WHERE do you train?

Of course you can practice anywhere, anytime, (in line at the grocery store is a great place for Tadasana!), but where you train and practice can influence the content and approach of instruction.

In a yoga specific studio or ashram, the specificity of the classes is usually very precise.  Beginning, ongoing, intermediate, advanced, prenatal, post natal, teacher intensives, only admit students that have proven themselves at those levels.  If you have studied in the same place continuously, then it will be easy to place yourself in the correct class.  If you are looking at new locations, an intermediate class may not be at the same level you are used to.  It may be more advanced, or less strenuous.  But a beginner would not think to attend advanced or teacher's intensive

When attending a class in a fitness center, the lines of demarcation are more tenuous.  From an instructors point of view, the level can vary from some absolute beginners (that day!) to ongoing students with 10 years experience.  It is a challenge to teach with such diverse levels of expertise.  New students will not have the system in place to translate instruction into movement. This of course is acquired through practice and consistency.  The ongoing students need a bit of a challenge not only to keep interest up, but also for improvement and understanding of the finer nuances of asanas.

It is a different challenge from the yoga specific locations, but is certainly doable.  If the basics (warriors, triangles, sun salutations etc) are explained in detail, the ongoing student will remember to apply them. The newer students will hear  instructions, see movements, apply the grosser adjustments and gradually, through practice and repetition (of movement and verbal details) start to integrate the finer nuances.  An instructor has to keep an close eye on new students of course, to prevent injury and bad habits. The ongoing students, who, like everyone else who practices, can be remiss on the details, need reinforcement.

It may appear to be an imbalanced situation, but it can be integrated and be a good experience for the new and ongoing student.  It just needs attention, making sure all students are working at whatever level they may be,  and the intention of bringing information in consistent and easily understood presentation.  Happy practice!