Today we’d like to introduce you to Meaghan Alvarado.
Hi Meaghan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first tried yoga back in 2009, and while it didn’t become a consistent part of my life right away, I kept coming back to it. Over time, my mat became a safe place where I could process, breathe, and heal. Yoga helped me move through a season of grief after losing my grandparents, and ultimately, it helped me become a more grounded, compassionate human. A few years later, I got more consistent with my practice and eventually enrolled in yoga teacher training in 2015.
Even before I finished my 200-hour certification, I knew I didn’t want to teach in a traditional studio setting and started giving one-on-ones to friends at the beach. As someone who used to be pretty shy, I remembered how overwhelming it felt to walk into a class full of strangers. I knew I wanted to create space for people to practice in a way that felt personal, welcoming, and low-pressure. That’s what led me to focus on private yoga and small group sessions from the start.
I completed my Master Yoga Teacher Certification in 2019, with over 500 hours of training in the Kripalu tradition at Discovery Yoga in St. Augustine. Kripalu yoga is especially inviting as it meets people where they are and honors every body. That same year, I launched Private Yoga St. Augustine as a way to offer supportive, custom sessions for individuals, friends, families, and those celebrating something special.
I originally moved to Florida from Maryland in 2004 to attend Flagler College, met my husband here, and never left. St. Augustine has become home in every sense of the word and I’m so grateful I get to share this place and this practice with others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges was believing in myself as a “private yoga teacher.” I actually began working on the idea for Private Yoga St. Augustine in 2016, but I didn’t launch it until 2019 after completing my Master Yoga Teacher certification. At the time, I didn’t feel confident enough in my skills to really put myself out there, even though I knew this was the direction I wanted to go. It took time, teaching tons of classes in local studios and yoga teacher training galore, to get comfortable claiming my space as a private yoga teacher. Now, I am not only confident teaching groups, but working one-on-one with those starting to move their body again after a period of inactivity, healing, and working on their goals—body and mind.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Private Yoga St. Augustine offers fun, relaxing, and personalized group and individual yoga sessions. Whether you’re in St. Augustine for a bachelorette party, girls’ weekend, family vacation, or just looking for something fun and memorable to do while in town, a private beach yoga class will help you slow down, connect with your body, and enjoy the moment.
Private group classes are beginner-friendly, and our individual sessions are customized to help you reach your goals. We bring the yoga to you at the beach or your place in Northeast Florida.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Recently, I’ve started bringing in other teachers to help with Private Yoga St. Augustine, which has been both exciting and a little surreal. These are women I’ve looked up to and taken classes from over the last several years, and it feels really special to share this experience with them. It’s important to me that anyone who teaches under the P.Y.S.A. name brings the same warmth and presence to each session.
I’ve been lucky to study with many incredible teachers over the years, but none more impactful than Deva Parnell, who led my training at Discovery Yoga. Her guidance and the healing I experienced during that time continue to influence how I teach and hold space for others.
One of the collaborations I’m most proud of is with Ancient City Bonsai, the bonsai nursery and garden my husband and I are building together. We’ve created a peaceful studio space that overlooks the garden through a 16-foot sliding glass door. It’s a tranquil spot that offers something totally different from the beach but just as beautiful and connected to nature. We’ll be opening later in 2025, and I can’t wait to start offering one-on-ones, private small-group sessions, and workshops there!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.privateyogastaugustine.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/privateyogastaug
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privateyogasta
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghanalvarado/
