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Difficulty & Intensity Guide

This comprehensive guide will help you find which series is right for you

Difficulty Levels

Difficulty refers to the level of skill and technique called for in a class.

Introductory

Introductory classes are designed for those who have never taken a yoga or fitness class before.

As a step below the beginner level, introductory classes move at a slow pace, take time to break down each pose and exercise, and are shorter in length to help you build endurance as you create a new movement routine. These classes are generally bodyweight only and contain modifications to help you feel safe and supported.

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Beginner

Beginner classes are geared toward those who have very little exposure to yoga or fitness.

These classes offer many modifications and detailed instructions on fundamental poses and exercises. Beginner classes are perfect for someone who is looking to start a regular yoga practice or fitness routine, though they’re also suitable for all levels to practice and brush up on the basics with alignment and form. You can also find mindfulness and wellness in this category.

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Moderate

As the next step up from beginner classes, moderate classes include higher-level modifications and less detailed instruction than you would find in a beginner class.

Moderate classes are well-suited for those who have previous yoga and fitness experience and a basic understanding of poses, exercises, and class structure. This is an excellent choice if you’re trying to maintain consistency in your routine and increase your strength, skills, and flexibility with a class geared toward all levels.

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Intermediate

Looking for a challenge? Intermediate classes tend to weave in more challenging poses and high-intensity exercises at a faster pace.

These classes will help build your strength, deepen your flexibility, and enhance your body awareness. For yoga classes, you can expect creative transitions, options for arm balances and inversions, and workout-inspired flows. For fitness classes, expect heavier weights, a higher sweat factor, and a quick pace that challenges your strength and cardio endurance.

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Advanced

These classes offer the perfect opportunity to explore your potential beyond what you’ll find in typical all-levels studio classes.

Expect advanced-level inversions, arm balances, and backbends; challenging peak pose variations; deep flexibility; strength work; and tricky transitions. You’ll find your edge while exploring a greater level of strength, control, and skill work. Advanced classes are designed for those with a strong and consistent yoga and fitness routine. These classes offer the perfect opportunity to explore your potential beyond what you’ll find in typical all-levels studio classes. Expect advanced-level inversions, arm balances, and backbends; challenging peak pose variations; deep flexibility; strength work; and tricky transitions. You’ll find your edge while exploring a greater level of strength, control, and skill work.

Read more Close
Introductory

Introductory classes are designed for those who have never taken a yoga or fitness class before.

As a step below the beginner level, introductory classes move at a slow pace, take time to break down each pose and exercise, and are shorter in length to help you build endurance as you create a new movement routine. These classes are generally bodyweight only and contain modifications to help you feel safe and supported.

Read more Close
Difficulty—Beginner—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Beginner

Beginner classes are geared toward those who have very little exposure to yoga or fitness.

These classes offer many modifications and detailed instructions on fundamental poses and exercises. Beginner classes are perfect for someone who is looking to start a regular yoga practice or fitness routine, though they’re also suitable for all levels to practice and brush up on the basics with alignment and form. You can also find mindfulness and wellness in this category.

Read more Close
Difficulty—Moderate—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Moderate

As the next step up from beginner classes, moderate classes include higher-level modifications and less detailed instruction than you would find in a beginner class.

Moderate classes are well-suited for those who have previous yoga and fitness experience and a basic understanding of poses, exercises, and class structure. This is an excellent choice if you’re trying to maintain consistency in your routine and increase your strength, skills, and flexibility with a class geared toward all levels.

Read more Close
Difficulty—Intermediate—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Intermediate

Looking for a challenge? Intermediate classes tend to weave in more challenging poses and high-intensity exercises at a faster pace.

These classes will help build your strength, deepen your flexibility, and enhance your body awareness. For yoga classes, you can expect creative transitions, options for arm balances and inversions, and workout-inspired flows. For fitness classes, expect heavier weights, a higher sweat factor, and a quick pace that challenges your strength and cardio endurance.

Read more Close
Difficulty—Advanced Copy Created with Sketch.
Advanced

These classes offer the perfect opportunity to explore your potential beyond what you’ll find in typical all-levels studio classes.

Expect advanced-level inversions, arm balances, and backbends; challenging peak pose variations; deep flexibility; strength work; and tricky transitions. You’ll find your edge while exploring a greater level of strength, control, and skill work. Advanced classes are designed for those with a strong and consistent yoga and fitness routine. These classes offer the perfect opportunity to explore your potential beyond what you’ll find in typical all-levels studio classes. Expect advanced-level inversions, arm balances, and backbends; challenging peak pose variations; deep flexibility; strength work; and tricky transitions. You’ll find your edge while exploring a greater level of strength, control, and skill work.

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Intensity Levels

Intensity is not the same as difficulty; it refers to the amount of exertion that a workout requires.

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Level 1
Ideal for those looking for a slower-paced, chill, or more restorative style of class. You’ll leave feeling calm, relaxed, and at ease.
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Level 2
Great for those who want to move at a slow to moderate pace. Classes within this level vary from feel-good flows to entry-level strength training. You’ll feel comfortably challenged and explore a more dynamic range of movement.
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Level 3
This is the best option for those looking to amp up the sweat factor. You’ll get your heart rate up, test your endurance, and challenge your limits with faster-paced movement and exercises.
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Level 4
These classes are designed to test your limits to the max. You’ll move at a fast pace to push yourself to your peak, increase your heart rate, and accelerate your breathing. Prepare to discover untapped levels of strength and endurance.
Intensity 1—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 1
Ideal for those looking for a slower-paced, chill, or more restorative style of class. You’ll leave feeling calm, relaxed, and at ease.
Intensity 2—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 2
Great for those who want to move at a slow to moderate pace. Classes within this level vary from feel-good flows to entry-level strength training. You’ll feel comfortably challenged and explore a more dynamic range of movement.
Intensity 3—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 3
This is the best option for those looking to amp up the sweat factor. You’ll get your heart rate up, test your endurance, and challenge your limits with faster-paced movement and exercises.
Intensity 4 Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 4
These classes are designed to test your limits to the max. You’ll move at a fast pace to push yourself to your peak, increase your heart rate, and accelerate your breathing. Prepare to discover untapped levels of strength and endurance.
Intensity Levels

Intensity is not the same as difficulty; it refers to the amount of exertion that a workout requires.

Intensity 1—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 1
Ideal for those looking for a slower-paced, chill, or more restorative style of class. You’ll leave feeling calm, relaxed, and at ease.
Intensity 2—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 2
Great for those who want to move at a slow to moderate pace. Classes within this level vary from feel-good flows to entry-level strength training. You’ll feel comfortably challenged and explore a more dynamic range of movement.
Intensity 3—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 3
This is the best option for those looking to amp up the sweat factor. You’ll get your heart rate up, test your endurance, and challenge your limits with faster-paced movement and exercises.
Intensity 4 Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 4
These classes are designed to test your limits to the max. You’ll move at a fast pace to push yourself to your peak, increase your heart rate, and accelerate your breathing. Prepare to discover untapped levels of strength and endurance.
Intensity 1—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 1
Ideal for those looking for a slower-paced, chill, or more restorative style of class. You’ll leave feeling calm, relaxed, and at ease.
Intensity 2—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 2
Great for those who want to move at a slow to moderate pace. Classes within this level vary from feel-good flows to entry-level strength training. You’ll feel comfortably challenged and explore a more dynamic range of movement.
Intensity 3—Outlined Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 3
This is the best option for those looking to amp up the sweat factor. You’ll get your heart rate up, test your endurance, and challenge your limits with faster-paced movement and exercises.
Intensity 4 Copy Created with Sketch.
Level 4
These classes are designed to test your limits to the max. You’ll move at a fast pace to push yourself to your peak, increase your heart rate, and accelerate your breathing. Prepare to discover untapped levels of strength and endurance.
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Single Class

How To: Shoulderstand
From How To: Shoulderstand by Josh Kramer

Total Run Time

Duration
10 min 51 sec

Difficulty

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Moderate

Intensity

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Intensity 2
Difficulty & Intensity Guide
Difficulty & Intensity Guide

body parts

equipment

Known as the queen of all yoga poses, Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana) is commonly found in yoga classes yet is often performed improperly or in an unsafe way. This tutorial breaks down Shoulderstand to help you learn how to safely enter and exit the inversion, refine your alignment, and learn modifications to avoid injury and stress.

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Josh Kramer’s Online Workout Videos on Alo Moves

Josh’s Bio

Josh is an international yoga teacher, who grew up in Zimbabwe. He spent his youth in New Zealand, where he developed his passion for yoga.

Today, his style melds a unique blend of Iyengar Yoga and Vinyasa flow. His emphasis on alignment and pose integrity allows students to safely deepen their practice and build full body strength and control – all while gaining a rich understanding of classical and nuanced yoga postures.

In addition to teaching and practicing yoga, Josh works as a humanitarian professional, supporting the implementation of programs in developing countries with the vision of achieving a sustainable world free from poverty and injustice. He has worked with countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.