Restore. Renew. Support.
Corporate Wellbeing in Norwich
Enhance Workplace Wellness with Yoga
Do you, your colleagues, or your employees ever experience:
Sitting at a desk for hours?
Feeling lethargic and sluggish?
Suffering from back pain, neck pain, or headaches?
Dealing with stress?
Feeling overwhelmed by deadlines?
Taking numerous sick days?
Finding your mind wandering from tasks?
Getting easily frustrated with work, colleagues, or customers?
If so, the solution is simple: Yoga. It Works!
The Power of Yoga in the Workplace
Yoga, an ancient system of health and wellbeing that incorporates breathing exercises and physical postures, offers numerous benefits that can significantly improve workplace wellness. Here’s how:
Back Pain Relief
Back pain is a common issue, with 119 million working days lost annually in the UK alone due to this condition. Current research supports yoga's effectiveness in reducing chronic lower back pain. A regular yoga practice strengthens the back muscles, enhances flexibility, and improves posture, which can lead to a substantial reduction in back pain and fewer missed workdays.
Mental Health Improvement
Depression and anxiety are significant concerns in the modern workplace. Yoga can play a vital role in mental health by enhancing mood and emotional balance. Research indicates that regular yoga practice can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by increasing the levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter associated with relaxation and reduced anxiety .
Boosted Immunity and Overall Health
Yoga revitalises the immune system and the major organs, aiding in the removal of toxins such as alcohol up to three times more quickly. Improved immunity means fewer days lost to colds, fatigue, and other illnesses. A healthier workforce is a more productive workforce.
Enhanced Cognitive Function and Problem-Solving Skills
Yoga harmonises the left and right hemispheres of the brain, fostering both logical and creative thinking. This balance can lead to improved problem-solving skills and increased innovation. Employees may find themselves having more frequent flashes of inspiration and better decision-making abilities.
Stress Reduction
Stress is a major contributor to employee burnout and decreased productivity. Yoga has been shown to reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation and mindfulness. Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and gentle stretching help lower cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone. This can lead to a calmer, more focused, and resilient workforce .
Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
People work better when they feel good about themselves. Successfully executing demanding physical yoga postures can boost confidence and self-esteem. Even after just one class, employees often feel a sense of achievement that translates into their professional life, enhancing their overall performance.
Recent research conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has shown promising results for hot yoga as a treatment for anxiety and depression. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, researchers found that participants with moderate-to-severe depression who engaged in heated yoga sessions experienced significant reductions in their depressive symptoms compared to a control group. Over eight weeks, participants attended 90-minute Bikram yoga classes held in a 105°F (40°) room. The results were striking: 59.3% of yoga participants had a 50% or greater decrease in symptoms, and 44% of them achieved remission status, compared to only 6.3% in the waitlist control group (Harvard Gazette) (Massachusetts General Hospital) (Psychiatrist.com).
Integrating yoga into the workplace is a powerful strategy to enhance employee wellness, reduce absenteeism, and foster a more positive, productive work environment. Encourage your team to embrace yoga and witness the transformative benefits it brings to both individuals and the organisation as a whole.
Corporate Yoga Services
Workplace Wellbeing Norwich
Abby or one of her colleagues can come to the workplace and offer a range of classes, one-to-one's or advisory sessions on how to use yoga in the workplace. Services range from;
An hourly yoga session tailored to meet the needs and time constraints of staff, available as a trial or regular slot
One or Two-hour workshops to promote team building and self-esteem. Themes include "Peaceful Warrior- using yoga to resolve conflict", "Bonding through Bending - working together better"
Oasis - a 1.5-hour workshop designed to teach staff relaxation and meditation techniques. It also promotes well-being and self-esteem.
A complete list is available on request.
Sessions can be held at your workplace or for larger groups in our beautiful central Norwich studio.
About Abby
Abby has taught in numerous corporate environments and herself has spent many years working at a large publishing company in London, where she saw first-hand the effects of stress in the workplace. Her corporate clients over the years have included; Manning Gottlieb Media, Norwich City Football Club and Virgin Money.
She has also taught yoga in many health clubs and leisure centres in London and Norwich as well as teaching for Hotpod Yoga Norwich for the last two years, and has built up a loyal following for her weekly yoga classes and courses. She is a fully qualified Yoga Instructor, accredited and insured at a Senior level through the Yoga Alliance UK. She also holds a BA (Hons) in Dance Studies, a postgraduate diploma in Dance Science (akin to Sports Science) and a doctorate exploring the benefits of yoga for dancers from Middlesex University.