Office/Community Yoga

When the trees are this pretty, why stay inside?

On Tuesday, I spent my lunch break outside doing Yoga on a stretch of grass with five coworkers.  It was a perfect 73 degrees, and only slightly distracting to hear the conversations of some hilarious third graders on recess next door.  We had been trying to organize a class through our University's off-site exercise program, but had found it tricky with the myriad meetings filling our schedules and conference rooms.  Then, a lovely employee who also happens to be a yoga instructor offered to teach a series of classes at a mere $5 a session, which is a good deal cheaper than most offers AND extremely convenient to attend on the job.  The class has been a great way to help build exercise into my week, get some much-needed fresh air and Vitamin D, and spend time with coworkers I might not otherwise see or get to know.  


Yoga has become so popular that I bet at least one of your coworkers - or member of your church, Bible study, or play group - has the skills to lead a class!  Another option is to gather your coworkers/friends and pop on a yoga DVD, or just find a patch of grass to do your own routine.  It's an activity that can be done in a way that's frugal, eco-friendly, and community-building, and it's very easy to individualize to accomodate injuries or weaknesses.  After a few months of modified Tibetan yoga, I have noticed a considerable improvement in my core strength and neck muscles, something I never thought was possible after my car accident and nerve damage diagnosis.   


One of the most important lessons I've learned over the last two sessions is that college students aren't the only individuals who excitedly commit to something up front and then never show up.  Now, the excuses from coworkers who flake tend to be understandable and completely valid (last-minute meeting, too many projects on their desk, out sick that day), but to a certain degree, the choices we make with our time reveals where our priorities lie.  We live in a culture that values working hard and a lot, and exercise too often gets put on the back burner.  This time around, we asked people to pay for the six-week session up front, though they are welcome to find someone to take their place if they are unable to attend a given class.  The monetary incentive definitely increases participation.

Yoga not your style?   Try out these cubicle exercises from the Washington Post, or click here for the videos, which are even more awesome!


Shared over at Your Green Resource and Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways