Yoga in the boardroom (3)

The purpose of yoga is connectedness: between the body, mind, spirit and universe. One of the key ideas of yoga is that there is no separation among things and beings. The underlying belief is, that somehow, even though we cannot yet scientifically prove it, everything is connected. The key practice in yoga to create connection is conscious focus on breathing. This practice is called pranayama. Literally translated pranayama means lifeforce (prana) discipline or practice (yama). 

Organisations get better with focus and connectedness; leaders play a vital role to create this focus and connection: within teams, among teams, with the strategy of the organisation and with themselves. Every interactive encounter, e.g. a meeting, or concentration exercise gets better with focus and connectedness. Pranayama in the form of conscious breathing can create this increased focus and connectedness. Regularly I use a one-minute breathing exercise at a beginning of a workshop or meeting to make people land in the present. I feel the energy in the room centring and very often I get the feedback after that one minute that people feel more present or aware: the beginning to focus and connect with whatever you do. 

Knowing that most of us on average only use 20% of our lung capacity and that oxygen is fundamental for the brain to function optimally, it makes a lot of sense to practice pranayama daily. Conscious breathing and awareness for the journey of the breath in the body, has a noticeable effect on the lymbic system, the part of the brain mostly responsible for our feelings, when it creates feelings of stress, anxiety or anger.

Here is my simple pranayama practice for all of us who keep running and chasing through our days and who would like to be able to be more present, more aware, happier, more at ease and to say it in a corporate way more in control.

Create moments of awareness: a reminder in your calendar, anchoring moments, e.g. when you open your computer, when you go on the toilet or just before you get out of your car in the evening.   

Close your eyes, lengthen your back by sitting up straight, literally visualize a connection with your spine between the earth and the universe; bring your shoulders down and a tiny bit back, bring you chin in.

Feel how your feet are touching the earth and consciously be aware of what your hand palms are feeling. 

Focus on your breath and consciously let it flow in, visualize your breath filling the lower part of your lungs first and then the higher parts. Imagine your breath opening your chest in all three directions: front, sides and back. 

Breath out just a little deeper than you usually do. 

Repeat this 1 to 6 times, it takes less than a minute and it changes your being instantly. 

There are many more pranayama practices, this one is to get you started, make you aware and to give your brain and cells some quick energisers throughout the day.