The A-to-Z Guide: Yoga Cues for Corporate Yogis

Teaching yoga in the corporate world is a unique opportunity to bring balance and movement to spaces filled with deadlines, desk chairs, and caffeine-fueled focus. The right yoga cues can turn even the most stressed-out employee into a relaxed, mindful yogi. Here’s your ultimate A-to-Z guide to yoga cues, explicitly designed for corporate yogis:

A – Align Your Spine

“Think of a string pulling you up from the crown of your head—straight, but not stiff.”

When you’re teaching in an office, posture is everything. Most employees spend hours hunched over desks, so a clear, effective cue to align their spine can help them reset and feel taller instantly.

B – Breathe Easy

“Inhale deeply, like you’re sipping air through a straw.”

Busy professionals often don’t realize how shallow their breathing becomes throughout the day. This cue encourages mindful breathing and helps them relax and feel more grounded.

C – Create Space

“Lengthen through your sides like you’re reaching for the last snack on the top shelf.”

Desk work compresses the body, so this cue works wonders for stretches that open up the sides and elongate the torso. Plus, the cheeky snack imagery always gets a smile.

D – Drop the Shoulders

“Let your shoulders slide away from your ears—like they’re tired of holding a grudge.”

This is a must-have cue for office yogis. Tension tends to pool in the shoulders, so guiding your students to release it can make a difference.

E – Expand Your Heart

“Open your chest as if you’re holding the elevator door for someone.”

Perfect for counteracting that rounded desk posture, this cue invites students to open their hearts while embracing a moment of positivity.

F – Find Your Feet

“Plant your feet firmly, like roots growing into the ground.”

A solid connection to the ground is essential for balance and focus. This cue helps students feel stable, no matter how chaotic their day is.

G – Gaze Softly

“Rest your gaze on a point before you, like you’re watching a calming screensaver.”

Corporate yogis don’t always know what “drishti” means, so this approachable cue offers a modern, relatable way to describe a soft, focused gaze.

H – Hug Your Core

“Engage your core like you’re zipping up a pair of jeans.”

This cue adds lightness and humor to core engagement. It’s invaluable in chair poses or seated twists where stability is key.

I – Invite Stillness

“Pause here and notice how your body feels—like you’re hitting the refresh button.”

Encouraging mindfulness in movement can be as simple as permitting students to pause. This cue reminds them to embrace stillness amidst their busy day.

J – Just Relax

“Let your jaw, forehead, and shoulders soften—no more clenching, just releasing.”

Sometimes, students don’t realize how much tension they’re holding. This cue guides them to scan their body and release stress where it’s hiding.

K – Keep It Gentle

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“No need to overdo it—move as if you’re stirring a cup of tea.”

This cue is perfect for encouraging beginners or those hesitant about yoga. It creates a safe, approachable environment for everyone.

L – Lengthen Your Neck

“Imagine your neck is a giraffe’s—not stretched, but gracefully long.”

Office workers often crane their necks forward. This cue helps guide them back into alignment without feeling stiff or awkward.

M – Melt Into the Mat (or Chair)

“Let your body sink like butter on warm toast.”

This cue is perfect for chair savasana or grounding poses. It encourages deep relaxation and a sense of ease, even in an office setting.

N – Notice Your Breath

“Feel your inhale like a wave coming to shore, and exhale as it flows back to sea.”

Breathwork is key in any yoga class but incredibly impactful in a corporate setting. This imagery makes it approachable and calming.

O – Open Up

“Expand through your arms like you’re giving the universe a big hug.”

This cue brings a playful yet impactful element to heart openers and stretches, encouraging students to embrace the pose fully.

P – Press Down

“Press your palms firmly as if you’re pushing open a heavy door.”

Grounding poses benefit from strong hands, and this cue brings focus and intention to their foundation.

Q – Quiet the Mind

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“Let your thoughts drift by, like emails you choose not to open.”

Relatable and modern, this cue helps students embrace mindfulness in a way that fits into their workday.

R – Relax the Hands

“Let your fingers rest like they’ve finally signed off for the day.”

Whether typing all day or holding tension unconsciously, this cue reminds students to let their hands soften.

S – Sit Tall

“Imagine you’re balancing a book on your head—straight and steady.”

A simple and effective posture cue that works beautifully for seated poses in corporate yoga.

T – Twist It Out

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“Turn gently, like you’re glancing over your shoulder to wave at a friend.”

This cue makes twists feel accessible while adding a bit of light-hearted imagery.

U – Unclench

“Check in: Are you holding onto tension you don’t need? Let it go like you’re dropping a mic.”

Unclenching is the ultimate corporate yoga mantra, and this cue makes it approachable and fun.

V – Visualize Calm

“Picture a peaceful scene—like your inbox at zero.”

Instantly relatable, this cue helps students ground themselves in a moment of imagined peace.

W – Widen Your Collarbone

“Open your chest like you’re wearing your fanciest blazer.”

This cue is perfect for seated poses or stretches that promote openness and confidence.

X – Exhale Fully

“Let your exhale take the weight of the day with it.”

Ending on a strong exhale cue invites students to let go of everything weighing them down.

Y – Yield to Gravity

“Let your body be supported—like a plant soaking up sunlight.”

This cue encourages deep relaxation and trust in the pose, which is ideal for closing a class.

Z – Zero In

“Focus on this moment like it’s the only thing on your to-do list.”

A perfect cue to remind students that yoga is about being present, even for just a moment.

Ready to Take Your Teaching to the Next Level?

Corporate yoga offers a unique opportunity to connect with students who need yoga the most. With these cues (and a little guidance from Office Yoga), you’ll be ready to lead impactful, accessible classes in any corporate setting.

???? Sign up for Office Yoga’s Teacher Training today and bring your skills where needed most.