What is the importance of yoga for employees in the corporate world?
The practice of yoga is important for employees in the corporate world because it gives them tools to manage stress. In addition to that, it helps them improve their physical health, increases immunity, and improves posture.
Stress is something we have learned to live with.
It is no longer surprising when people say they are stressed.
As sad as that is, it has become an indicator of a busy and productive lifestyle.
Excessive stress can lead to minor and major health issues, in addition to impacting productivity at work.
Common problems include headaches, body ache, anxiety, lingering sadness, depression, heart disease, and lack of concentration.
The practice of yoga in the workplace has also been proven to enhance creativity, improve productivity, focus, and the work environment by reducing aggression, and enhancing mood.
What is corporate yoga?
Corporate yoga is taking yoga to the workplace. It is a holistic approach to wellness, and used to take care of both the physical health and mental health of employees. Generally, corporate yoga includes simple yoga poses that help relieve workplace stress, and boost overall health and productivity.
The focus areas for corporate yoga poses are the neck and shoulders, where stress tends to accumulate the most, the lower back, which often experiences pain because of long sitting hours, and the joints in the legs.
It also includes breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness techniques.
Some offices have a dedicated space and run classes where employees can take a break and practice as they please.
Others might only have the space for desk yoga, which can be practiced in your cubicle.
What are the benefits of corporate yoga?
Corporate yoga helps with both physical and mental health. Here are all its benefits:
1. HELPS REDUCE BACK PAIN
Back pain is one of the most common problems faced by employees who work at desk jobs.
Research shows that yoga eases moderate to severe chronic low back pain.
A one-hour yoga session, once a week can be effective to reduce back pain by stretching and strengthening the muscles that support the back.
2. LOWERS THE RISK OF BURNOUT AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES STRESS
Yoga practice helps to reduce cortisol and adrenaline, the stress-producing hormones, lowers feelings of anxiety, and calms the nerves.
Frequent and persistent increases in these stress-creating hormones can lead to high blood pressure.
Studies show that people who practice yoga have low cortisol levels, and therefore experience lower perceived stress and blood pressure.
3. HELPS REDUCE NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS IN THE WORKPLACE
Corporate culture can often promote behaviors that exhibit aggression, unhealthy competitiveness, and hostility.
Yoga can help keep these emotions in check by creating mindfulness that helps witness an act in a non-judgmental manner.
Studies show that workplace yoga helps boost positivity, reduce aggression, and improve interpersonal relationships.
4. BOOSTS IMMUNITY AND REDUCES ABSENTEEISM
Regular yoga practice helps increase immunity, release toxins, improve blood circulation, and increase the blood flow to all the organs of the body.
Improved health of employees leads to less absenteeism, increased productivity, and a more positive work environment.
5. INCREASES ENERGY LEVELS AND EMPLOYEE MORALE
Regular yoga practice increases energy levels and employee morale, both resulting in higher productivity.
Morale is correlated with productivity in the workplace. Employees who have higher morale show higher productivity and those with lower morale show lower productivity.
Yoga, through its dynamic movements and full body stretches, increases blood flow throughout the body, thus reducing fatigue and tiredness, and leaving more energy for work.
