YOGA @ WORK

With business costs skyrocketing and profits dwindling, more employers are being forced to look closer and closer at their bottom lines. Unfortunately for many, that bottom line has meant cutting back on healthcare benefits, or worse, not offering healthcare coverage at all.

What does this ultimately mean? It means stressed out, unhealthy employees whos minds won’t be focused on the tasks at hand, but rather, the worry about what to do should an illness occur.

The wiser approach is the one being taken by more and more companies around the world, such as Intel, Hewlett Packard, Nike, Microsoft and others who are respopnding to the economic changes by investing in PREVENTION and WELLNESS.

 

Statistics show that when employees are physically and emotionally healthy, they:

• stay with their employer longer, which means less turnover and lower HR costs
• are motivated to be productive
• are invested in the success of the company
• and are less apt to miss days from work

 

YOGA @ Work will help your employees to:

• Reduce workplace stress inherent with meeting deadlines, schedules and company goals. Yoga stimulates the branch of the nervous system that lowers the levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn lowers the blood pressure and heart rate;

• Improve their body alignment. Long periods at desks and computers lead to eye strain and repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Yoga helps to improve the posture while sitting and standing, which in turn reduces the risk of back, neck, and wrist related injuries;

• Control body weight. Yoga is a gentle style of movement, suitable for any age and any body type. Movement is the first step to preventing obesity, which medical evidence has proven to be linked to the development of hypertension, diabetes, and cancer;

• Make healthy eating choices. Yoga encourages healthy eating habits and provides greater awareness of those foods which slow us down and make us irritable and unable to focus;

• Be present. Yoga incorporates simple breath awareness excercises which will help your employees to create mind-body health, greater equanimity and emotional balance.

 

FAQ’s

Consistency and commitment are key to achieving healthy outcomes and measurable results. We structure our classes in convenient 45 minute to 1 hour formats, making it easy to incorporate yoga into the daily or even weekly work schedule. We ask that sessions be scheduled in blocks of six to eight weeks at a time.

1. My company is small and we don’t have a large building like Microsoft or IBM. Would it still be worthwhile?

Absolutely. Companies both large and small are offering yoga to their employees. Yoga requires very little equipment so we can hold classes in any conference room or meeting space. All that is required is open space with sufficient lighting. We can come to your office to evaluate your space prior to arranging the program, at no cost to you.

2. Some of my employees go to the gym after work. Why not just take yoga there ?

Health educators agree that the biggest challenge people face when seeking to incorporate a fitness or movement program into their lives is consistency. Getting to the gym can often be complicated by traffic, last minute deadlines and unexpected urgencies just as you’re on your way out of the door. With yoga in the workplace, you can help employees maintain the kind of motivation and consistency necessary for success. Also, the style of yoga that we teach — Integral Yoga — incorporates meditation, breath work, and other techniques that are especially useful in reducing workplace stress.

3. Do we have to sign a long term contract?

Not at all. We ask for a commitment of at least 8 weeks, which, in our experience, is the time that it takes for most employees to notice the difference that yoga can make. Employees are asked to give their written feedback at the end of each 8 week period so that you can determine if you’d like to continue the program.

4. What equipment do we need?

None. We provide the mats, blocks and belts needed to ensure that your emplyees have the tools to learn and practice yoga in a safe manner.

5. What time can you offer the classes?

Classes are flexible. We can offer classes before work, during lunch hours and after the workday is completed.

6. Will we have the same teacher every week?

Absolutely.  Barring unforeseen circumstances of illness or injury, your employees will receive the consistency of one teacher for the entire session.  Our goal is to make sure that your employees receive timely, well planned classes in a safe environment.  Consistency is the key to making that happen.

7. This sounds great, but how much will it cost?

Please send us an email via our Contact page  so that we can discuss your individual needs. Every work environment is different so costs will depend upon the length of classes and the number of employees participating in the program.