How the Fundamentals of Yoga Apply to Work

Have you ever hit that 2 o’clock slump? And I’m not just referring to 2PM. We all know late nights are not a rarity for entrepreneurs. Even when you try to sleep, your mind races with every opportunity to capitalize on or problem to tackle; you sort through your short list, your long list, and your wish list daily. You know your health is important, however your business takes precedent. What you quickly forget is how the benefits of fitness can actually benefit you in your business. We turn to our RenewU yoga pros, Fiona Green and Andrea Restivo, to remind us how we can apply our yoga practice to everyday life and why it’s so important to breathe.

1. Meditation gives you perspective

When you’re overwhelmed with projects or frustrated with a co-worker you become so entrenched in certain feelings that your mind shuts out other ways of doing things or another way of seeing things. Doing a short meditation allows you to come back to problems with a fresh and clearer take on them. Giving yourself that distance from problem prevents you from being reactionary or making an emotional or personal decision. 

2. Breathing re-focuses the mind

In yoga, you focus on your breath to help you conquer challenging poses and deepen your practice. Taking ten minutes out of your day to breathe or breathe and stretch will send fresh oxygen to your brain and muscles and refocuses the mind. Giving yourself that time "to be quiet" allows you to clear your mind and let go of thoughts or irritations that might be standing in your way.

3. Short, deep relaxation boosts energy

We all know exercise, in general, gives you more energy. If you can’t sneak a 30 minute workout in to your day, take 5-10 minutes for shavasna- even if it’s at your desk. Deep relaxation can equate to the same rejuvenation as seen in sleep. Just make sure to set a timer.

4. Yoga builds confidence, which builds success

When you’re challenged by pose, you don’t just give up and never attempt that pose again. Every practice you get a little closer and you become more confident from your progress until you succeed. We are so hard on ourselves about the final outcome being successful that we forget to see the benchmarks on the way. To build your confidence, take a second to acknowledge those small successes that are getting you closer to your goals and then, of course, continue pushing toward that goal- you might even attain it quicker with this extra boost of confidence.

5. Practice acceptance  

Yoga is all about finding uncomfortable thresholds within you and learning how to accept them to grow. It reminds you to not judge yourself or others too harshly. Understanding that everyone has different strengths and are at different stages of development will help you build a team and manage groups of people. You have to remember that one size does not fit all.

Whether it’s yoga or another form of fitness, what you do on the mat is what you do off the mat. When you start to incorporate these fundamental principles into your life, you will find yourself being a better friend, a better employee and an all around better person. You will have clarity and the ability to perform in high stress situations; however, just as flexibility doesn’t happen overnight, using these tools takes awareness and practice.

Special thanks to Breana Allison, Head of Marketing & Business Development at RenewU

Photo credit to Evan Krebsbach.