Benefits of Yoga within the Workplace
Clients ask me very often about the benefits of the yoga sessions I offer within the workplace. The benefits of the different practices of yoga are so extensive that I always have a sense of diminishing the practice by naming some of its benefits. I have decided to start a series of posts explaining the different benefits of specific practices. I will start though by explaining in a more general way some of the benefits of these sessions for both the participant and the company itself.
BUT, WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is a practice originated in ancient India centuries BC. It is composed of 8 limbs, being the three limbs most practiced in the West: asana (physical practice), pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. It is not until the sixties that Yoga spread all around the West countries and it is becoming more and more popular as people are experiencing its benefits and scientific proof of these benefits are being given by our physicians.
It consists in different easy techniques which aim is to still the mind to be fully present in each moment.
Yoga means union. As such, the 8 limbs of yoga are connected in a way that practicing one of limbs the other 7 will start to develop as well. This makes this practice extraordinarily enriching for body, mind and spirit.
CAN YOU NAME SOME BENEFITS FOR BOTH THE PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY?
1. Reduction of staff turnover
2. Reduction of absenteeism
3. Increase of motivation and satisfaction
4. Increase of productivity and performance
5. Improvement in Corporate/Brand image as a company that cares for its employees’ well- being
6. Increase of employees’ commitment and loyalty
7. Better capacity to handle stressful situations
8. More clarity to make decisions
9. Improvement of creativity skills to solve problems
10. Able to keep a balanced and focused mind in challenging situations
11. Create and maintain healthy habits in the workplace
12. Access to a higher level of calm and stability
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE BENFITS OF THE MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION SESSIONS?
The mindfulness and meditation sessions are based on the fact that the brain has a property of neuroplasticity. Both the brain and the nervous system can change structurally and functionally under the influence of the signals for the environment. Learning and memory are examples of plasticity. Implicitly it follows that meditators are able to change some neural paths in the brain through meditation, and this can result in a dramatic change in your outlook on life events. This profound result of sustained practice, known for many centuries to meditation practitioners, has been confirmed by scientific studies in the last two decades.
The sessions are designed to explore with a practical approach how stress works and how we can learn to respond to any given situation instead of reacting to it. Special emphasis will be on identify stressors and learn how to work with them, physical and emotional stress as well as role stress and time pressure.
But, how does this relate to the workplace?
The practice of meditation has scientifically proved to increase the implication and commitment level in the workplace and reduce the illness levels.
But, what do my team get from it?
Build resilience. Multiple studies have proved that it has the potential to reduce anxiety.
Improve Emotional Intelligence. An investigation with brain images has proved that it helps to enforce the ability to regulate the emotions.
Improve of creativity. We really reach to our biggest inspirations when we are in a mental state of meditation and relaxation.
Improve relationships. It helps to improve mood and increase the feeling of connexion with others making you a more compassionate person. Therefore improving empathy and team results.
Increase focus. Different studies have proved that our mind tends to wander 50% of the time. On top of that we have all the interruptions at work, text messages, WhatsApp, phone, email... The practice of meditation helps to keep your focus and even to improve your memory.
WHAT ABOUT YOGA FOR VIRTUAL AND/OR LIFE EVENTS?
I like to call these sessions ‘Business Yoga’ sessions as they are perfect for any kind of corporate events. My 20 years of experience organizing corporate events all around the world are giving the skills to design these sessions specifically for each group. Taking into consideration factors such as: size and background of the group, nationality, purpose of the event, what they did before and what they will do after the session, if the participants know each other, etc. I will design a session to match that particular and special group.
How it works
30 minutes sessions, no yoga clothes or yoga mats are needed. A chair and connection to internet (if virtual) is enough! The sessions are suitable for everyone regardless the level of fitness. These sessions are the best break between meetings for your delegates, employees and clients or the best way to start or finish your day at work.
What are these sessions designed for?
Companies from any field, hotels, venues, conference centres and conference/events’ organizers.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST PRACTICE FOR MY TEAM?
The easiest way it to book a free consultation. We can discuss your team’s needs in details and I will design a tailor made program for you.
For more details about the different sessions you can offer to your team, please visit this section in my website. All the sessions can be tailor made though, so do not hesitate to get in touch!