The benefits of yoga for the workplace are numerous. The postures and the concentration on breathing help to combat stress and the tightening effects of sitting at a desk. During Lock Down, people find they do more sitting than in the office. I re-mobilise backs, un-stiffen legs and I've seen sciatica disappear from sufferers.
“More companies are trying to make the workplace a friendlier, healthier place to be by providing amenities such as yoga classes. When you are too sedentary, your mind and body fatigue faster. Having a yoga programme on company grounds can help employees improve their productivity and mental clarity while reducing the number of their sick days. ”
Employees find there are enormous benefits to having yoga classes provided for them.
Dear Office Manager.
I am so pleased that you are considering introducing yoga into your workplace. I can answer some questions you may have here on this page. Here are some points regarding the benefits of yoga in the workplace:
In normal times, people attend for a variety of reasons. Some people attend because they have no time to go to a gym and find it handy that yoga/exercise is provided at work. Some like the meditation and calming aspect of the practice. Employers like this aspect to support employees who suffer stress, depression or anxiety and to reduce the amount of sick leave due to physical or mental illness. Common workplace health problems can be managed or cured, such as back-ache or sciatica, also reducing sick days. Now, post-Lock Down and the increase in working-from-home, managers are finding it necessary to encourage colleagues to exercise, not least for mental health support.
Online yoga will gather colleagues together for a shared experience of health and wellness as well as for fun. It suits everyone, including, importantly, people who wouldn’t dream of attending office classes in person and don’t like gyms. I teach any number of people, all abilities, conditions and injuries. I teach Ashtanga when people are full of energy and raring to go. I teach a Yin/toned down class when people need more of a stretchy, restorative session. I can tailor a class, depending on the attendees. I can include a nice chunk of meditation. Sporty people tend towards yoga for the improvement in their sporting performances and prevention of injury due to increased mobility. People feeling stress and pressure appreciate the time taken out just for themselves.
I charge £90 for an online class of an hour and £150 for a one-off class. If you would like me to come to your office and teach in person, I charge £150 if you are London/west London-based but I would like to discuss this separately because there are different options.
Please contact me if you would like to introduce yoga into your workplace or if you would like to do a one-off wellness session. Yoga classes need very few props and equipment - I suggest a yoga mat and yoga belt. If you want to go ahead, you will want to see my insurance and qualification certificates. The certificates can be found on this website. I will send proof of insurance.
I hope to hear from you soon. Please get in touch.
Tania
Workplace Yoga in the News
Here is an article by The Independent called ‘Yoga in the workplace can reduce back pain and sickness absence’. Absolutely! I hear about back problems due to endless sedentary duties all the time. The Inde tells us that ‘back pain is one of the most common reasons for visits to the doctor, and missed work. In fact, absence from work due to back problems costs British employers more than £3bn every year.’
“I was thinking of you when I went to an Ashtanga class last Friday. I remembered your classes and how you taught me to breathe in a way that I felt like I was floating after a class. And not to forget all those twists. I never knew what my body was capable of until I met you.”
More Yoga!
Some companies have many successful years of yoga-in-the-workplace under their belt. It's a very important perk for the workforce and the office yogis are pretty advanced in their practice. They want more than an hour's class can give them.
What more can I offer?
A one-hour class is a practical length to fit into the working day but if you're interested in 75 or 90 minutes, that's possible. People are usually more interested in moving the body than in meditation but if you want chanting, 'pranayama' and meditation included in the hour's class, of course that's doable.
Perhaps your yogis would be interested in a Weekend Workplace Workshop to deepen their practice. Perhaps some would like a weekend class that involves the children. Slightly more indulgent might be a retreat in a country manor exclusive to the company. Let me know if you want to discuss this or if you have other ideas.
