“The wellness of employees is the wellness of the company; the very strength of a company is its employees”.- Dario Calvaruso, owner of Holistic Wellness & Yoga in Hong Kong. Vancouver, BC (August 25, 2014) –
The benefits of regular exercise, in particular regular yoga, are undeniable. According to a study performed by Neha Gothe and published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 20 minutes of yoga a day can significantly improve your brain function, focus and reduce stress levels in addition to improving your overall health and flexibility.
That is why every year the Yoga Health Foundation campaigns for National Yoga Month. A month designed to educate, inspire and motivate people in North America to discover the health benefits of regular yoga through free classes and events.
“We are all looking for ways to take an active role in managing our health. There are readily available solutions that don’t necessarily require insurance or even a doctor,” said Johannes Fisslinger, co-founder of National Yoga Month. “Preventative wellness can be accessed by simply unrolling a yoga mat”.
Although the benefits of regular exercise are well publicized, scheduling regular exercise into our busy lives is not always an easy feat. Once you have taken time out of your day to commute to and from work, complete your work and take care of your everyday chores, exercise can take a back burner to relaxing on the couch or spending time with your family. That is why more and more companies within Vancouver are understanding the importance of introducing wellness initiatives into the workplace.
Companies that focus on improving their employees health and wellness experience higher employee morale, increased productivity and fewer employee absentees.
One local company that has experienced the benefits of introducing yoga to the workplace is Homeroom Small Business Solutions, a local bookkeeping and tax company and 2014 finalist for the Small Business BC Best Workplace award.
“A few years ago I felt really stressed as I managed my business, staff and personal life. It was during this time that I was encouraged to take up yoga. The difference it made in my life was remarkable. As my business grew I decided to introduce yoga to my staff by providing everyone with annual passes to their favorite studio. It was the best decision I have ever made. I feel this has brought us together as a team and helped us significantly reduce the amount of stress we all experience,” said Teya Mali, owner of Homeroom Small Business Solutions.
In support of National Yoga Month and workplace health and wellness, Teya and her staff have made it their mission to introduce yoga to their clients and friends. The are doing this by hosting a one month charity yoga challenge, that will help raise money for local charity Athletics For Kids.
Participants can enter as individuals or as a team and are encouraged to practice yoga everyday for the month of September. Anyone who donates to the cause no matter how big or small the amount are eligible to receive discounted yoga at participating studios.
If studies show significant health improvements after just 20 minutes of yoga a day, imagine what a one hour class, every day for one month can do for your well-being.
From: The Vancouver Sun