THE CLASSES: range from mild to spicy (my husband's a former yoga teacher and he says after 2020,…read moresome studios avoid beginner/intermediate/advanced terminology to not sound like crazy Scientologists I guess). Mild is great if your body is tight/in recovery, it's been a rough day, or you just want permission to take it easy. Medium would require more effort but it doesn't cause serious regrets. Spicy is all in, keep up, sweat like crazy, and maybe re-evaluate your choice to come. I take classes to meet my body where it is that day; that is, I don't "only" do spicy ones to "get fit." So my week consists of Mild to Spicy to have "rest" days.
The schedule is constantly changing and I haven't taken every class/instructor, so here's how I'd categorize the ones I've attended:
* = my repeats/try to attend when I can
vp = very popular/crowded
Mild: Dominique* (vp; you might snore) or any restorative/yin, Vickie*, Baxter (vp), Jill*
Mild/Medium: Deshauna*, Yoko* (vp), Margi* (vp), Ellen, Richard (vp)
Medium: Andrea, Leslie, Nichol*, Monica
Medium/Spicy: Annie (vp), Kim (the lovely owner!)
Spicy: Jody* (vp), Gaby (vp), Jacqui, Rose, Ann Thu*
Want to take classes from the "original" group who worked alongside Rodney Yee (yes, that guy)? It's Yoko, Richard, and Annie (I think?) when this was previously Piedmont Yoga Studio.
Want adjustments? It depends on class size and the instructor. Yoko, Margi, Ann Thu and Jody do so when they can. I've seen some some students get upset when instructors tell them how to correct the pose. It's a no-win situation. If you're new to crowded classes, be in the 2nd row where you can see better.
The only suggestion I have is having a whiteboard/display where instructors can write down the suggested props. Or maybe a picture of each prop with a number next to it and write it down in the Zoom chat. Sometimes an instructor repeats the prop list 5+ times as folks trickle in online/in person.
TIPS: Yoga's very subjective--try a lot of studios until you find one you like in terms of the space, students, instructors, and the parking/commute. Go where you feel comfortable and want to return, it helps you maintain momentum. If it's your very first time at any studio, show up early to sign waivers!
FWIW: I started yoga after chemo and I've stuck with it during recovery, relapse, remission, parenthood, severe burnout, and now perimenopause. After 20 years, I still can't do handstands/headstands and there are some poses I just can't do anymore. I've been with this studio for 10+ years and 5+ years for my husband.