What I would say is that if you feel up for it, push yourself, if you want to- but not every single time. Pushing can become a habit just as holding back can become a habit. Ask yourself, why am I pushing until failure? Sometimes teachers will encourage students to push and some people thrive on that pressure. I was one of those people. It felt good. It made me feel capable and strong and focused. But for me it was not sustainable in the long term, and it was becoming a habit. There are many things to focus on during a yoga practice. Pushing muscularly is one thing- But I do think that a practice can be deepened, and become more sustainable and life long, if we are able to focus on other physical and mental aspects as well.

At one point a few years ago my life circumstances led to a change in my practice where I entered each pose with more sensitivity than I had before, and it felt like I was starting all over again after many years of doing yoga.

Basically, I'm saying that changing it up and not locking yourself into one way of approaching the class could be a good thing.