Employees are being challenged in new ways that take their jobs to a more dynamic role. Offices are expecting their employees to take on more responsibility, keep their productivity high, and work-from-home for the first time ever. Some workers are experiencing dramatic changes in their stress from the added work demands along with the inability to sustain a work-life balance. Keeping up with the inconsistency of society along with being a successful employee can be very daunting. While many seek out expensive leadership workshops or increase their caffeine and alcohol intake the ongoing internet searches for motivation practices are at an all time high.

Many successful employees and leaders have turned to yoga to help stay relevant in this ever changing environment. A study by Aetna found that on average wellness programs, such as yoga, contributed to lowering employee stress levels by 28% and 62 minutes of productivity gained per week. Harvard Business Review 2015, S. Achor; M. Gielan.

What makes yoga different from other fitness or wellness programs is that it encompasses your whole being – mind and body. Weight training is great for burning off steam and building strong muscle, but it doesn’t aim to increase your mental awareness. Yoga is a proactive approach to wellbeing internally and externally for anyone and can be done anywhere at anytime.

Yoga can greatly enhance your job performance in the following ways:

Minimizing Distractions

Yoga is all about being in the present moment. Through a range of poses you learn how to get comfortable with discomfort which helps you build focus. Using your breath, you will learn how to bring your mind back when it wanders and pause when things gets a bit unstable.

Reduces Reactive Behaviors

Sitting in traffic, negative clients, or long meetings can throw you into an immediate aggravated mood. The stamina built up through the consistent practice of yoga actually builds your patience. For example, one legged balancing pose Warrior 3 can be difficult to hold steady, but with practice and patience you will get there and that patience you build will also help you get through that long Monday meeting.

Builds Confidence

Confidence is built up over time and also destroyed over time. Working long days on rigorous projects with uncertainty is bound to bring your self esteem a little low. Now, imagine sitting on your mat and thinking about three great things you accomplished today and then using your strength to hold a side plank. You can’t help but feel proud. Spend some time doing something positive for yourself and remember to keep your confidence maintained.

Adaptability

Working in any industry requires the ability to adjust quickly and adapt to new developments. Yoga poses are different for everyone and will feel different depending on the day. It’s important to practice non-judgement and modify the pose to fit your body or use a prop when needed. Practicing adaptability on the mat will give you greater versatility off the mat and in your life.

Creativity

Do you ever have writers block at work and then come up with 15 new ideas in the shower? That is in part because you are more relaxed during your shower and fully present. You can get similar results after a yoga flow. Taking time to let go and shut off outside noise allows your brain to relax giving it more energy to creatively roam freely. During a really stressful day it may be hard to focus, but instead of feeling lost just a few minutes of yoga can give you a boost in the right direction.

Stronger Community

Humans are social creatures, and many thrive off of the energy that comes from group activates. Working alone in an office or at home for hours can simply bum you out. In-office yoga classes are a great way to meet up with your teammates, befriend co-workers in other departments, or catch up after class. Virtual yoga gives you a break from your lonely home office and connects you to the friendly faces you know while giving you a reason to work on your health together. You can even compare which poses were your favorites after-hours and keep the momentum going.

Yoga programs offer many benefits that will help you accomplish your career goals. The skills you cultivate on the mat can easily be transferred into your daily life to help you progress and become a well-rounded professional.

To start your yoga practice today join me virtually or send me a message to learn how you can bring yoga into your office.