How to be a good yoga student

This is my advice on how to be a good yoga student based on my observations. This is in no particular order and is not exhaustive:

1. Go to class prepared with a clean yoga mat, two blocks, and a belt if possible.
2. Put the world aside for the time you are in class. Phone off. Honor this time with yourself, it is deserved.
3. Learn to listen and be open to being guided. The mind can be very resistant causing anxiety and tension to manifest during the practice. Some think you have to be supple in body in order to even start yoga when in fact it is the mind that needs to be flexible.
4. Let the person guiding the class know if you are pregnant or have contraindications. Some poses will need to be modified if not avoided depending on your situation.
5. Be conscious of your breath, it is your best guide. When it is not calm, you are not calm. Take a moment, pause, listen, and then come back to the practice if it is appropriate.
6. Try the modifications that are proposed before diving headfirst into a posture. This is valid for beginners and not so beginners. The way to build a strong foundation is to go step by step, even revisiting basic postures to be prepared for more "advanced" variations. Just because you can do something does not mean it is good for you at the moment or is in fact functional.
The only way to know is to go step by step.
7. Do not concern yourself with other people's capabilities. Each persons proprioception, range of motion and strength are different. Not better or worse, different. Respect your asana journey and the know that it will be a long and interesting one if you go about it wisely and remain open to good instruction.
8. You are your own best teacher. If it does not feel good or causes pain, don't do what is proposed. There is always an alternative.
9. Not every teacher will guide the way you need to be guided. 
There are as many ways to teach as there are teachers. Find a teacher that works for you but don't give up on yoga.
10. Above all, don't give up on yourself.