With more and more businesses becoming more consciously aware of their duty of care with regards to employee health and wellbeing, employers are seeking new and different ways to encourage their workforce to look after their physical and mental health.

One way to promote health and wellness in the workplace is to offer a class such as Yoga or Mindfulness Meditation during a lunchtime or straight after work. 

Yoga is known for its health benefits, this is nothing new. But just 10 years ago, an employer offering yoga classes to employees as a way of supporting wellness, was practically unheard of here in the UK. The good news is things are now changing.

Here are a few good reasons to consider (or convince your boss into) offering Yoga classes as part of an employee wellness scheme:

1 – Yoga improves overall health which can result in needing to take less sick days.

2 – Improved mental clarity and function. Taking the time out to focus on breath and relaxation techniques gives the central nervous system a well needed break.

3 – Stress reduction. People who practice yoga regularly report feeling more able to handle stressful situations without feeling overwhelmed. 

4 – A regular yoga practice can help to reduce anxiety and mild depression.

5 – Yoga improves relationships with self and others, which can lead to a more harmonious working environment.

6 – The physical and psychological benefits of Yoga are scientifically proven and Yoga is recommended by many doctors worldwide because of these benefits.

A lunchtime session would typically be either 45mins to 1 hour, depending on the generosity of the company in terms of time-out being allowed. Some companies purchase the equipment and store it for employees to make use of, whereas others ask participants to bring their own mats. 

Having worked in some very miserable, toxic, and unhealthy office environments myself, I can look back and see that had my employers cared more about wellness and less about pushing us to achieve targets, our targets would have been more easily reached had we felt cared for and appreciated. 

Healthier, happier employees makes for a more productive, harmonious working environment which is a win-win for everyone involved. 

If you would like to learn more or you are interested in hiring me for workplace Yoga sessions either online or in the Plymouth, Devon/Cornwall area, please get in touch.