We all know that regular exercise has physical benefits, but what we often fail to appreciate is the positive effects it has when it comes to our mental wellbeing. From improving mood, to alleviating stress and anxiety, getting in a daily workout does wonders for the mind and body.
Laura Pearce, as CEO of yoga mat company Kin Yoga Mats, and chief yogi at Yoga Fitness London, has worked with global organisations for many years, bringing her yoga-experience to offices in-house and giving life-evolving advice as a corporate wellness expert. With so much experience working with busy professionals, we asked her to give us the low-down on how yoga can be used to help to boost workplace productivity, and when to adopt wearable tech for an enhanced escape.
How yoga boosts your internal equilibrium
“The main effect yoga has on the body relates to the nervous system,” explains Laura. “Through controlled breathing, and meditative thinking, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the body’s counterbalancing system is activated when we are in a high stress, otherwise known as the ‘fight or flight’ state).
“This is super helpful for high-stress yogis who function with heaps of adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) in their system, and whose bodily functions such as digestion and sleep suffer as a result.”
She adds: “Immunity can be improved, with increased inflammation-fighting capacities one of yoga’s more recently discovered powerful benefits.”
How workplace yoga retains happy staff
“A number of progressive companies now offer exclusive wellness programs to their employees to maintain physical and mental health, and keep stress levels to a minimum,” says Laura. “Sedentary living is seen by some as more dangerous to general health than a poor diet or even smoking.
“Companies are starting to see real tangible benefits from their corporate wellness programmes, particularly in America where a healthy workforce equals less money spent on health care.
“One study by the Harvard Business Review found that for every dollar invested in wellness, companies average a return of $2.71 by way of increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and reduced healthcare cost.”
How yoga boosts your productivity
“Firstly it elevates company culture and cohesion; workers with wellness programs are far less likely to have high sick or burn-out levels, they have more energy and tend to have positive attitudes,” she tells us. “Secondly it improves retention, recruitment, and subsequent engagement with management who promote wellness programmes.
“Lastly, classes such as yoga and pilates are super inclusive, they’re for everyone. It can be adapted to benefit people of all ages and experiences.”
What can wearable tech do for your yoga experience?
“I use noise cancelling headphones with many of my corporate clients for mindfulness, meditation and sleep workshops, as workplace sessions can sometimes have a bit of background noise, and they really help us mentally to leave the office and zenify,” Laura tells us. “Some studios even offer teacherless sound driven meditations, using wireless headphones and just a recording.”
Discover the technology behind Laura’s Kin Yoga Mats.
Improve your yoga sessions with Galaxy Buds
Relax your mind, body and soul by using Galaxy Buds to listen to your favourite playlists in your next yoga session. Find out more here.
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