Yoga Wisdom at Work: Finding Sanity Off the Mat and On the Job

In Yoga Wisdom at Work, the Showkeirs bring together their considerable corporate know-how with their deep understanding of yoga to illustrate how transforming workplace dynamics begins with individuals.As someone who has been practicing yoga for over two decades, I was somewhat familiar with the eight limbs of yoga and had some vague ideas about how they might be applied in the workplace. Boy, did I get an education!The book is packed with real-world examples of people—from doctors to waiters, from truck drivers to CEOs—applying yoga principles in their workplace, making them better people (and therefore better bosses, employees, co-workers, etc.) As one person says about a change in their workplace, it wasn’t magic. It was “the result of intentional action and focus combined with a determination to stay present.”When you think of yoga, you probably think of the physical practice, perhaps with some breathing techniques thrown in. To be sure, this is the yoga that has caught like wildfire across America and there are certainly benefits to standing up to stretch or taking a deep breath before responding to your boss’s pointed question. But those are just two of the eight limbs and there is so, so much more to practicing yoga at work.The eight limbs of yoga also have subsets (fingers?) and it’s pretty clear from the beginning that if you violate one precept there’s a good chance you’ll violate another. They are intertwined. Which is why I appreciated the Showkeirs simple explanations. For example, the practice of “contentment” and the practice of “non-greed” clearly overlap, but it can be useful to think of contentment as “choosing optimism” and non-greed as “having enough.”I like how the Showkeirs turn some common issues into teachings. For example, everyone knows it is wrong to steal money or material goods. But have you ever considered that chronic tardiness is also a form of stealing, robbing clients of promised time and yourself of peace? Many people endure “small subtle acts of violence” in the workplace every day. Gossip, manipulation, lack of compassion…each of these common practices are, at their core, cruel. Have you ever thought of honesty as a career killer? Did you know that withholding your opinion at a meeting when you have serious misgivings about the topic could be a form of lying?At the end of every chapter, the Showkeirs offer 5 suggestions for incorporating or practicing what you’ve just learned. A lot of the exercises are about noticing what’s going on around you and within you. And this seems to be at the heart of the book: we must all practice self-inquiry and not be afraid to ask how we are part of a problem and what we can do to bring about a positive solution.

Sometimes you do things for a friend. I have a friend who is an avid yoga practitioner who is always bugging me to try it. I have nothing against yoga, but I always saw it as nothing more than exercise. So my friend said I should read this book. She's my friend, so I did, and it was a revelation. You don't have to contort your body or go around chanting "OM" to practice yoga. Who knew?What I got from this book was a new look at the philosophy behind yoga and how it can help people develop their innate potential and live more meaningful lives. It's spiritual, yes, but more importantly, it is SO practical. The authors tell some great stories, and they offer suggestions at the end of each chapter for developing the kinds of practices that can help you be a better worker, a more compassionate coworker and remember what is important about doing your work. And if your practice consistently (and forgive yourself if you forget) it will reduce stress and create peace of mind.This book is a powerful reminder of the importance of being clear about our intentions as we make decisions. I wish everyone in corporate America would read this book. I'm telling all my friends... Try it...you'll *like* it.

Full disclosure: I am not a yoga guy! Oh, I've had my youthful moments on the mat quieting the yammy yammy in my mind. And, I have great appreciation for the virtues and benefits of yoga. But, the Showkeirs are my friends so I gave Yoga Wisdom at Work a read. I am still not a yoga guy! But, there is far more to this book than meets the third eye! Their questions will profoundly shake your life perspectives; their insights will influence your work discipline. This masterful work is written in the key of spirit. Read their new book and get ready for a powerful yet peaceful trip to contentment and wholeness.

I've been practicing yoga on and off for many years, but I was never taught the basic principles that form the yoga philosophy. What we do on the mat is what I considered "yoga", but now I know it is much more than that. This book was a great introduction to the different components that comprise the entire yoga philosophy and the authors connected these to daily life and especially to work. I read it through once and it was a great calming, yet inspiring read. I plan to refer back to it again, and perhaps give it another read through to really let the principles soak in. I recommend for anyone, but especially to beginner to experienced yoga practitioners who would like to gain a deeper knowledge about their practice.

I have practiced yoga irregularly for years, and even 'studied' some of the precepts in the form of integral yoga as part of a PhD program, so yoga as a philosophy for life has been a vague background for me for quite a while. When I heard about the forthcoming publication of this book I put the release date in my calendar, and had a copy in hand the next day. It had been a while since I sat down and read a book from cover to cover. Fantastic! It was clear and practical and deep and inspiring. As one is always a beginner, I found myself drawn back to it over and again. So much so that while I am one of those readers who loves the feel of a real book in my hands as part of the experience, I just bought the Kindle version so I can keep this treasure with me when I travel!

One of the most dog eared books in my shelf....more often in my bag....this is full of amazing wisdom that can be introduced into everyday life....especially in trying times. Have been reading, and re-reading this book for years

I've had an Asana (on the mat) Yoga practice for 10 years but knew little about the other eight limbs. Thanks to this clever and well written book, I am now enlightened about all the limbs. Best of all, I have simple, practical ideas for how to apply them in my daily work life. I'm all set now to make everyday a Yoga day, not just Saturday when I go to my Yoga class. Thanks Jamie and Maren!

Amazing