Corporate Yoga

Yoga@Work

The Big Stretch's director, Joanne Lowe, worked at a thriving Toronto advertising agency as an account executive within the corporate financial sector, in charge of coordinating complex and complicated multi-component marketing programs for some of Canada's largest banks.

After leaving the ad agency to become a full-time yoga instructor, Joanne returned to her roots in the corporate sector by developing a program called Yoga@Work. Her approach makes it easy for corporate clients to fit yoga into their busy schedules - and they find yoga to be a great release during their hectic day.

"More than just a way to alleviate the symptoms of stress, Joanne is teaching a way to improve work habits and employee satisfaction. She knows the language and the nature of office stress, but most of all she knows how to relax." ~ Ascent Magazine

Skyscraper Yoga

Cradling the phone, hauling a briefcase, pounding the keyboard, endless hours at the desk - they all take a toll on your body.

Stress is counter-productive, but modern businesses are faced with the effects of stress on the workforce at many levels. Stress affects manual workers and office staff, as well as top management - there's no discrimination here. Companies are becoming increasingly aware of how stress can impair work performance; many hours per year are lost due to stress-related illnesses.

Yoga@Work's simple breathing, stretching and muscle relaxation techniques relieve various symptoms of stress, including tension headaches, fatigue, anxiety, back-pain, depression and insomnia.

Life at work can be full of distractions. A clear mind, calm manner and flexible body - all benefits of yoga - equal productivity, quick thinking and creativity in the workplace. Yoga is a genuine help to teams under pressure and a great way to say "thank you" to staff that are delivering the goods.

The Yoga@Work program is designed to reduce stress, restore perspective and improve physical and mental well-being. It will also improve employee morale, motivation and working relationships.

Get more out of your workshops, retreats, off-site conferences and clinics. Yoga can be used as an innovative training technique as part of team-building sales incentives or new product launch, conference or seminar. Incorporating yoga into the daily curriculum of a three-day seminar, for example (by using yoga to begin the day or as a midday break) will allow the employer to reap the benefits of focused, clear-thinking and stress-free employees.

Yoga@Work is a flexible program. What else would you expect? Each program is custom-tailored to meet the needs of your company.

"You are an inspiration to us all and a beautiful treat each and every week. Thank you so much for enriching my life each week - you're such a blessing!" ~ Natasa Hatsios, Harlequin Enterprises, Corporate Yoga Program

"Thank you again for contributing your time and expertise to the College and University Preparation Program by providing the CUPP students with a morning of relaxation. The hour of yoga you provided allowed the students to become familiar with their inner self. The relief felt in the session will help remind students of the importance of taking time to breathe. Your yoga session gave students that had never tried yoga before the great experience. Myself and each student walked away with the knowledge and feeling of being free of tension and stress." ~ Fay Kokolakis, Summer Student Program Coordinator, CNIB - vision health. vision hope.

"Clean and serene, this spacious, south-facing studio boasts large windows and gauzy white curtains. The instruction, from director Joanne Lowe, is equally soothing.

Drawing on the influence of several philosophies, she developed her own unique approach to teaching. Classes follow vinyasa or flowing style, beginning with pranayama (rhythmic breathing) and ending in savasana (final relaxation). Gentle Stretch classes are suitable for beginners, pregnant women and seniors.

Big Stretch classes integrate breathing with classic hatha sitting, standing, bending and twisting postures. Sports classes combine sports stretches with disciplines as diverse as hatha yoga, martial arts and Pilates." ~ Toronto Life Magazine.