Introduce your team to yoga
Corporate yoga has many benefits. It helps your employees relax, it strengthens the team spirit, and what's more, everyone can participate. Gina GuldenaarZekerArbo): "The grassroots image is long outdated."
The United Nations has declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. Many yoga sessions are organized worldwide on the day of the summer solstice. "It's a great time to introduce your team to yoga," says Gina Guldenaar. She has been enthusiastic about yoga for years. As SME project leader at Zorg van de Zaak, she knows all about working fit and vital in business.
"Yoga is a great way to relax after a busy work day or on break," she says. "It helps you balance, relax and get stronger."
On your own
She emphasizes that anyone can participate. "There is no judgment involved in yoga; everyone can do it in their own way. A yoga teacher can help do exercises in a way that suits your body."
She finds that more and more people are becoming enthusiastic about yoga. "The haywire image is long gone," says Guldenaar. "In my yoga class there are people of all ages with all different backgrounds. Everyone has their own goals and does it at their own pace."
Does part of your team work remotely? Digital or hybrid yoga classes are also available. Because everyone can participate, it is also great for team building.
Yoga day in your company
International Yoga Day is therefore on Zorg van de Zaak's SME FiT calendar. This is a tool for paying attention to the physical and mental health of your team throughout the year. The abbreviation FiT stands for Functioning in the Future. The FiT calendar contains dates related to sustainable employability and vitality of your team.
If you choose set days throughout the year to work on vitality, it reduces the chance that it will slip by during busy times. "In stressful periods, sports and relaxation are extra important," says Guldenaar. "So I always advise entrepreneurs to request and personalize the free fit calendar. Choose the moments that suit your team yourself. I recommend paying extra attention to such a fit moment at least once a month."
Yoga on the job: fun and not mandatory
During Yoga Day, for example, you can host a yoga workshop at your place of business. Guldenaar: "Don't make it mandatory, but above all fun and approachable to participate."
If you like it, you can organize corporate yoga more often or give employees discounts on yoga classes. Another option are short yoga sessions during breaks. This gives employees relaxation and stress relief in the middle of the day. There are also online yoga subscriptions, which allow employees to take classes at their own time and location.
Relaxed and balanced
Guldenaar discovered yoga years ago during a vacation in Spain. Previously she exercised very actively, but she always had to take into account a physical limitation to her back. "Intensive sports became more and more difficult, my body was out of balance," she says. "I noticed it went better on vacation. I was more relaxed then."
She first tried yoga on the beach. "I noticed it calmed my mind and made my body more balanced," she says. "Then I started doing yoga at home as well. That has good impact on my workday. I went to yoga yesterday and as a result I am sitting much better in my chair today. Also, I have a cleared head."
Furthermore, yoga helps her cope with her chronic back pain. "I am more aware of my body's signals," she says. "Overcompensating or ignoring symptoms, I don't do that anymore. In short, yoga helps me stay healthy in many ways."
