Office Yoga Teacher Training: How to Practice Non-Violence (Ahimsa) in Corporate Yoga
Learn business practice and yoga philosophy through Office Yoga Teacher Training.
Incorporating Ahimsa (non-violence) into your office yoga business can be a transformative process that aligns business values with yoga’s ethical principles. Ahimsa, non-harming in thought, word, and action, applies in many areas of business ownership or corporate life. In an ideal world, Ahimsa creates an environment prioritizing kindness, compassion, and understanding. Non-harming is a core value I share with Office Yoga Teacher Training students. Below are several ways in which you, or the company you work with, can embed non-harming into your business practices:
The Office Yoga Teacher Training Approach to Ethical Leadership
Office Yoga teachers embody Ahimsa by treating fellow instructors, clients, and business partners with respect and kindness. This sets a tone for your business and fosters a culture of compassion. Here are a few ways you can lead with integrity:
1. Mindful Communication
Encourage communication that is respectful, kind, and constructive. This means avoiding gossip, derogatory language, or aggressive behavior, especially during conflicts or disagreements. If there is a competitor in your network, treat them with respect. You both have the same goal of improving employee well-being– are there ways you can work together? Promote curiosity, active listening, and open dialogue.
2. Mindful Decision-Making
Make your decisions mindfully, considering the impact of your choices on all stakeholders—including clients, communities, and the environment. If you manage a team of instructors or employees, focus on active listening, understanding diverse perspectives, and supporting instructors or employees through challenges rather than reacting with aggression or indifference. Ensure that your leadership decisions are made with a focus on equity, fairness, and compassion, particularly in performance reviews, promotions, and conflict resolution.
3. Public Relations with Integrity
Respect agreements using branding and trademarks of other company logos and slogans. I once worked with a big-name company and wanted to include their logo on my website, officeyoga.com. Due to security reasons and brand control, the client asked us not to use their logo on any announcements or marketing material, including the website. As eager as I was to share our work, I respected our agreement and kept them anonymous. Ensure your yoga business’s marketing, advertising, and public communication are truthful and transparent and avoid misleading claims. Be honest about the service benefits and values. Avoid making claims based on stories or mythical beliefs.
Cultivate a Culture of Kindness and Cooperation
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As a business owner, you are a leader in your community. Demonstrate to others how to cultivate a culture of kindness and cooperation. Here are a few ways to encourage cooperation:
1. Collaboration Over Competition
Encourage a collaborative environment where small businesses support one another, share knowledge, and work together to achieve common goals—partner with other businesses to enhance your services or promote one another within your network. Do you know someone who makes jewelry? Have them set up a table before one of your workshops. Avoid fostering a toxic competitive environment that pits businesses against each other in harmful ways.
2. Conflict Resolution with Compassion
One of my clients told me a direct competitor tried to poach them by undercutting my business. I confronted the competitor and kindly asked if this was true. They quickly apologized and claimed they were doing “market research” and stopped immediately. When conflicts arise, adopt peaceful and compassionate conflict resolution techniques. Encourage understanding rather than punitive or aggressive responses.
3. Volunteerism and Social Responsibility
Engage in community service or charity work, reflecting the spirit of Ahimsa by giving back to the broader society. For many years, Office Yoga has had a Teach One, Feed One program where we donate a meal to No Kid Hungry for every class we teach. Corporate volunteer programs can have a positive impact on both employees and the community. If inclined, partner with a local organization and give back through volunteerism or financial support.
Adopt Sustainable and Ethical Business Practices from Office Yoga Teacher Training
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Harnessing your purchasing power can create a powerful impact. Here’s what you can do as an individual and business owner to make a positive change in your community:
1. Environmental Responsibility
Ahimsa extends to all living beings, including the Earth. Adopt eco-friendly practices that reduce harm to the planet. Offer hybrid services to minimize your carbon footprint, or swap your Yoga Flow class with a Desk Yoga session and reduce the use of plastic yoga mats. When shopping for yoga equipment, look for sustainable brands through Ethical Swag or Fairware. Instead of Google, use Ecosia– a search engine that plants trees. Minimizing waste, reducing carbon footprints, using sustainable resources, and supporting ecological initiatives put control in your hands and can reduce impacts on the climate.
2. Ethical Sourcing
A few months ago, I saw an article highlighting “Top 10 Comfortable Work Pants all Under $40.” Desk Yoga requires comfortable work pants to teach in, so I browsed the article and found three pants that suit my style. Each link led me to the Amazon marketplace. I looked up the brands directly to order from the source. In my research, I discovered all three companies were “fast-fashion” style businesses. While I am eager to purchase new pants for my Desk Yoga classes, fast fashion is one of the leading polluters of our oceans and suppliers of cheap labor. When purchasing clothing or resources for work, ensure the company’s supply chain adheres to ethical standards, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmentally conscious practices. Avoid exploitation of workers and resources in any form.
3. Fairtrade and Social Impact
Support ethical trade practices and contribute to local communities by partnering with businesses prioritizing social responsibility, such as fair trade initiatives or social enterprises that benefit marginalized groups—order books from bookshop.org, an organization that supports local bookstores with every purchase. Get holiday gifts from women of color entrepreneurs instead of fast fashion products on Amazon. Instead of Starbucks, drink Dope Coffee, a company whose mission is to combine coffee, hip-hop, and Black culture. Shop at Lowe’s, a company that invests back into the community, instead of Home Depot. Work with website designers and business professionals from the B Corp community or 1% for the Planet, all organizations that give back to the community and environment. Money is energy; how and where you spend your money has an incredible ripple effect.
Conclusion
Integrating Ahimsa into your corporate yoga business requires a holistic approach that touches upon leadership, ethical decision-making, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Office Yoga teachers enhance their business by fostering an environment where non-violence in thought, word, and action is prioritized. They contribute to creating a more peaceful, compassionate, and sustainable world. Adopting Ahimsa can improve client satisfaction, enhance social impact, and lead to long-term success based on ethical principles.
Interested in teaching Office Yoga? Learn more about our comprehensive program for Instructors through our Office Yoga Teacher Training.