Everyone is under more stress now – to perform and work more hours each day. Yoga gives workers a chance to take it all in their stride.
Yoga At Workplace
Presenting yoga in the office does more than just improve the work performance of an employee, it develops them as individuals of society and improves their lives outside of their occupation. This service betters their lives at home, work, with family & friends, and betters them for their future. This affects them as human beings and they are quick to recognize the full scope of the provided service and lifelong benefits.
Corporate yoga has been a popular word in recent times, just because of changes in the working environment and the individual lifestyle. In decade’s time, we have witnessed many transformations in technology. Though we are well equipped, the level of stress is increasing. Taking a break at work with yoga has proven to be one of the most effective ways in helping employees relieve stress and become refreshed and more focused. Through yoga employees make better decisions, become more productive, and stay positive and enhanced team spirit.
Common Workplace Health Issues: The Impact of Stress and Sedentary Lifestyles
Consider a day in the life of a corporate employee. Deadliness, politics in the workplace, peer pressure, pressure to perform, pay cuts and long working hours- these are the parts of every working individual’s daily routine, and the top of all is the wrong sedentary lifestyle. We have tortured our body so much; it is bound to show some reaction, we see it in the form of stress fatigue and other lifestyle diseases. This leads to an increase in the number of sick leaves and less focus and productivity in general. Some of the lifestyle health issues are listed below:
- Stress- work stress/Deadline stress/performance stress etc
- Work-Life balance struggles
- Poor communication
- Depression
- Burn out
- Back pain
- Blood pressure(high/low)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Varicose veins
- Migraine
- Spine related issues etc.
Benefits of Corporate Yoga
Incorporating yoga in the workplace can really make employees and employers more motivated toward organizational goals and individual goals. Regular practice of yoga in the workplace can improve the decision making, broad vision, harmony amongst the employees and management.
According to statistics listed in Business.com, “It’s reported that companies spend about $14,000 per employee on medically related productivity costs annually. But companies that offer yoga and other wellness program benefits greatly reduce their health insurance premiums and increase their bottom line.”
Many companies are now offering yoga as part of their corporate wellness programs, some of the biggest in the world including pro sports teams; Forbes, GE, Apple, Google, GM, Chase Manhattan Bank, HBO, GM, Industrial Light & Magic and Nike have found the benefits.
Corporate yoga benefits the business even more, as statistics show that for every $1 invested in health and wellbeing programs, there is a documented return on investment of $3-$6.3 8 This creates tremendous savings that could be better utilized towards company goals, research, employee benefits and appreciation. A company not utilizing corporate yoga or health and wellbeing programs can expect to be part of the plethora of businesses losing well over $250 billion dollars a year in absenteeism, reduced productivity, low morale, employee turnover, and accidents.4 9 It is unmistakable to recognize that health is wealth, as corporate yoga enables better use of company time, and saves the company money with lower healthcare costs – resulting in a higher bottom line.5 10
The following lists describe specific benefits Corporate Yoga can provide in various areas within the corporate sector.
Scientific View on Corporate Yoga
According to researchers from the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, yoga in conjunction with meditation can indeed relieve stress and improve work performance.” Yoga Journal Article
“Companies with Corporate Health Promotion Programs have realized a 28% reduction in sick leave, a 26% reduction in adjunctive healthcare costs and a 30% reduction in disability and workers compensation costs.” Health Affairs, Volume 21, No.2, March, 2002.
One study indicated that the return on investment for corporate wellness programs is over 5:1, or $5.81 saved for every dollar invested. (Stephenie Overman, author of Next-Generation Wellness at Work)
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recommends yoga as “practical strategies for a healthy workplace” (in SHRM’s effective Guide Series)
“High-performance companies clearly understand the health-and-work behavior equation. This is why more than 75 percent of high-performing companies surveyed recently said they regularly measure health status as a component of their overall risk management strategy.” (The Society for Human Resource Management)
“According to research—conducted in October 2011 among 1,121 employees and 533 retirees—52 percent of workers (up from 37 percent a year earlier) said they had more energy to be more productive at work by participating in a wellness program. Another 35 percent (up from 28 percent a year earlier) said that they had missed fewer days of work by participating in a wellness program.” (The Society for Human Resource Management)
“Americans work harder, are more productive and miss fewer days of work as a result of wellness benefit programs, according to the quarterly survey of American workers at growing businesses with 10 to 1,000 employees. Forty-one percent of workers agreed that having a wellness program encourages them to work harder and perform better at work.” (The Society for Human Resource Management)
There is a definite decrease in health care costs when wellness initiatives are offered, and surveys indicate that for every dollar spent on wellness initiatives, most organizations see $1 to $3 decreases in costs. (The Society for Human Resource Management)
The American workforce is becoming more mindful. In a new study of more than 85,000 adults, yoga practice among U.S. workers nearly doubled from 2002 to 2012, from 6 percent to 11 percent. Meditation rates also increased, from 8 percent to 9.9 percent. (TIME MAGAZINE)
Recent study of American physiological association released in 1 November 2017 states that main stressor of American citizen is work (61% of population thinks work place is the main reason for stress)
Corporate yoga sequence at workplace. Employees return from workouts refreshed and better focused on their jobs. Time lost on exercise is made back and more in terms of improved productivity (Business Insider)
“Yoga is literally a moving meditation. It gave me time to clear my head, unpack the volumes of new information I was absorbing each day and then come back with a new, clearer perspective on the problems at hand. On top of that, it’s a great workout.” (Ryan Holmes for Medium.com)
“Job stress creates up to 60% of employee absenteeism” C. Cooper & R. Payne, eds. Causes, Coping and Consequences of Stress at Work. Job Stress and Healthcare Cost Data
“Job stress costs employers more than $200 billion each year in absenteeism, tardiness, burnout, lower productivity, high turnover, worker’s compensation and medical insurance costs.” National Safety Council
“Depression, a common problem among workers, costs the US $44 billion per year in lost productivity. ” National Foundation of Brain Research
“The California Workers Compensation Institute determined that job stress claims increased 700% from 1977-1988.” M. Lehmer et al. J. Occupational Environment
”In a recent 3-year analysis of over 46,000 workers from six major US companies, depression and unmanaged stress emerged as the top two most costly risk factors in terms of medical expenditures – increasing health care costs by 2-7 times as much as physical risk factors such as smoking, obesity and poor exercise habits.” R. Goetzel et al. J Occupational Environmental Medicine
How Global Celebrities Embrace Yoga for Physical and Mental Health?
Let us look at what some of the famous celebrities around the world have to say about yoga in their fitness regime. Entertainment Industries are very demanding, celebs around the world who influence the Have to maintain their physical and mental health at first, and yoga has been the first choice for them in decades of time.
- “We all will have to die someday but before that yoga guides us to the right way of living,” said veteran comedian Madan Krishna Shrestha in his message for the day.
- Eminent actor and veteran dancer Mithila Sharma says: “Even the western dance forms such as B-boying and contemporary incorporate many yoga postures. Yoga offers goodness endlessly for all age groups.”
- Bollywood actress shilpa shetty kundra is brand face of yoga realized many yoga DVD’s and programme
- Bollywood queen karina kapoor khan include 50 surya namaskar regularly and 40 mins of yoga practice in her fitness menu
- Not only actress but the Akshay kumar who love martial arts also do yoga and meditate regularly for his fitness
- Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta , actress and a mother also trusts yoga for her fitness and during pregnancy also he practiced parental yoga for healthy babies.
Corporate Yoga Program Includes
Our corporate yoga packages can be conveniently and discretely done within the office space and in a short period of time. We provide companies’ manpower with valuable techniques needed to manage everyday challenges and to optimize health and well-being. We offer corporate yoga classes in many industries. Corporate yoga has been a successful tool to reduce stress and tension at the workplace and boost productivity, save on health care costs and improve focus and concentration. As it works through the level of body, mind and soul, it seeks balance in life in absence of which is the main reason for dissatisfaction (personal and professional life).
Corporate Yoga Program, designed to meet the unique needs of highly productive individuals facing the demands of today’s fast-paced work environment.
- Customized packages to fit with the company’s needs and availability.
- Safe and detailed approach to all postures with attention given to body ailments commonly experienced at work.
- Theory and practical courses as well as theme based workshops.
- Highly qualified and certified teachers
- Yoga mats, but we would expect each person or the company to purchase their own.
- All students are welcome, regardless of fitness or flexibility level. Please notify us however of any chronic conditions that may affect your practice.
Example of Corporate Yoga Session (1 hour)
- 1-3 minute silent sitting
- 5-7 minute warm up
- 30-40 minute yoga practice
- 5-15 minute breathing exercises & meditation
Essential Presentation Topics
- What is Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation
- Yoga general and specific benefits
- Corporate Yoga expectations
- Pranayama and breathing workshop
- Mindfulness Meditation workshop
- Essential Yoga poses for sedentary workers workshop
- Desk/Chair Yoga
Advanced Presentation Opportunities (1 hour each)
- Surya Namaskara workshop
- Yoga asana workshops
- Pranayama advanced techniques
- Jala Neti (nasal cleansing technique) workshop
- Stress and how to self manage
- Establishing an at-home Yoga routine
- Personalized poses and yoga flows
What Will You Need?
- Motivated mind
- Comfortable clothes
- A bottle of water
- 60 minutes of time (note: length of the session can be customized as per the need).
Frequently asked questions
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Do you need to have done yoga at all before doing corporate yoga?
This is not the case for corporate yoga, and it caters to everyone regardless of their fitness level or experience. Sessions are designed for all levels of practitioner.
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Benefits of Corporate Yoga For Employees
Corporate yoga conducts on-site office yoga classes to help staff lowering stress, increase focus and improve health both physically & mentally. It improves productivity, decision-making as well as team spirit.
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Is it office-friendly, and what gear do you need for personal sessions?
Yoga can be practiced in the office with a limited amount of space and equipment required. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat (if you have one), and water.
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What do employees gain from Corporate Yoga?
Corporate yoga is nothing but offering in-office yoga sessions for employees to reduce stress, increase focus and improve physical & mental health. It will improve productivity, decision-making and team spirit.
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Are yoga sessions possible in the office and do we need any equipment?
Actually, you can have an office yoga layout with minimal space and equipment. We suggest you wear comfortable clothes, have a yoga mat (if possible) and a bottle of water.
Reference
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/the-dangers-of-sitting/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/the-science-behind-yoga-and-your-brain/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga
- https://hathayogasydney.com.au/workplace-yoga-2/
- https://www.gaia.com/article/benefits-yoga-work/
- https://karenkurzmeyer.com/