Yoga’s Incredible Benefits

architecture-21591_640Companies looking to provide wellness programs to their employees often turn to Yoga for the preventative and healing advantages it provides. What a great choice! The body and mind can be rejuvenated by the gentle moves and deep breathing involved without needing to risk injuries or worsen existing medical conditions.

Here are a few of the amazing advantages that Yoga offers:

Improve Flexibility – Do you believe that you need to be flexible to be able to do yoga? That’s not true – your muscles and joints will become more flexible as a result of a committed yoga practice.

If your employees sit a lot during the workday, there are specific postures that address that issue. An experienced yoga instructor is able to build a customized practice to fit your people’s needs.

Build Muscles – If you think that only weightlifting can develop muscles, you’re wrong. Yoga can assist strengthening muscles through special asanas. You don’t have to lift weights – you can lift your own body weight! We can show you very effective yoga postures where the muscles get sculpted even without trying!

Toning and strengthening of the body is a natural result of consistently practicing Yoga.

Ease Back Pain – Back pain can be distressing and incapacitating. And ultimately decrease the wellbeing and productivity of your work force. Yoga postures can help naturally and provide the relief needed.

Restorative Yoga can neutralize the damage of a sedentary life style and too much sitting in the office. A few easy yoga poses that are terrific to ease back discomfort are Cat/Cow, Downward Dog and Spinal Twist.

Strengthen the Spine – To preserve appropriate spine alignment you have to have flexibility and balance. If your spine isn’t really aligned properly, you can struggle with back pain and lack of motion. A couple of Yoga stretches such as Seated Twist and the Bridge Pose will help to keep your spinal column straightened appropriately and to improve your range of movement.

Boosts Immune System – Priming your immune system for better wellness is essential to fend off colds and flu and other, more severe conditions. Yoga can boost your immune system by enhancing circulation of the lymph – a clear fluid that helps to get rid of microorganisms and viruses.

Yoga poses such as the Child’s Pose and Downward-Facing Dog can considerably benefit the immune system and are easy to practice even during a corporate yoga class.

St. Louis Corporate Yoga classes offer a customized plan to help your employees to enjoy better health and higher productivity. As no two work environments are the same, we will support you to find the best solution for your company!

It is easy to connect with us! Just fill out the box to the right on this page and we will get back to you as soon as possible, usually in less than 48 hours’ time. Alternatively you can give Michelle Maue a call at 314-630-1677 .

 

 

 

Office Yoga Poses of the Month – Shoulder Openers

healthy backWe understand it is not always possible to get to your yoga class with more and more work piled up on the desk.  That is why we bring to you our monthly blogpost with easy to follow in the office or at home stretches.

This month, we wish to feature shoulder openers.  All of us carry a great deal of tension in our upper back, shoulders and even arms.

Practicing shoulder openers will diminish tension headaches, fatigue and provide the brain with a much needed boost of oxygen.  This will then help release tension converting it back into its natural state or vitality.  With new energy, you will be able to tackle new projects and have more creative ideas.

SHOULDER OPENING YOGA POSTURES 101

1) Right now in your chair, bring your hands interlaced and above your head.  Take 8-10 breaths and feel that stretch through your thorasic and upper back muscles.

2) For the second pose, bring one hand around the opposite elbow and pull that over the crown of the head, stretching the tricep muscles of the arm.  Again, hold the posture for 8-10 breaths.  Change sides.

3) For the third and best yoga pose in the office place, stand next to the office chair and interlace your hands behind you.  Stretch downward through the arms and the hands.  Keep rolling open the collarbones and feel the top of the chest open, the key is to soften the rib cage down and back and feel the top of your chest opening like ‘Superman’ with the collarbones smiling big and bright.

4) From a seated position, lift the arms out to the sides and above the head, palms touching.  Exhale slowly to the count of 5 and bring the arms back down.

Some other suggestions for inviting yourself to practice include an at home practice too.  Create a sacred part of your house where it is solely dedicated to quiet time. Quiet the distractions and light soft candles, or tea lights throughout your home.  Play soft music, and clear away any clutter.

Navigating our way back to compassion and spirit requires us to stay grounded. Yoga is a system of tools designed to bring our fragmented selves back into wholeness and balance.

The interesting thing about being grounded, is that your empathy and team building skills go through the roof.

The most important step in yoga is to try.  If you do not practice, you will not receive benefits.  Secondly, give yourself space to be gentle and learn from the different postures and techniques.  Every single yogi begins their practice with resistance and tension in the body.  Be gentle as you bump up against your edges.

Your company doesn’t have yet a corporate yoga program? Let us help you create a unique program for you! Please call us at 314-630-1677.

 

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