Bernie, is the piece you wrote on Functional Yoga http://www.yinyoga.com/newsletter17_suzee_cues.php included in The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga? I didn't see it in the index. If not, I'd strongly encourage you to include it in the next edition. The information is key for new students, and the table is immensely useful in planning a sequence.
This was one of the most important essays I've read which reassured me that I would be ok if I discontinue yoga classes and rely on self teaching and individual practice. One of the questions I had was, if I only practice yoga at home, how would I know if I'm doing it wrong? The answer is pain. If I don't feel pain, it's not important if I'm not, in anyone's opinion, "perfectly aligned," as long as I feel a good stress. I know I'm not going to look like anyone in a yoga photo. I just started a couple of weeks ago.
It was also reassuring to understand that it's ok to modify a pose for my own comfort because of the differences in individual musculoskeletal structures. As an example, I'd always felt unbalanced in Mountain Pose when I stood with feet touching, as is instructed by some teachers. It felt like I was going to tip over. It feels more natural and secure to me to have my feet hip distance apart.
Functional Yoga is an important concept, especially for those who are just starting. Thanks for writing it!