Yoga for the Office
I developed a class called Yoga for the Office, which I have offered to groups since January of 2009. Initially, I wanted to design a class that would help technical writers like me, who work at the computer all day and are subject to sore eyes, necks, shoulders, backs, arms, and wrists. Then I realized that these areas would be prone to soreness and stiffness for anyone who works at a computer or typewriter, or even possibly at a piano! Conforming our bodies to machines or pianos takes its toll, even with the most ergonomically appropriate workspace. So I broadened the focus from technical writers to office workers in general.
The class is a gentle and revitalizing yoga program that can be done anywhere, including at the office, with no special clothing or equipment required. Absolutely no experience is necessary. This one-hour session, appropriate for any fitness level, will show you some simple yoga breathing and postures that you can do at your office—even in business clothing—to revitalize yourself during your work day, bringing energy and suppleness into your body, focusing your mind, and easing tension from your eyes and neck. I also include a five-minute refresher exercise that’s great to do at home at the end of the work day. I provide a take-to-work Yoga Handout that you can use to practice the poses after the class is over.
On January 20, 2009 I taught the Yoga for the Office class to a group of 25 people at the STC’s January program meeting. It went really well. It was a thrill to teach to many people who had never tried yoga before, to help them feel the benefits of it for themselves. The treasurer of the chapter told me it made her headache go away, and the public relations person said her shoulder ache disappeared. In addition, people reported experiencing freshness and clarity of mind due to the breathing we did. I was very pleased with how the class turned out. I was asked to teach the class again to help our technical writer membership get a fresh start for 2010. This class was held on January 19, 2010, and the participants left with some great tools for easing tension and bringing relaxation into their lives.
I offer this one-hour workshop to offices in the Lower Mainland. Please let me know if you’re interested! You can reach me at 604.251.6337.
I am a certified and registered yoga instructor, and spent a year as a volunteer teaching yoga to youth in prison. I’ve also taught yoga to seniors in Merritt. I enjoy teaching people who are new to yoga. I am certified and registered through Yoga Alliance and YogaBC.
