It is nothing new for an employer to provide discounted or even paid athletic club membership to its employees.  What was once thought to be an incredible benefit, however, misses the mark in achieving what it set out to do - make happier, healthier employees.  Why?  Simply because the benefit, or, in this case, the membership tends to be significantly underused. Women over the age of 20 make up roughly 85% of the work force* (over 56% of all US women are mothers**) , and do not have the extra time to get to the gym before or after work.  Men, likewise, if not already on a fixed exercise routine, tend not to begin one, if it means encroaching on their already crowded schedules. 

To try and get to a gym or club during lunch is unmanageable for most of these hard-working individuals.

HOW TO INCORPORATE YOGA INTO YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT
I - Incorporating and making a daily Yoga Practice available to employees is something that is easy for employers to do, and makes good management sense.  Most Yoga instructors work as freelance contractors, and are available to offer special on-sight classes to your employees, often at convenient off-peak or before/after work hours.  They can come to your office premises, offering the class in a conference room or courtyard (if weather permits) or un-used space. Or,  often times, spas and clubs offering Yoga classes are willing to designate an early morning or after work class exclusively for your employees.  Keep in mind, employees are more apt, by far, to attend yoga classes if they do not have to drive or go out of their way to get there. 

II - If you are an employee that needs to find a way to release the daily stress of life and work, but you find yourself in a work environment that cannot facilitate Yoga classes for the entire organization, you may want to organize something on your own.  This is relatively simple.  You must get permission or the green-light from a supervisor and/or the Director of Human Resources in your organization, in order to get a group of people together regularly and utilize an un-used space or outdoor courtyard, etc... You will find most employers, corporations, businesses are open to any ideas that might improve morale and employee health / well-being, especially if it is proposed in that manner. 

III - New to Yoga, and don't know where to begin?  Be honest with your group of colleagues and co-workers about this, and make it an adventure for all!  You may want to set it up so others can try their hand at leading the group, or rotating that part of it.  Be sure to start with some basic relaxation for about 3 minutes, be sure everyone is BREATHING (people tend to stop breathing, or shorten their breath when they are doing something new), and then move into a few Sun Salutations.  Sun Salutations are series of about 12 yoga postures in sequence together.  They are fantastic for lengthening and strengthening all of the muscle groups, and parts of the body. They can be used as a warm up or a total body workout.  There is a great sample of one at www.yangsandover.com (which you can repeat 5-10 times, or as much as you would like) in short video clip form.  Click Here to go there. Once you have done the decided number of Sun Salutations, be sure to end in relaxation.  I would first come into sitting posture (crossed legged, with hands rested on knees), then move into "corpse" or "dead body" pose. If the link above does not take you where you'd like, try incorporating the sample practice offered on each of our Yoga pages, which can be viewed in part on our YOGA 4-1-1 page. It can be shared with friends and co-workers alike, and you can email us for assistance in getting things going, or with any questions about your yoga practice!  Click our "contact" button at the bottom of any page! Good luck restoring and maintaining your healthy life!