Updated June 23, 2014.

One of the things we work on in yoga is getting rid of the idea that there is a logical progression in our physical practices. As anyone who has done yoga for a while knows, it's often one step forward, two (or three, or more) steps back. We try to let go of expectations, comparisons, and hierarchies on the mat so that we can begin to do the same off the mat. So why do we insist on clinging to the idea that a home practice is superior to a practice done in class?

As with many things in life, whatever works for you and gets you on your mat without feeling guilty is the right practice. Deciding whether to do yoga at home or in a class setting varies for beginning and advanced students, so let's take a closer look.

Home Practice Issues for Beginners

Way back when there wasn't a yoga studio on every street corner, it was very common for people to have their first yoga experiences from books or, eventually, videos. Many people still do start at home for a variety of reasons, including lack of access to classes, budget constraints, or self-consciousness about doing yoga in public. Whatever gets you started is great, but eventually, try to check out some yoga classes. Why? Well, even though most group yoga classes are a far cry from the one-on-one guru/student model of old, there is still something very powerful about learning in a hands-on way from an experienced teacher. When you are alone in your living room, it's very difficult at first to know if the shapes you are making with your body closely mimic the ones on your screen or not.

There is no substitute for a hands-on adjustment or demonstration by a teacher. If you are not able to do certain poses, a teacher can offer you variations, modifications, and props in a way that a book cannot.

I always urge people who are new to yoga to take classes whenever possible. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find one you like, but if you persevere there really is something out there for everyone. And if you take a few classes and then decide it's not for you, that's ok too. You'll return to your home practice with a little more experience and body awareness than you had before. If you can only afford an occasional class, that's cool too. 

Beyond Beginners

After you've been practicing for a while and feel very comfortable with basic alignment principles, where you do yoga really comes down to personal preference. If you love the convenience of being able to practice on your own schedule in your own space, a home practice will work best for you. There are an abundance of resources for home practitioners these days that go way beyond owning a few DVDs. You can also begin to sequence your own practices, either developing a daily routine or allowing something different to happen each time you roll out or mat in response to what your body wants. Many online services offer near constant updates and classroom settings, making it almost like being at the studio. Almost, because there will always be people who thrive on the community aspects of regularly going to a yoga studio, where teachers and other students support and encourage each other and everybody knows your name, like Cheers without the bar. Some people like to do a little of both. It's all good.

Advanced

When you get to a place in your practice where you might become a teacher, this expectation arises that you should cultivate a rigorous home practice or else you're not qualified to teach others. And I reject that premise. Haven't we learned not to project our experience onto another person? Practicing alone may offer something different from a group class, but why insist that the former is superior to the latter? I'm for the elimination of guilt and the idea that one "should" do yoga any other way than what works for you right now.