Set up private sessions
Create a private session type in Settings, Passes and memberships, give teachers that session type and their availability, then check the rules in Private session settings. Private sessions start on the Starter plan.
How private sessions work
A member asks for a session with a teacher at a free time, at the studio or at an address they give. They save a card but are not charged. The studio and the teacher both approve, then the card is charged and the session is confirmed. One person is a private session; two or more is a group session paid by the person who books.
Passes and memberships never pay for private sessions: each one is paid on its own. Your Stripe account must be connected, because online requests always save a card. Private sessions start on the Starter plan.
1. Create a private session type
- Open Settings, Passes and memberships and find the Private sessions section.
- Select New private session type.
- Fill in the name and description, the Base price (what person 1 pays, tax included) and the Length in minutes (15 to 480).
- Set Start times every: free times are offered on this grid inside the teacher’s availability (30 minutes to start).
- Under Price for a group, choose Same price for any group or Base price plus each extra person.
- Under Where, allow the studio, the member’s address, or both. Add the Area you travel to if you go to members, and tick Rooms at the studio if only some rooms suit (none ticked means any free room).
- Keep Members can request online on, or turn it off so only staff create these sessions.
2. Give teachers the session type
Open Settings, Studio availability, pick the teacher, tick the session type under Session types and add their weekly windows. Only teachers with the session type and availability are offered to members.
3. Check the rules
Open Settings, Private session settings. Each rule starts at the value elastudio recommends:
- Choosing the teacher: The member picks the teacher, or elastudio assigns a teacher (the teacher with the fewest sessions that week gets it).
- Minimum notice, in hours: 24. Booking ahead, in days: 60.
- Time to approve, in hours: 12. Time to pay after a failed charge, in hours: 24.
- Free cancellation until, hours before: 24.
- Most people in one session: 15.
- Travel time before, in minutes and Travel time after, in minutes: 30 each.
Note: Changes apply to new requests only. Requests already made keep their deadlines and price.
Members then find Private sessions on your studio’s pages and in the booking embed.
Updated October 13, 2026