Private yoga, or one-on-one yoga instruction, has deep roots in yoga’s traditions. Here’s a brief overview of its development:
In ancient India, knowledge and techniques were often taught individually in a Guru-Kula system (teacher’s household). This approach was based on a deep trust between the guru (teacher) and the disciple, allowing personalized instruction tailored to the disciple’s physical and mental state.
One well-known story highlights this tradition: King Chandakapali personally approached his teacher, Gheranda, bowing in reverence and asking, “Please teach me the path of yoga that leads to truth.” This scene symbolizes the essence of yoga learning—where even a king sought direct, individualized guidance from his master. The guru and disciple stood face to face, engaging in a one-on-one exchange shaped by the student’s body, mind, and circumstances.
This tradition continued into the Middle Ages, especially with the development of Hatha Yoga, where one-on-one teaching in ashrams and temples was prevalent.
In the early 20th century, modern yoga began to shift towards group instruction. Notably, T. Krishnamacharya, at the behest of the Maharaja of Mysore, started teaching yoga not only to the king but also to his family and staff, introducing group sequences.
Simultaneously, figures like Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda brought yoga to the West, where it gained popularity through the efforts of Krishnamacharya’s disciples, including Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar. These pioneers helped popularize group classes to reach a wider audience.
Moreover, societal movements such as the 1960s counterculture and the 1970s–80s fitness boom in the U.S. significantly contributed to the widespread adoption of group yoga classes. Today, while group lessons are common globally, the traditional one-on-one format is less mainstream.
Yet the essence of private yoga—the personal connection between teacher and student—has never truly disappeared. In many ways, this ancient spirit continues today, and ONE OM ONE’s online private yoga carries it forward—prioritizing personal feedback and individualized instruction that cannot be fully achieved through recordings or large group sessions.By leveraging modern technology, it seeks to recreate the timeless essence of the teacher–student relationship.
