative and Yin, to achieve relaxation and flexibility. Additionally, her focus on breath-centered practice and meditation makes her an excellent guide for anyone seeking emotional resilience and a deeper sense of self.
Visit Debbie Mangeney
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.
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
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.
Author: Hajime "Jimmy" Ito