align Corporate Yoga & Wellness programs

“You have to train and manage your mind to maintain happiness and success throughout your lifetime. By always keeping your mind fresh, you are unlocking the key to true happiness and success.”

– T. Harv Eker

At Align, we provide various styles of yoga and other core class styles that we can tailor to your particular office needs. Workplace yoga and wellness programs are a wonderful way for your employees to rejuvenate, relieve aching muscles and restore their bodies. Most importantly, it is a space for overactive and overburdened minds to access a pocket of peace.

What You Can Expect from a successful corporate yoga and wellness program

Where employees are made to feel like their employer cares about their well-being, the culture of that office will significantly improve and the company will see a myriad of positive effects as a result. To name a few, you can expect staff retention rates to stabilise, higher productivity levels, as well as employees that are more motivated to turn up to work and who perceive your business to be the business of choice. Numerous reports and studies have proven that wellness programs deliver results to any organisation that successfully implements one. For more information on the benefits and the WHY behind corporate wellness programs, click here.

How it works

If your workplace is interested in running regular yoga sessions or other wellness classes for its employees, there are typically a few steps that first need to be taken. At Align, we can be there throughout your decision making process to help you resolve any questions or uncertainties during this first phase.

STEP ONE - The required Space

The first step is usually to identify a space in your office where the classes can be held. Generally, boardrooms, conference rooms or large office spaces that can be available for approximately an hour at the same time or times each week are sufficient for this purpose. Other potential options are utilising nearby parks or renting a space in a nearby studio (which is also something Align can assist with). If required, we will take care of setting up the room prior to class (including removing tables and chairs) and returning the room to its normal state once finished.

It is not always possible to find a room with perfect conditions and yoga/wellness classes can be held in a myriad of settings. As a guide, it is ideal for office yoga to take place in a room that has natural light and preferably with the option to dim any strong fluorescent lights. It is also preferable that the room is clear of distractions and external noise and that there is space for removing furniture where required.

We can advise on your available spaces if you are still uncertain where your corporate wellness classes can be held or if you are unsure the space is large enough for your group.

STEP TWO – Timing of Yoga & Wellness Classes

When you have identified one or a number of areas that your office classes can be held in, you will also need to determine the number of interested employees and gauge their availability and preferences for class times. It often a good idea to offer a few different options for time slots and to have employees provide their feedback.

Corporate yoga and wellness classes can be run at any time of the day. Typically, corporate offices find that early morning classes (before 9am), lunchtime classes (between 11:30am and 2:30pm) or evening classes (after 5pm) are most suitable. Your office culture will largely determine what time is best.

When practiced in the early morning, yoga and exercise has a wonderful ability to kick-start the body and mind - setting participants up for their day ahead by producing a clear, focused and energetic mind. Alternatively, if your office culture is one where people tend to work until late at night, the better option for class times is likely going to be lunchtime or early afternoon.

Practicing in the middle of the working day can pose some challenges as employees are asked to switch from work brain to yoga brain and people can be held back in meetings or last minute work emergencies. There are, however, many benefits of a daytime practice in that it is a great way to break up the working day, get people out of their chairs and restore the body and mind for the afternoon/evening ahead. In fact, many studies have proven that any form of yoga, meditation or exercise in the daytime helps to reduce the risks of disease and poor health posed by a sedentary lifestyle as well as instilling an attitude of positive and healthy lifestyle choices by those who commit to their practice.

STEP THREE – Employee Experience

In this initial phase, it may also be useful to understand your employees’ prior experience of yoga and/or Pilates or other similar practices. People who have done a lot of Pilates or yoga will have greater body awareness for the core class styles that we teach, as opposed to a person who has never before done any yoga or Pilates. This will assist us in determining which styles of yoga may be most appropriate for your office. A survey can greatly assist in the process as it helps us to understand your employees, their experiences, health history and what they feel they need to focus on most in terms of their mind + body health.

STEP FOUR – Who will pay?

Once you have confirmed all of the above, you will then also want to consider whether the company will fund the entire wellness program or whether you will ask for a contribution from employees. Sometimes it may be a good idea to ask for an upfront contribution from your employees (such as a token $5 or $10 class fee) to both secure a commitment from your staff and to also assist them in making that commitment to themselves. The benefit of the company funding the entire program is that it shows to its employees that the company cares about and is 100% committed to their employees' health and happiness. It is a way for employees to feel truly valued and supported by the organisation, which in turn creates satisfied and grateful employees who are more motivated to work. 

STEP FIVE – Class styles and frequency

In consultation with us, it will also be necessary to determine number of classes per week and styles of yoga or wellness classes that will best suit your corporate culture and goals for your organisation. With a multitude of class styles to choose from, your group should be able to find one that is suitable for their varying experience, wellness goals and physical fitness levels. In addition, if your group is interested in more than just yoga, it might be useful to devise a holistic wellness program combining yoga with some of our other core class styles.

STEP SIX – Mats and Equipment

You will need to determine whether to arrange for mats and other equipment prior to the start date. Depending on the class styles your organisation ultimately agrees upon, you may also wish to organise equipment such as blocks and straps for your group that can be stored in the office. For instance, beginners or people who are carrying injuries will greatly benefit from the use of yoga props so that they can modify for their bodies and access a greater variety of poses. Yin Yoga is also a style that greatly benefits from yoga props, allowing a greater variety of postures to be accessed in long, deep holds. Bbarre Less and Pilates are also enhanced with just a few extra pieces of equipment, such a hand weights.

Corporate wellness programs are far more successful where employees don’t have to think too much about the finer details, such as remembering mats or equipment for class each day/week. We recommend that employers store mats and equipment in a space where they can be easily accessed prior to class so that there is no hassle or obligation upon the staff member other than to just show up!

At Align, we will consult with you to help you determine the best mat and/or equipment options for your office and arrange for those mats and/or equipment pieces o be delivered to you.

STEP SEVEN – Commitment

“Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.” – Billy Cox

Once a start date, class time/s and style/s have been determined, a minimum term three-month contract is confirmed for the yoga or wellness program. At Align, our goal is to have a positive impact on the health and happiness of the individuals involved in our programs, which is why we ask for a minimum three-month commitment to regular weekly classes. Good health and transformation cannot be achieved with only a casual attendance rate. It requires people to step outside of their comfort zones and regularly commit to their practice for a sustained period. Only then will employees get results, and will your organisation then benefit from its investment.  

Please click here to submit a request for more information about our wellness programs or simply call Dwana on 0411 364 406 to book your corporate yoga and wellness program today.