As more employees are being required to work longer hours, more companies are trying to make the workplace a friendlier, healthier place to be by providing onsite amenities, such as yoga classes. Having mind-body programs like yoga on company grounds can help employees improve their productivity and mental clarity while reducing the number of their sick days.
Convenience
Many people are caught between the demands of long hours at the office and the time they need to spend with their families. Often, the first thing to go in a busy schedule is physical activity. However, being less active can actually make meeting those demands even more difficult. When you are too sedentary, your mind and body fatigue faster, leaving you with less energy to give to your job and kids. Having yoga in the workplace offers a convenient way for employees to have a balanced life and to fit a workout in, without having to leave the premises.
Stress
One benefit of yoga is its ability to help you de-stress. Employees that are relaxed and productive are vital to a thriving workplace. Yoga helps you to focus on your breath and links that breath to your movement. It requires that you be mindful to what you are doing at that very minute, not about the meeting you have later that afternoon. By focusing on your breathing and the poses for an hour, you give your mind a rest from the pressures of reports and deadlines.
Health
Stress is a leading cause of chronic health problems, including colds, viruses, headaches, overeating, sleeplessness and smoking; the more health problems that your employees endure, the higher your health care costs will be. By providing yoga classes, along with other wellness benefits, employees can help to reduce their risk of acute and chronic medical conditions, which can directly affect your bottom line. Healthier employees produce higher quality work, make better decisions and pay more attention to details.
Bonding
Employees and business associates have used an afternoon on the golf course as a way to network for years; now that bonding experience is moving into the yoga class. Providing yoga classes to your employees allows them to meet and interact with co-workers and supervisors in a casual way that can lead to deeper work relationships. Having a common interest, such as yoga, which is challenging while also being fun, can spark a friendship or increase respect.