29 Jul WHAT’S THE POINT OF YOGA AT WORK?

Yoga is becoming increasingly popular at work and no wonder as the results speak for themselves.
Many large companies such as Apple, Nike and Google offer yoga to their staff.
I’ve taught yoga to large international companies, small independents with just 4 employees and everything in between.

Having taught yoga in the workplace for the last few years the feedback I get says it all.
“I look forward to the class all week” comes up a lot. How good is that? Workplace Yoga means people look forward to coming to work!
Here are 8 good reasons to have a yoga class at work but there are many more!
1.Stress
Yoga is an effective way to reduce stress. Stress is the cause of many sick days and loss of productivity. Yoga teaches us how we can manage stress better. Deep breathing exercises accompanied by mindful movement activate the body’s parasympathetic system. This is much healthier state for us to be in.
2.Yoga keeps giving
The effects of the class don’t finish when you roll up your mat. Yoga makes us aware of our posture, how we breathe and how we sit at our desk and how we move for the rest of the day. A lunchtime class means being more alert and focused and feeling happier and more positive. We carry that feeling into the outside world and we are better at communicating with customers. Less stressed employees have a happier home life and more positive interactions with family and friends.
3.RSI and Pain
Yoga releases the neck, back and wrist tension caused by tapping away at a keyboard all day. In fact, whatever your job regular yoga classes can reset the body and undo negative postural habits and in turn prevent injury (please note, this cannot be achieved by following a yoga DVD, you need a teacher to guide you)
4.Productivity
A lunchtime yoga class ensures we are thinking clearly, re-energised and focus for the afternoon.
We feel more positive and more motivated. Procrastination, conflicts etc. waste so much time at work. Even though I spend at least 90 minutes a day on my yoga practice I recoup that time with increased productivity, focus and feeling more motivated, energised and positive about the day ahead of me. Even 15 minutes of yoga a day can make a big difference.
This is exactly why so many business leaders have a daily yoga practice and why so many companies are providing classes at work.
5.Morale and Team building
Doing something positive with your colleagues ensures you feel good and gives you some common ground with your colleugues.
Some of the staff at one corporate class I teach set up a yoga group at work and practice together outside of class. Friendships have been forged and they encourage each other
6.Staff retention and less sick days
If we are not getting sick at work through stress and suffering all of the related health issues sick days are reduced. If we experience something positive at work, we feel good about being there.
7.Let’s be reasonable
With regular practice, the mindful movements, breathing, and relaxation techniques practiced in yoga result in more reasoned thinking.
This means less reactionary and emotionally charged behaviour. We are better at self-regulation and less likely to create unnecessary conflict.
8.Increased energy and movement
whilst a dynamic yoga class is cardiovascular and gives our muscles a work-out it is much more than a workout! We feel energised but calm.
One well-documented effect of yoga is how it helps us sleep. Yoga helps you learn how to switch off.
I remember suffering from insomnia when I worked in an office.
I was on high alert all day in a room with fluorescent lighting, staring at a bright screen for hours. Hardly conducive to switching off in the evening! Once you learn some simple stretches and breathing techniques insomnia is a thing of the past.
Our bodies were designed to move. A yoga class ensures all of our joints work through their full range of movement keeping us young, supple and healthy and studies have shown that people who take up yoga are more likely to take up other physical activities. It reminds us of the joy of movement and being connected with our bodies.
This is essential in today’s sedentary world and could be a vital tool in combating obesity.