You may be convinced that a yoga program would be a valuable addition to your wellness program or a welcome stand-alone benefit for employees. What are the significant points to consider, and what are the necessary steps to take, to put a successful program in place?
- Create the right setting
While paying for off-site classes is certainly an option, if you have an appropriate space, on-site classes offer the advantages of accessibility and saved time. Limited time is often cited as the greatest obstacle to participation in any exercise program. Since yoga need not leave participants wringing wet, changing from business attire to workout gear and back again can be a quick and simple affair. Lunchtime classes are practical, as students can devote nearly the entire hour directly to the practice. However, some provision must be made for participants to eat afterward. Since it is best to avoid eating anything substantial for at least two hours before yoga, many students eat lunch at their desks as they start back to work after class.
Yoga, except those styles that make extensive use of props, does not require much equipment, so there is no need for additional space to store anything at your facility. Each participant can easily bring all items needed only on class days. A checklist of the most common props is provided at the end of this article.
A conference room, or any extra room on premises, can make an adequate yoga space. The room temperature should be around 70 degrees or warmer. Since the classes will involve deepening the breath, the room should be free of dust or contaminants such as air fresheners, insecticides or chemical cleaners. The room should be quiet and afford the group some privacy. Ideally, the instructor should be able to dim or turn off the lights.
The floor surface, as long as it is even, is not critical for most styles. Participants can bring a mat and, if necessary, use a blanket for additional padding.
- Evaluate teachers’ credentials
Once you have decided whether it is feasible to hold the classes on-site, it’s time to search for a teacher. The most obvious way to locate a teacher is to call local yoga studios. However, if you plan to host the program at your worksite, don’t overlook the possibility of finding an independent teacher who has experience in a workplace setting.
Teachers’ credentials vary widely, and the only way to know what an individual’s training and experience levels are is to ask. Has the instructor learned solely through experience, or has he or she had formal training? If the teacher did have formal training, what is the extent of that training?
Having a certificate to teach yoga can mean any level of education from a single weekend workshop to hundreds of hours of structured training. While there are some excellent teachers with thousands of hours of valuable experience who have never completed a lengthy formal training program, I would have reservations about choosing someone with little formal training unless their experience is quite extensive. Quantifying experience in terms of hours as well as years can provide a clearer picture of expertise, due to differences in full and part-time work. It is worth your time to ask very specific questions in this area.
One good resource is the Yoga Alliance (www.yogaalliance.org), which sets training standards for teachers and schools and maintains a registry of teachers who have met those standards.
- Choose a yoga style
In addition to inquiring about a teacher’s credentials, ask if he or she teaches a particular style of yoga. While teachers can modify poses to suit an individual student, some styles of yoga are inherently more strenuous than others. A young, very fit group desiring a vigorous workout may enjoy a strenuous style such as Ashtanga, Power Yoga, or one of the more challenging flow styles. However, these styles would probably not be among the best choices if the participants have not exercised regularly, are older, or have some health concerns. And, just as with any exercise program, participants should check with their doctors before beginning yoga classes.
- Set the proper schedule
While it is possible to start your workplace yoga program offering one class per week, I have found that results and motivation seem to improve significantly when a second class per week is added. Also, if a student must miss a class due to an especially busy day or business travel, offering a second weekly yoga session means an opportunity for that student to work in at least one practice session that week.
Yoga is a calming, health-promoting practice that offers myriad advantages for body and mind. As individuals benefit, the company wins as well, because the sense of joy and well-being students feel in their classes is associated with the employer providing them that nurturing experience.—E.B.N.
Twila Stevens is a Registered Yoga Teacher ® in Corpus Christi, Texas, who designs and conducts workplace yoga programs. She can be contacted at yogawellnessteacher@yahoo.com.
Yoga Props Checklist
Most styles of yoga do not require much equipment. The items used in the practice are referred to as props. Check with the teacher for specific recommendations. Students should be able to get basic versions of the following props for a total of approximately $120.
Yoga Sticky Mat
Blanket
2 Yoga Blocks
1 Yoga Strap
Eye Cover
