In the early days of my practice, I stepped on my mat with many egos. I would seek out the most challenging classes on the schedule with the most demanding teachers, and in style, the more advanced option of the pose tended to be the only option for me.

Yes, I was a bit of a beast on my mat. I was fueled by stubborn hubris, which sometimes got me in trouble because I tried poses before I was ready. This sounds familiar? You can probably identify them in your yoga class, even if they weren’t your favorite animal.

These are three simple but challenging! The basics class is relatively easy, but it might be worth your time.

You can refine what you know (The Perfectionists might like this)

You may have been asking basic alignment questions, but they needed to be easier to answer. The average fundamental or foundational class will answer most of your questions. These poses are easier to understand because the students attempting them are most likely first-timers.

Did you know that your lower front ribs can be pulled into your body when you do Downward-Facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), or you can place your knee on the front of Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana 2), and your tailbone in Tree (Vrksasana)? You might need help to focus on these details in a more advanced class. However, you can see it in an introductory course.

There is also a benefit to keeping things simple. Even if you are proficient in three to four variations of a pose, that doesn’t mean you have to practice them all the time. Be open to trying out the essential modifications and even using the props! To truly grasp the mechanics of the pose, you must be available to try them out. This will make your practice more efficient.

You might learn something new (you never stop learning, really)

Yoga can take you to many different places. The teacher can often describe a movement or transition in a new way when I go to an introductory class.

Returning to the beginner’s mind means being open to new discoveries every day. You don’t have to be a pro at everything, no matter how long you’ve been doing it.

Yoga allows you to become a lifelong student.

You can also appreciate how far you have come (Gracefully, please!)

There’s always more to be learned in yoga and life. But there is something to learn from what you know and the lessons you have already learned. Do you remember that first downward-facing dog? Did you think you would never be able to do another vinyasa class after 20 minutes?

These moments will diminish as you continue to practice yoga. As you improve your technique, endurance, and other skills, you’ll find more opportunities to do it. This is easier to see in an introductory class. You may encounter poses that were difficult to master in the past. But, because you are dedicated and persistent, these poses become more accessible and understandable. Y

You can take an introductory class to test your mind and body. It will help you to prove that you can do anything you put your mind to.