Beginnings Matter--How We Start a Yoga Class and How We Start Anything

How you begin a yoga class is often how you begin everything else—a new year, a new day, or a new chapter in life.

In this episode, MJ reflects on why beginnings matter and how the first moments of a yoga class can set the tone for presence, safety, curiosity, and ease. Drawing from years of teaching experience, she explores how time of day, energy in the room, and nervous system awareness all shape the way we begin.

You’ll also hear a brief, practical tutorial on how to introduce Ujjayi breath to students—one breath at a time—so it feels accessible, supportive, and adaptable rather than forced or confusing.

This episode isn’t about trying harder or doing more. It’s about beginning where you are and letting the practice meet you there.

What You’ll Learn

• Why the beginning of a yoga class matters more than we think
• How morning and evening classes call for different kinds of openings
• How to hold space for groups without overloading students with choices
• A simple way to teach Ujjayi breathing that students can explore and adapt
• How lessons from the mat quietly transfer into everyday life

About Ujjayi Breath

Ujjayi (oo-JAH-yee) is a Sanskrit term often translated as “victorious uprising” or “victorious breath.”
It’s commonly described as a slow, steady breath through the nose with a gentle, ocean-like sound—created by softly narrowing the back of the throat.

In this episode, MJ shares an approachable way to introduce Ujjayi breath so students can explore it at their own pace and make it work for their bodies and nervous systems.