Over the soothing sounds of instrumental music and the calming smell of lavender essential oils, our web copywriter Jonelle reminds the e-commerce team at Laura Canada to focus on their own yoga mat—not the tasks waiting beyond the walls of the conference room.
Since April, the team has taken up yoga. For one hour every second Wednesday, the conference room at the Laura head office is transformed into a yoga studio. Members from the team switch out pens and project briefs for yoga mats and water bottles. “Yoga is good for the mind, body and soul,” Jonelle says. “When you bring it into the workplace, aside from it being a great team building exercise, it’s a fantastic way to relieve stress, get a good stretch, and build strength.”
At each session, beginners and experts alike roll out their mats for a well-deserved mid-week break from their workload. At Jonelle’s instruction, the team moves into typical yoga positions like downward dog and the plank, or through sequences like the sun salutation. While improving balance, building strength and soaking in the relaxing benefits of yoga at work, the e-commerce team has the chance to bond outside of day to day coordination on web projects.
By the end of the activity, everyone feels rejunivated. Now, the team looks forward to the yoga classes and slowly other teams from the department are invited every session. The team manager, Nadia, says, “It’s relaxing, invigorating and fun! I can’t wait for the next session!”
