My love affair with yoga and how it has been a benefit to my business

8/1/2014 
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I took my first yoga class when I was a teenager and fell in love with it from the start.  Learning new breathing techniques to bring a sense of calmness when life in general tests my limits and finding new ways to stretch my body to maintain my flexibility as the years have progressed has been invaluable.

The physical, spiritual and emotional discipline has been one aspect that has transformed my body and mind and I use this same philosophy to bring discipline to my business.

As the hectic pace of our world continues to stretch my time and sometimes patience, making time for yoga has enriched my ability to clear my mind and focus, if for just a short time, on me.  When my mind is free of all the noise of what I have to get done, it’s when my creativity starts to flourish!  I’m never too far from a mini tape recorder or notepad so as not to lose an idea that flashes in my head.

At times I can devote a full hour to my yoga exercises and breathing, and sometimes to be honest I’m fortunate when I can squeeze in 10 minutes, however any amount of time that I have is an amazing opportunity to focus on what is important and to keep healthy: mind and body.  

The benefit you ask?  It allows me to return in full force to my business needs from marketing to client meetings to training and finally the quiet time in my office to dedicate time to complete client projects.

Whether you work for someone else or have your own business, taking time for yourself is critical in order to refresh, rejuvenate and open your mind to professional growth and development as well as making and maintaining professional relationships.   While practicing yoga doesn’t solve all problems or make them magically disappear, what it does, for me at least, is restore relaxation, build confidence with my ability to learn and achieve a new pose which in turn maintains my strength and flexibility.  It’s that same confidence that I then take into promoting my business as I network and meet new people from all across the US. 

In my work, each day brings a new challenge and the core of success for me has been how I tackle those challenges, be it by focusing on my breathing when stress takes over or getting in my daily exercise even if it means stealing a quick minute or two to perform a few yoga techniques while I sit at my desk.
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The next time that you are stumped on a project or feel that you have exhausted all avenues for developing a new business, consider what could happen if you removed yourself from the workload entirely and took a moment for yourself.