if the teacher / instructor is good, then it will be as much about the meditative aspects as it is about the poses. if it is run that way where it is emphasized to listen to one's body, do what one can, modify poses to suit one's abilities, then it could be fine. if its more about "competition", then its not a very good yoga class anyway, goes against the original purpose of yoga.

when i started it, we had a very spiritual instructor, so much so, that she went to india. the next instructor was not very spiritual at all, the class had a totally different feel, and so after a short time, i stopped going to the class, and just continued the practice at home.

now i kind of mix yoga plus PT exercises, many similar anyway, do what i can, avoid things i can't do. like the bridge pose always irritated my SI, so we stopped doing that. would never think of doing a head stand, too much pressure on the neck, but a good shoulder stand really stretches my neck in ways nothing else, not even traction can do. and the shoulder stand strengthens all my back muscles in a totally nonaggressive way. its my favorite pose. the spinal twist is another good stretch, even if i can't twist very far.

i think you should check out a class. you can always stop going if it doesn't feel right for you.


sue

Spondyloarthropathy, HLAB27 negative
Humira (still methylprednisone for flares, just not as often. Aleve if needed, rarely.)
LDN/zanaflex/flector patches over SI/ice
vits C, D. probiotics. hyaluronic acid. CoQ, Mg, Ca, K.
chiro
walk, bike
no dairy (casein sensitivity), limited eggs, limited yeast (bread)