Yoga in the workplace
Having worked in industry for over 12 years since I graduated in
1995, I have first-hand experience of the pressures and stresses
involved in the workplace.
I became increasingly aware during this
period of the negativity that permeates our workplace cultures, the lack
of job satisfaction people possess, a corresponding lack of enthusiasm
that people display for their work and also the reluctance of people to
embrace change. All of these factors mean that people get de-motivated
and companies don’t get the best out of their staff. It is my belief
that through practicing yoga in the workplace we can reverse these
negative patterns.
Yoga works on many levels, both physical and emotional. Through practicing yoga in your business staff will find they have more energy, higher levels of concentration, are calmer and less stressed and will enjoy their work more. As a company this will mean more motivated and more productive employees, who are present more of the time and this in turn will lead to a more productive and more profitable business.
Benefits to the Individual
With its blend of traditional yoga postures and sequences, meditation and breathing exercises, and unique Energy Block Release (EBR) sequences Dru Yoga provides many benefits for the individual.
Physical benefits
As everyone knows practising any form of exercise has a positive effect on the body, however dru yoga can also specifically help with:
- Flexibility and strength. Practicing yoga can lead to a stronger, fitter body, less likely to be affected by musculo-skeletal problems (especially back pain).
- Increased energy. Gently moving and stretching the whole body leads to optimum blood flow to every organ. This enables detoxification which in turn leads to increased energy, delays aging and creates a zest for life.
- Better immune system. Yoga is possibly the only activity which is designed to massage and stimulate all of the internal organs as well as work the muscles and joints of the body. This increases the health and activity of the whole body increasing its capacity to ward off and fight diseases.
- Improved posture. Yoga helps us to realign our bodies and free energy that is trapped in tense muscles and joints. This freeing of tension, often held in our body for years , has dramatic effects on posture, stress reduction and energy levels.
Mental and emotional benefits
Dru Yoga also brings several more subtle benefits to the individual:
- Higher self-esteem and confidence. We all know that how someone holds themselves physically contributes to how they come across to others. People who have good posture automatically appear confident and usually they will feel more confident as well.
- Calm, clear thinking. Breathing exercises and meditation help to calm the mind and emotions. Taking time out to clear the mind and focus on the breath unclutters the mind, giving it the space and time to focus on the task in hand, leading to clearer thinking and better concentration.
- Reduced Stress. Yoga provides a regular outlet for stress and a space to be calm. It also teaches individuals several easy techniques that can be put into practice anywhere (e.g. in meeting or at desk) to relieve stress in the moment.
Benefits to the Organisation
Happier, motivated, productive staff. Yoga leads to a better state of mind and body, therefore practitioners are more likely to go about their day in a calm, yet energised, assertive, yet considerate manner. This means that as employees they will be more efficient and effective, providing better value for money and increasing value to the company.
Improved workplace culture. If staff are less stressed, performing better and working better with each other the workplace culture will dramatically improve. The impact of this cannot be under-estimated: employees take more ownership and pride in their work, a strong team mentality is developed and the organisation as a whole is much more likely to achieve the targets it sets itself.
Lower staff turnover. Improving the culture of the workplace and giving something back to the employees leads to much improved retention of staff. With the huge costs of hiring and re-training this has a direct impact to the bottom line.
Reduced absenteeism. Increased health and happiness and reduced levels of stress means less days off work!
Incorporating yoga into YOUR organisation
Dru yoga is a low-impact, flowing form of yoga which is suitable for all ages and abilities. Classes can last from 20 minutes up to 1 ½ hrs, so can be scheduled before or after work, during lunch times or throughout the day. Yoga can also be a great team building activity so is ideal for corporate events. I provide all the equipment and expertise so all I need from you is a warm room.
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