Author: Michelle Maue

How to Supplement Your St. Louis Corporate Yoga Classes With an At Home Yoga Practice?

One of the greatest benefits to yoga practice is our ability to feel safe, well cared for and appreciated.  When we take the time for our spirit, we feel strong, peaceful empowered and connected to universal force.  The universe as Edwina Gaines like to say, “loves me, nutures me and wants me to win”.  So how do we build a better yoga practice outside of yoga class?  This article will explain.

In order to create the right sacred space, think about setting a reasonable schedule.  Try to practice regularly about 10-15 minutes first thing in the morning and again in the evening before retiring for bed.  These times of the day are the most important.

More importatly, be realistic about stillness and space.  Often our greatest obstacle is our own expectation that yoga and meditation is about perfect stillness or having a particular blissful state.  The gift you give to yourself is a timeless realm where you can learn to simply be.  Put some soft music on, open a window, particularly if it is cold outside.  The most important thing is just to bring yourself, start by sitting quietly, maybe writing in a journal, appreciating that first cup of coffee, and then begin to move the body gently through safe and accessible postures.  For a list of correct sequences, please come to our yoga studio, ask a yoga instructor, or sign up for our Facebook page.

The second step is make sure to clear away the clutter.  When your room is messy with piles of clothes or books, this will distract and create also a busy mind. So, in your new, clean space, add some soft lighting, implement new tea lights.  Have some fresh flowers, dry the flowers, purchase a bunch of lavender, fresh cinnamon sticks in a glass, place a picture of yourself when you were little, happy, and full of wonder for this existence.  You may even like to occasionally change your space around adding and taking away family heirlooms or wonderful gifts received from friends.  Have about you, things that bring certainty and good feeling.  You may even like to start an altar or have a vision board with wonderful images from magazine pictures that represent your heart’s true desire.

How do you know when you are practicing the movements correctly?  When you practice yoga, it is supposed to hurt but a good kind of hurt.  Good pain is when your body feels sensation.  Sensation in the body are places where energy has become trapped in the tissues of te body.  Any areas that are tight, achey, confrontational, dull will come up to surface in order that they may heal.  Meeting sensation with breath rather than judgement about what the experience is, will create awareness and greater acceptance.  Use common sense.  Anytime, you feel anything sharp, electrical or taking away your breath, remember this is not yoga.

Meditation is a flow state, a realization of learning to trust in the moment and finding that universal support inside. Be in a state of gratitude for it all.  Be in awe of even the smallest ways in which you receive and are supported by the universe.  Be willing to have a welcoming attitude and open yourself to joy.

Rumi, a famous mystical sufi, once said “sell your cleverness, and purchase bewilderment”. The people that are there in your life, that love you, the peace and quiet of your office space.  The fresh food in your fridge that awaits your next meal.  Realize in this moment, how many people are taking care of you.  More and more, we see that if we are positive and can stay centered, we will attract more of the same.

So, get started having fun, let go of the busy mind that constantly wonders if you are doing it right, and tap into effortless knowing, harmony and meditation that you will find constant universal light within.  The real secret to a successful yoga practice is just to keep on keeping on!

 

 

 

 
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What Our Happy Corporate Yoga Clients Have To Say About St. Louis Corporate Yoga

Since 2001, St. Louis Corporate Yoga has been offering on-site wellness yoga programs to many corporations throughout the greater metro St. Louis area.  St. Louis Corporate Yoga has expanded to a staff of 10 yoga instructors who offer the best yoga available.

Our companies include:  Towers Watson, Gallop, Johnson and Neuman, AG Edwards Headquarters, Renaissance Financial, and St. Louis County Employees.  More and more companies are realizing the wonderful benefits of having on-site corporate yoga in their workplace today.

Here what other current clients have to say:

Benefits according to Natalie Warren, Office Services Representative for the Department of Revenue, are multiple.  “Regular yoga classes give me a better ability to focus on time consuming projects, produce better quality work, experience more energy throughout the day, and address underlying health issues that are all weight related”.

Anna Gail, Director of Employee Wellness for the St. Louis County began almost one year ago and has now seen the yoga wellness movement explode with popularity and interest.  Classes have expanded from two to four classes each week.  This is what Ms. Gail has to say, “Michelle and her staff are passionate about what they do and very respectful of each yogi who comes to class. This is a great stress relief and great low impact fitness workout.  The price is right, low cost sharing with our sponsor, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.”

Tom Hinton, chief investigator for the U.S Federal Government started taking yoga for chronic lower back pain and found that “yoga helped me to detach from the problems, lower my stress and anxiety, push distractions away and increase my flexibility.  I also love the music and quiet soothing instruction.  I find that many of the movements alleviate my back pain and I can even do it in my office. I highly recommend St. Louis Corporate Yoga to anyone.”

Joe Hagen, Attorney, U.S Court of Appeals, says “I started yoga after hyperextending my knee.  It did take several months but with yoga, I am able once again to participate in all my previous athletic activities, something I could not do even with physical therapy.  I attend the class during my lunch hour and while the workout is often strenuous, I don’t get sweaty and therefore am able to change and get right back to my desk.  I heartily recommend yoga to co-workers as well as friends and I find it’s made a tremendous difference in my quality of life”.  Business professionals find St. Louis Corporate Yoga to be a great way to get in shape and relieve stress.

To get more involved in starting a corporate yoga program at your workplace, please contact, Michelle Maue, at 314-630-1677 or email us at info@claytonyoga.com.

 

 

 

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St. Louis Corporate Yoga Designs a Program that Fits Your Company’s Unique Needs

St. Louis Corporate Yoga began in 2001.  Michelle Maue, owner of Clayton Yoga, creator of St. Louis Corporate Yoga has taught over 5,000 corporate yoga classes throughout the metro St. Louis area.   Many of the St. Louis Corporate Yoga Instructors offer the best yoga classes available in the industry today.  These instructors are trained to work with and support every company uniquely, which in turn creates greater support, fun and ‘enlightening’ wellness and yoga classes.

Each week, our teachers bring fresh yoga handouts, student work sheets, and new lifestyle tips to engage and inspire students to open minds, and awakened hearts.  Rather than just simply teaching students a sequence, instructors with St. Louis Corporate Yoga get proactively involved in each student’s life and co-facilitate with them to seek out better and healthier lifestyle choices.   What people need today, Michelle Maue says is more “energy, confidence and joy”.  With this boost, employees make a shift toward the positive and for the long haul.

Corporate yoga revitalizes the immune system and the major organs of the body; removing waste products up to three times more quickly.  Improved immunity means less workdays lost through colds, fatigue and other non-specific illnesses.  Certainly, when students are encouraged to go at their own pace, they also quickly learn that when we give permission to make mistakes, we simply grow.  Then rather a chore, it becomes dynamic to look after and care of our mind, body and spirit.

The American Journal of Hypertension found that after a 5 minute period of stress induction, Yoga breathing exercises were shown to lower systolic blood pressure more quickly when compared to classical music and natural sounds.  http://yogamoment.com/yoga_benefits.html.

Regular on-site corporate yoga classes also develop greater self-esteem.  You come to feel good about yourself.  By carrying out demanding physical yoga postures, your confidence will grow-even after your first class.

Yoga also creates stronger bonds between the employees and staff.  When people take yoga classes together, they build better avenues of communication and trust between one another and have fun.

With more than 10 years of experience, we are aware that every company is different and requires a unique approach.  Implementing a corporate on-site wellness class requires just 1-2 hours per week investment and our classes are geared toward all level backgrounds and ability.  In addition, St. Louis Corporate Yoga saves you time by offering professional, courteous service.  To sign your company up for corporate on-site yoga classes, contact Michelle Maue at 314-630-1677 or through our Contact page.

 

 

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Workplace Yoga Programs that Best Fits Your Needs

St. Louis Corporate Yoga offers lots of benefits to corporations willing to invest in employee wellness programs.  Michelle Maue, owner of Clayton Yoga, creator of St. Louis Corporate Yoga and leader of Clayton Yoga Teacher Training has trained over 100 St. Louis corporate yoga instructors since 2001.  St. Louis Corporate Yoga Instructors offer the best yoga classes available in the industry today.

A study done at University of California at San Francisco has confirmed that stress really does age you.  According to Thomas Perls, MD, “it isn’t the amount of stress that matters, but how you manage it”.  (articles, “10 Secrets to a good, long life” July/Aug 2005 AARP, the magazine).

Corporate yoga revitalizes the immune system and the major organs of the body; removing waste products up to three times more quickly.  Improved immunity means less workdays lost through colds, fatigue and other non-specific illnesses.

Yoga calms and energizes the nervous, endocrine, and caridovascular system and awakens hidden reserves of energy and vitality.

Regular on-site corporate yoga classes also develop stronger bonds between the employees and staff.  When people take yoga classes together, they build better avenues of communication and trust between one another and have fun.

Tom Hinton, chief investigator for the U.S Federal Government started taking yoga for chronic lower back pain and found that “yoga helped me to detach from the problems, lower my stress and anxiety, push distractions away and increase my flexibility.  I also love the music and quiet soothing instruction.  I highly recommend St. Louis Corporate Yogato anyone”.

With more than 10 years of experience, we are aware that every company is different and requires a unique approach.  St. Louis Corporate Yoga saves time by offering professional, courteous service.

To sign your company up for corporate on-site yoga classes, contact Michelle Maue at 314-630-1677 or through our Contact page.

 

Reigniting Balance in Our Work Life With Yoga

Taking time to properly care for the self, helps us rebound more quickly from day to day life’s challenges.  In survey after survey, Americans identify stress as their number one health concern today.

More than 50% of adults in the U.S report high stress on a daily basis.  Untreated, stress can seriously affect performance. (http://www.mbmi.org).  Stress is like an enclosing wall all around us.  By training you in the art of single-pointedness, yoga immediately improves mental concentration and focus.

Yogic deep breathing and yoga stretches create a genuine sense of inner and outer space.  Tightening deadlines, conflict and other stresses will lose their grip as you learn to breathe and stand your ground.

Yoga physiologically transforms apathy and depression into happiness by oxygenating the brain and increasing the levels of endorphins in the blood.

In everyday work life, there are bound to be difficulties in the road ahead; the real key is how to maintain equanimity in the face of adversity.

In Yoga practice, we learn to develop longer, slower brain waves, which shift us from a sluggish tired state to a more energized, vital and awakened state. There we find hidden reserves of aliveness and experience greater ease throughout the entire workday. We come back to our desk after yoga class ready, alert, and available.

As Sandra, one of my corporate clients likes to say, “I am 57 and have been spending my whole life tying myself into knots, now I want to learn to untie them”.

When we stay calm, we create more balance in our lives, and stay connected to our greater goodwill.  There, even in the face of difficulties, we know we are inspiring by our own very example a more compassionate, open, strong and loving stance, ready to tackle any problem, and find just about any solution.

 

 

 

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Let’s Create Your Corporate Yoga Program

Our corporate yoga classes are not cookie cutter one size fits all.  It is our mission to better understand you, the company, with your unique set of needs and design a program that offers you the best corporate wellness solutions.

St. Louis Corporate Yoga offers a proven, practical, and easy to implement solution to help your company reap the benefits of offering corporate yoga class.  With corporate jobs’ increased reliance upon technology, yoga classes offer an excellent solution to improving energy and greater company morale.

We offer 3 different programs, one or two classes per week, lasting from 3 months long, to one year.  All programs are customized to your employees’ particular needs.

One of our happiest clients, Joe Hagen, Attorney with the U.S Court of Appeals, says “I attend the class during my lunch hours and while the workout is often strenuous, I don’t get sweaty and therefore am able to change and get right back to my desk.  I find it’s made a tremendous different in my quality of life”.

To create your corporate yoga wellness program, please contact Michelle Maue, at 314-630-1677 or send us a note through our Contact page.

 

We are The Experts in Corporate Yoga

For the past 10 years, St.Louis Corporate Yoga has been showing companies just how to reduce healthcare costs, improve employee morale and increase job productivity.

In that time, St. Louis Corporate Yoga has offered over 2,000 yoga wellness classes to over 800 yoga students.  We also instruct 8 corporate classes throughout the greater St. Louis metro area each week!

Workplace yoga also offers a better way for local business professionals to chill out at their desk, get into better shape, unwind and find greater productivity, all within their own workplace. Corporate Yoga also offers employees a chance to have greater energy, vitality, joy, and less back and neck pain. 

Would you like to get more information on how we can help your company and your employees? Please contact Michelle Maue at 314-630-1677 or through our Contact page.