Yoga for business

No one knows if ancient yogis thought much about improving the workplace by teaching classes in breathing, bending, arching, stretching, and lunging. It seems unlikely they ever dreamed that the practice of yoga would one day have a thing to do with the bottom line.

But they would, no doubt, be tickled pink to learn that the holistic Indian tradition would one day be considered an effective method for promoting better business decisions by lowering stress. Though it appears that there's no real threat that corporate America is about to become “blissed-out,” there are signs that classes in yoga are swiftly gaining in popularity. In office parks and corporate work-out rooms, rank and file employees and barefoot executives are slipping into comfortable clothes to learn techniques for developing better strength and balance, and to create “unions between the mind and the body.” That's the definition of the Sanskrit word yoga.

When your body is at rest and your soul is at peace, you make better decisions. Yoga is for workout warriors, and for couch potatoes. It's for people of all ages and levels of health and coordination. It can be done in groups, or alone.

The idea is that deep breathing and stretching exercises release muscle tension and allow people to be "present" in their bodies. Yoga helps the individual stay calm, and become more approachable. When you can rest in your body, your mind becomes more flexible.

If, for example, you are a manager who has to discipline an employee, and you take a few minutes for yoga breathing and stretching exercises beforehand, you will be calm, centered, focused, and grounded. Yoga helps cut down on in-house conflicts. It's an easy way to give your self a boost and to be more alert. It's a way for everyone--from clerks to executives--to become more flexible and compassionate.

Namaste.

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