This project was initiated by a team leader at Cisco to introduce concepts of mindfulness and strategies for self care for his global tech team. He was especially interested in applying the concepts of yoga and included this presentation as a part of a full day of team building activities that included self care, team networking and community volunteering. Increasing news, social media and research highlight the value of yoga as a method of self-care. Advances in technology have made us available at all hours, and our abilities to manage the increasing demands on our time have not evolved as quickly. Medical Therapeutic Yoga (MTY) integrates the ancient practice of yoga with current scientific evidence, and can be used as a model for successful self-care in and out of the workplace. The Mind-Body Workplace Wellness workshop uses MTY principles beyond asana and a practical approach to self care for any workplace environment.

As I near completion of my graduation requirements of the PYTI program, I’m reflecting on the impact of each phase of our training. One of the most daunting and exciting aspects of the program is completing the community project. Having the option to do nearly anything may be liberating for some, but I found it overwhelming. My usual process is as follows: Consider and reject something ‘too easy,’ eventually become obsessed by ‘the grand idea,’ bite off more than I can chew, forego sanity and reason to complete said project to pull it off at great expense, promise myself never to do it again. Then, do it again.
Knowing this, I considered many ideas for my Module 13 project, the wiser version of myself drawn to being practical; the lofty side distracted by shiny visions of the Best Project Ever. Not having a deadline further challenged me and I was left with my usual fall back plan- procrastination. Sometimes the universe intervenes and you get a little gift. For me, it was a friend who reached out to see if I would be willing to present to his team on workplace wellness as part of a team-building day and suddenly, my project was born. I was excited about the topic and felt it was manageable- win-win!
I had an hour- which, it turns out, goes quickly. As I was preparing, I found myself led down the familiar path of flashy vs. functional. I knew it was a risk to fit in all of the components I had planned, but felt the reward was worth it to go for it.
The reception was positive! Everyone appeared engaged throughout and receptive to holistic strategies to moderate their mindset at work. Incorporation of brief flow and music was also well received, and there were good questions afterward. There was one participant who seemed to be frustrated toward the end of the flow. I found myself wondering how I could have made her experience better. Learning often takes place when things don’t go as planned. Minor site-related glitches (lack of a handheld slide advancer, screen saver) limited the impact of the color slides during asana. Content and format changes would make the biggest impact. I would instruct 2-3 poses (no flow) with incorporation of color, sound, smell each for stimulation and calming. Asana flow could be added for classes 90+ minutes.
Overall, I loved my project and am happy I can identify things to improve it. I was excited to do it, had fun with it and felt successful even if things didn’t go exactly as planned. Most importantly, I learned that there is grandness in small things if they are meaningful and done with attention to detail and care for the outcome.