Yog@Work: Many Options to Consider
Tucker Ellis & West LLP: Lunchtime Yoga
The McGregor Home: Yoga for Residents
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THE YOGA CONNECTION
Take Your Yoga to Work!
Imagine bringing an Atma Center yoga class to your workplace – the luxury of an early morning, lunchtime or after-work session without having to go anywhere! Yog@Work is one of Atma Center’s “best kept secrets.” Since its inception in 2004, this program has served dozens of area workplaces from schools to assisted living facilities to law firms. Yoga classes and workshops are designed to fit the special needs of the workplace and its staff or clients. We are asking for your input and assistance in reaching out to more workplaces in the community. Perhaps you are in an administrative role or are simply willing to organize a class as an employee. Please let us know if there is interest where you work or where a family member works. Just provide contact information so the Yog@Work Coordinator can follow up. A $25 Atma Center Gift Card is yours for a successful referral!
Yog@Work: Many Options to Consider
Since stress is often internalized as tension and pain in the joints and muscles, yoga poses bring both physical and mental relief. Restoring focus for mental tasks requiring concentration is a positive “side effect” of all practices - - yoga postures, meditation, breath techniques and deep relaxation. The Yog@Work Program can be customized to match the unique requirements and conditions of your workplace, staff or clients. Possible formats include:
- Stressbuster Yoga: Once or twice weekly classes to end or “break” the day with practices that balance the mind and release accumulated physical and mental tension.
- Mid-Day “Yoga Nap:” A half hour Satyananda Yoga Nidra™ break before lunch to refresh, restore, and generally recharge the body and mind.
- Practical Yoga for Office Staff: A customized workshop offering a “toolbox” of simple stretches, breath practices and relaxation techniques that can be used in the office to enhance focus, clear the mind and serve as refreshing mini-breaks during the workday.
- Prevention & Relief of Workplace Injury: Several topics may be addressed in a workshop format or as the theme for ongoing classes:
- prevention and relief of injuries or conditions like CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) or cervical neuropathy (causing neck pain)
- upper body strength & alignment to develop healthier postural habits
- back care basics for overall safety when engaging in long hours of standing, sitting at computers, or lifting and transporting patients or heavy objects on the job.
Tucker Ellis & West LLP: Lunchtime Yoga
Here’s how some of the students at the law firm of Tucker Ellis & West describe the benefits they’ve received from more than four years of Yog@Work:
I enjoy the yoga at lunchtime. It couldn’t be more convenient, absolutely perfect! I go back to work refreshed. I’ve had a chance to de-stress and stretch out. It makes the afternoon much better.
The program has taught me a lot of stretching exercises and things I can use at home.
When I went for my checkup with my Doctor, he said I have more motion than people my age normally do. I’m more flexible, too, all from once a week! He was very pleased and I’m very pleased!
It’s the convenience. And, I can draw from it. Like the stretching that helps me when I’m doing other exercises.
I think as far as injury is concerned, the yoga helps me realign myself, especially my back. We’re all basically sedentary
during the day and this really helps, allows us to manipulate and move our
bodies, to counteract bad posture. I’ve learned to sit up straighter and am aware of how I’m sitting now.
I really enjoy the yoga classes, because I am more motivated. I like very much to do it up here because I’m not really into it at home. I never find the time. I know that giving up my lunchtime for yoga is really beneficial to me. I learn a lot about movement, about my body, about how to focus. It’s really important to do.
The group is good for us. It’s hard to do [yoga] on our own. And it’s small, too. Martha really watches us and makes sure we’re on track. She gives us the feedback we need.
The McGregor Home: Yoga for the Residents
At McGregor, Yog@Work provides participants with two classes a week as part of their busy schedule of activities. Students offer some comments about their yoga experience there:
Yoga is great! I feel so relaxed when I leave here – loose as a goose!
Even though it’s chair yoga, it moves me towards a cardio workout. I have a damaged heart and need that. I’m much more agile, more balanced, walk better, and I breathe correctly.
It’s making me more aware of this body as it’s aging. Now I’m giving my body more time, getting on with this late stage of my life.
We have a good teacher. That makes all the difference! We feel motivated and safe. She reminds us to find the good feelings when we relax, after we finish.
I feel like I’m working, but I know I ‘m improving little by little.
Chair Yoga at McGregor Home
This newsletter is provided to you by the Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. [216-371-9760 www.atmacenter.com] The Atma Center is one of four places authorized worldwide to offer advanced training in Satyananda Yoga through Yogic Studies and Teacher Training courses.