20/01/2026
If you've been to any of my classes, you may have noticed that we nearly always start by lying down, breathing, doing very little… and there’s a reason for that.
Most of us arrive at yoga straight from life. Work mode, decision fatigue, busy traffic. If I asked you to stand up and get moving straight away, your body would still be in “go, go, go” mode, even if you really want to relax.
Starting on the floor, with the breath, tells your nervous system it’s safe. Slow, steady breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps switch you from the stress response (fight or flight) into rest and digest. That’s when your body can actually benefit from the practice rather than just powering through it.
For hormonal women especially, this matters. Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone can make the nervous system more sensitive. Stress hormones like cortisol rise more easily and stay in the body longer. A gentle start can help lower cortisol, steady the nervous system, and create the conditions for better balance, sleep, mood and energy.
Those first few minutes aren’t about exercise / movement. They’re about leaving your busy day, arriving in your body, and moving from your head into the present moment. From there, gentle stretches your stressed body can appreciate, your muscles respond better, and the whole practice feels more supportive rather than exhausting.
It might look simple, but it’s very intentional. Calm first. Movement second. That’s where the magic actually happens.