3 Things to Know When Hiring a Worksite Yoga Instructor

Be-aware of the Difference Between Corporate and Traditional Yoga Classes

The number of employers offering Yoga classes at work has doubled within the past several years (1,2). And it’s no wonder. Yoga addresses multiple workplace wellness needs—counters stress, improves low back pain, aides in weight loss, and, according to the CDC, can increase productivity (1,3). In addition to the myriad of benefits of onsite classes (see blog post “Trending: Yoga at Work”), the relative ease and low cost of this wellness offering makes it accessible for businesses of all sizes and demographics. But before hiring your employee’s newly certified friend, there are a few things you, the employer, need to know.

Employer Be-aware

Having been in the business of onsite fitness for 12 years, FIT2order has learned a “thing or two” about the nuances and modifications needed for worksite classes to be safe, effective, and doable for the employees and compliant for the employer.

1. The Basics: Certification and Insurance

First, there’s the obvious. The instructor should hold a national yoga certification. Beware of online or weekend certifications—fitness is an unregulated industry and there are plenty of fly-by-night programs. The most recognized is through Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance offers 200-hour and 500-hour certifications—the 200-hour program provides adequate training via local studios including anatomy, pose breakdowns and sequencing. Most Yoga certifications do NOT require CPR/AED certification, so be sure the instructor maintains this as well.

Whether through a wellness company or solo practitioner, the type and amount of insurance may be a consideration not only for your company, but also for your landlord. Many companies and real estate management companies require a COI for onsite programs, with specific minimum requirements.[insert amount of insurance here]

2. The Type of Yoga

There are several styles, traditions and combinations of Yoga. Each studio that holds a Yoga Alliance-approved teacher certification offers a different spin or lineage of the practice. Some are more physical, incorporating advanced poses in their sequences; some are more spiritual; and some are more alignment-based. From Iyengar to Bikram to Hatha to Therapeutic and mixes thereof, be sure to have an understanding of the type of class your instructor plans to offer. Better yet, survey your employees’ interest and experience before interviewing your candidates to vet their ability and comfort zone in addressing your demographic. And communicate these results to the instructor-candidate.

3. The Transition from Studio to Worksite

If your instructor has no worksite yoga experience, she’s probably taught in a studio or gym setting—which are often contrasting environments to yours. At a studio, instructors may include any of the following in their class, which, while appropriate for the studio members, can be legal and relational worksite “red flags:”

• Starting the class by asking if anyone is pregnant or has a condition that might require special attention
• Wearing skimpy yoga tank and tights
• Reading quotes from religious figures
• Giving hands-on adjustments that go too far
• Using misunderstood Sanskrit language and chants
• Calling out participants for their needed modifications
• Adding an extra 5 minutes of savasana (ending relaxation pose)

In a yoga studio, the instructor would be spot on. But at many worksites, a different approach may be needed—one that delivers the benefits without violating the rights employers guarantee to their employees.

Worksite Yoga Training

The work environment is a natural place for yoga to be practiced. With a little training, worksite instructors can learn to adapt to various corporate cultures, understanding how to motivate sans religious references, how to address injuries and abilities without discriminating, and how to be hyper aware of the importance of time, starting and ending class on time, every time.

For these reasons, FIT2order’s Yoga instructors receive worksite yoga training on the etiquette, specific worksite adaptations and the proper type of yoga for the site’s demographic. As vendors, being invited into your work world, we teach our instructors that we are guests in your house. From security protocols to room set-up and break downs to not using the conference room white board, instructors may need an education as to the modifications needed to provide a practice for your employees that’s both beneficial AND compliant.

For information on FIT2order’s Worksite Yoga Classes addressing the needs of Desk Jockey’s and Industrial Athletes, contact us at [email protected].

Sources:

1. Mind-Body Green Yoga statistics: staggering growth shows ever-increasing popularity. Accessed October 1, 2019. https://www.thegoodbody.com/yoga-statistics/
2. Macmillan, A. Yoga is officially sweeping the workplace. Time. (2017). Accessed October 2, 2019 https://time.com/4624276/yoga-workplace-mindfulness/
3. Kachan, D. et al. Prevalence of mindfulness practices in the US workforce: national health interview survey. Prev Chronic Dis (2017). Accessed October 18, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2017/16_0034.htm#contribAff
4. Trowler, Teaching corporate yoga: it’s not your typical yoga class. Huffington Post Website. Accessed October 15, 2019. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/corporate-yoga_b_4746281