Welcome to Sangha Yoga - Downtown Kalamazoo's Center for Yoga, Meditation & Movement

Private Yoga & Coaching Sessions

Private Yoga FAQ's

Q: What can Private Yoga Provide?
Personal Training - Answers to questions - Refined alignment in poses- Customized home practices - Yoga Therapy - Relaxation - Meditation - Spiritual Guidance

Q: Who are Private Yoga Sessions For?
Anyone seeking to begin or deepen a yoga practice - Wanting a home practice - Working with Chronic Pain - Obesity - Pregnancy - Disability - Stress - Anxiety - Depression - Sleep Trouble - Illness... etc.

Q: What Happens in a Private Lesson?
One on one instruction leads to the best understanding of yoga practice. We explore how to safely and effectively practice yoga for our individual needs. Learn which exercises and practices are most useful and which ones to avoid. - Couples can learn tools to care for their own needs, and find new ways to comfort, relieve, and support each other.

Q: Why are Private Sessions Recommended for Herniated or Ruptured Spinal Disks?
Many doctors are suggesting yoga to people with disk issues. Yoga can be very therapeutic and provide back pain relief. However, certain postures offered in a group class setting could also aggravate disk conditions. At Sangha Yoga, safety is our first priority. With a little private coaching, someone with a disk issue can learn how to practice yoga safely alone or in a group class. In just one private session, a student can gain a basic understanding of which postures are most useful to their condition, which ones to avoid, and which ones to approach in a modified form.

Q: Why are Private Yoga Sessions Recommended for Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is such an individual experience that it deserves individual attention and support. This personal guidance empowers the "mother to be" to practice at home alone or with a partner safely. She can then attend ANY regular group yoga class at her leisure with the understanding of how to take care of herself by modifying postures to avoid strain or injury to the baby.

Q: What do I Bring to a Private Yoga Session? - What do I Wear? - How do I Prepare?
There is nothing you need to do to prepare for your private session. If you have a spinal condition like scoliosis and want to bring a your X-rays or MRI report for the instructor to review.- Wear clothing that is comfortable and will stretch and move with your body. You are encouraged to bring a notebook and pen.

Coaching FAQ's

Q: What is a "Coaching Session" with Karina?
Coaching sessions are primarily non-movement based sessions. These confidential conversations with Karina are an opportunity for clients to explore what they want out of life and what might be limiting them from already having it. Karina creates a safe and compassionate environment where one can investigate his or her deepest heart's deepest desires, as well as explore how to overcome personal obstacles like self defeating believes and behaviors. These self inquiry sessions often include the "Parts Work" process. Stress management techniques like gentle breathing and systematic relaxation might also be offered in coaching sessions. Sometimes, some suggested "homework" will be given such as a lifestyle change or a meditation technique for the client to practice at home.

Q: Who are Coaching Sessions For?
Theses session are for people who want to explore yoga as a lifestyle, are interested in the psycho-spiritual dimensions of yoga, are seeking of stress management, or are looking for an alternative to traditional psychotherapy. These session can support people who are coping with difficult times, seeking change, needing to build self confidence, or claim self worth or personal empowerment.

Q: What is Mantra & Mantra Initiation?
Similarly to the way acupuncture effects the subtle meridians of the body, mantra effects us via sound waves and vibration. A personal mantra is a sound or series of sounds used to: overcome obstacles- connect with healing energy - move through hard times- or a variety of other needs of the soul. The practice of most sanskrit mantras is only effective when the mantra is "unlocked" by a qualified teacher. In mantra initiation, the teacher meditates on the student's needs and then unlocks the most appropriate mantra to awaken that person's highest potential.

Pricing, Scheduling & Cancellation

Q: How Much to Private Sessions Cost?
Private yoga sessions are priced similarly to other forms of one-on-one healthcare services like .massage therapy, acupuncture, counseling or physical therapy. Hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in training are spent by the teacher in order be able to offer this comprehensive service. See pricing box below.

Q: How & When can I Schedule a Private Session at Sangha Yoga?
Review the appointment times and instructor info below. Then email either Karina or Kara to set up an appointment. Sessions are usually scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance. Participants must be 12 years or older.

Q: Is There a Cancellation Policy? - Please note that this policy is in effect.
Yes. Since the instructor only earns a wage if an appointment can be filled, Sangha Yoga reserves the right to charge a $25 fee for appointments cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time. A "no call no show" can result in a a full payment fee.

Primary Sessions
Initial Consultation (Extended Session)	$100	90 min.	A 90 minute intake session is required once for new clients.
Regular Private Yoga Session or Coaching Session	$80	60 - 75 min.	Price of a 60 min. session (after Initial Consultation)
Personal Coaching Package save $20	$300	Price for 4 Regular Private Sessions
Mini Personal Training Session	$45	30 min.	Price of a 30 minute session (after Initial Consultation) - Kara Aubin only
Mini Training Package initial consultation is only $25	$250	One, 75 minute Initial Consultation Five, 30 minute Mini Personal Training Sessions - Kara Aubin only
Other Types of Sessions
Pre-Natal Yoga Session	$85	90 min.	No Initial Consultation Required - Karina Mirsky or Chelsie Downs
Couples Session	$100	90 min.	No Initial Consultation Required - Karina Mirsky only
Small Private Group Session	$125	90 min.	On site at Sangha Yoga - up to 5 participants
Stress Management Seminars or Corporate Day Retreats see Corporate Accounts	$150 for first 90 min, $75 each additional hour	90 min. minimum	In your Kalamazoo area home or office -some restrictions apply

Distance Coaching

Distance Sessions
Karina offers personal coaching, supervision for yoga teachers, spiritual guidance, and academic interviews at a distance for anyone who can not meet with her in person. Many people enjoy the working with Karina in the privacy of their own home or office. Spiritual seekers, heath care professionals, yoga studio owners, yoga students, and yoga teachers from around the world find great benefit in this service.

Coaching by Phone or Video Chat
Karina is available by phone, skype, or gmail video chat. Distance Coaching sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes long. Scheduling is done on Eastern Standard Time.

Scheduling & Payment
Karina schedules these appointments in her regular appointment times and on some weekends. If you would like to set up a Distance Session, please email Karina to schedule. After you schedule your session(s), you can pay using the PayPal button below. Payments must be made 48 hours before the scheduled consultation.

Schedule with Our Staff

Karina Ayn Mirsky MA, ERYT

Karina is the Director of Sangha Yoga. She holds a MA in East/West Psychology, and is a senior teacher and teacher trainer of Rod Stryker's ParaYoga. Karina specializes in the unique holistic needs of individuals. Her therapeutic approach to yoga practice addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of students lives. Karina's graduate studies aimed at fusing Classical Yoga Psychology with "Parts Work." a process based on Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Her own challenging life experiences, including surviving lymphatic cancer in 2003, make her a deeply compassionate and empathetic guide. Karina is more than a yoga teacher, she is a Personal Transformation Coach. For more info on Karina click here

Make an Appointment email Karina (an assistant may respond to your email)

Karina is currently scheduling sessions at the following times:

Currently Scheduling	March 14 - April 4
Wednesdays	(occasional 10am), 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm
Thursdays	(4pm currently filled), 5:15pm, 6:45pm
Fridays	11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5:15pm
Coaching by Phone If you are unable to meet with Karina in person, and would like to set up a session on the phone, please email her to schedule a time. - After you schedule your phone session(s), you can pay using PayPal. Payments must be made 48 hours before the scheduled consultation. Karina is available by phone, skype, or gmail video chat. (See Distance Coaching above)
January 2012: Client Notes Note to New Clients Karina is at her maximum client load and is currently not accepting new clients. She will start taking new clients again in the Fall of 2012. Feel free to email her to be put on a waiting list. Note to Current Clients Please note that the cancellation policy is in effect in 2012. Cancellations made within 24 hours will be subject to a $25 fee. No call no show's will result in the full appointment fee.

Kara Aubin, RYT

Kara Aubin has been studying the art and science of yoga since 1998. She is a leading teacher at Sangha Yoga hosting both early morning classes and the popular Pure Basics series. She is also Karina's primary teaching assistant and substitute. Kara specializes in working with beginning yoga students, athletes, and busy professionals. She can customize home routines for clients or provide personal training sessions. Kara thrives on helping people achive what they CAN DO in yoga practice. She loves seeing the impact of yoga in people's lives. More on Kara, here.

Make an Appointment: email Kara

Kara offers both 60 minute full private sessions and 30 minute personal training sessions. Kara is currently scheduling private sessions at Sangha Yoga on: