Making space for yoga and mindfulness in the corporate sphere

What began as a trend is now here to stay

Over the past decade several large corporations across the world have whole heartedly embraced the benefits of the practicing yoga, mindfulness and similar onsite employee’s wellness programs designed for a professional environment. Prominent organizations leading the way in this initiative are Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Intel, Atena, General Mills, Goldman Sachs to name a few.
They have setup elaborate In-house programs to initiate and nurture the practice of yoga and mindfulness among their employees. Some of these organizations have also devised scientific methods to evaluate the effects of practicing yoga and mindfulness on their employees. This has provided a much needed statistical data to substantiate the benefits of these practices.
Measures such as onsite employee’s wellness programs to improve the overall physical, mental and emotional well-being of the employees provides a great opportunity for the organizations to the show there support to their employees. In turn these measures equip the employees to contribute at the highest level of capabilities (improved focus, clarity, creativity) while taking good care of their well-being and paves way for the organization as a whole to function as a cohesive unit by improving inter personal dynamics between colleagues.

INITIAL CHALLENGES

• It is not everybody’s cup of tea
  Not every member of an organization may enjoy practicing yoga or sitting in meditation. One of the primary reasons for this perception is the stereotype associated with yoga and mindfulness. It only appeals to a certain ‘type’ of people. The fact of the matter is that each one of us practice some aspect of yoga or mindfulness almost all the time. Yoga and mindfulness programs are intended to draw our attention to existing underdeveloped practice, feed it and develop a remarkable skill to rise up to our professional and personal demands. These stereotypes and apparent disinterest from some members of the organization should not be considered as a major hurdle. A relatively respectable number of employees practicing yoga and mindfulness techniques can change the vibe on the office floor and the benefits accrued have a way of rubbing off on those who are not participating in the practice.
• Is it a religious practice?
  Organizations and members alike are vary of the any practice which apparently has its roots in religion encroachng into professional or personal spheres. To state in simplest terms, yoga and mindfulness are not religious practices and the participants are not required to the follow any religion. In scientific terms yoga and mindfulness are comprehensive skill set to manage our lives in an optimal manner. In spite of the fact that the fundamental texts of the yoga and mindfulness may have strong connection to the religious texts, these traditions are completely secular practices in terms of what is expected from the participants to practice yoga or mindfulness, which is merely an open mind and a willingness to try. Undeniable proof of its secular character is in the adoption of International Yoga Day by United Nations and the proliferation of the secular mindfulness in the western countries in the form of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
• Can all organizations afford it?
  Almost all start-ups, even mid-size corporations are naturally not able to invest in such in-house employee wellness programs due to cash or time constraints. However, organizations in their early stages of growth perhaps require the practice of yoga and mindfulness the most to build a strong team based on sound philosophy and sustainability. Given the demanding environment these organizations and its members have to endure to survive and thrive, a few minutes set aside for yoga or mindfulness practice may do wonders to their creativity, focus and overall wellbeing.

BENEFITS

Corporate onsite wellness program offered by MINDFUL Yogis is designed to suit the requirements of the organization and some of the broad outcomes of the program are:

• Making stress your ally;
• Improving concentration, creativity, focus and will power;
• Establishing a deeper connection with our body;
• Enhancing the quality of sleep;
• Improving immune system and posture;
• Improving overall physical, mental and emotional well-being;
• Improving eating habits;
• Building a sustainable yoga and mindfulness practice that can be continued after the completion of the program.

ABOUT MINDFUL YOGIS

We strive to bring the benefits of practicing yoga and mindfulness to as many organizations as possible in the Netherlands. We design programs and cater to the needs of all organizations irrespective of the size of the organization, nature of the business (creative, technology, professionals, manual work). Do write to us to arrange for a free introductory session for your employees: info@mindful-yogis.com.