Synopses & Reviews
Review
“A significant contribution to the body of literature bridging East and West, the Showkeirs work provides a powerful guide for applying the principles of yoga to develop human potential and enhance work satisfaction. Highly recommended.” —Howard C. Cutler, MD, coauthor of The Art of Happiness (with the Dalai Lama)
"Maren and Jamie show that yoga is not just about poses—yoga practice is about creating the stillness of mind that will allow you do the work you were meant to do. Read this book!"
--Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam, author of Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All
Review
"While this book is aimed specifically at using the principles of yoga in the workplace, let your customers know that it is a terrific overview of yoga as a complete spiritual philosophy. Most Americans think of yoga as the physical exercises (asanas). Yoga is actually much more complex than that, containing eight branches of study, the asanas being the third of those. By relating all aspects of yoga to the workplace, and using everyday language to do that, the authors put the intricacies of this advanced spiritual tradition within reach of the general public. For example, they tell the story of a police officer, forced to shoot someone in the line of duty, who struggled to reconcile her duty with the principle of compassion/non-violence (ahimsa). A wise instructor pointed her in the direction of the answer, but Ill let you read that for yourself. This book will prove to be a very useful tool for those seeking to expand their understanding and practice of yoga, whether they are experienced practitioners of yoga or have just begun their first class."
—Anna Jedrziewski of Retailing Insights (formerly New Age Retailer)
"Yoga Wisdom at Work is highly recommended for anyone with or without a physical yoga practice who wants to work and live in a state of steady, calm, focused concentration."
—Brigit W. Patty of New York Journal of Books
“Filled with personal insights and stories that carry yoga into the world of daily decision making.… It is wonderful to see the foundations of practice brought to life in such a confident, sincere, and thoughtful way.”
—Pandit Rajmani Tuganait, Chairman and spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute
“Maren and Jamie show that yoga is not just about poses—the practice is about creating the stillness of mind that will allow you do the work you were meant to do. Seriously, read this book!”
—Russell Simmons, cofounder of Def Jam
“The [Showkeirs] bring the deepest teachings of yoga alive by showing exactly how to bring our yoga—and our best selves—into the world.”
—Judith Lasater, PhD, author of Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times
“A significant contribution to the body of literature bridging East and West, the Showkeirs work provides a powerful guide for applying the principles of yoga to develop human potential and enhance work satisfaction. Highly recommended.”
—Howard Cutler, coauthor of the bestselling The Art of Happiness (with the Dalai Lama)
“This generous, insightful, and eminently practical book is offered with an open heart from years of experience—the best practice manual Ive read for how to embody authenticity and integrity. I am grateful to Maren and Jamie for bringing together the disciplines of yoga and leadership.”
—Meg Wheatley, bestselling author of Leadership and the New Science and So Far from Home
“With so much emphasis these days on practicing poses, the other seven limbs of yoga are often overlooked. The application of ancient wisdom to modern life situations offered here will be helpful to all people, whether or not they ever set foot on a yoga mat. Please read this book!”
—Desirée Rambaugh, internationally known master yoga teacher
“The Showkeirs draw upon 2,000-year-old wisdom and adroitly weave personal stories and case histories to crisply illustrate the Eight Limbs of Yogas applications in the contemporary workplace.”
—Dr. Paul Mittman, president and CEO, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences
“Translating this essential, ancient knowledge into a pragmatic, contemporary context is a huge and valuable contribution. Expand your knowledge and expand your life with this book!”
—Kevin Cashman, bestselling author of Leadership from the Inside Out and The Pause Principle
“I love the books simple, clear instructions on how to infuse your daily work life with ancient spiritual principles and practices. Rather than rolling up your sanity in a yoga mat, you can keep it by practicing yoga at work. All together now: ‘Ommmmm. Perfect!”
—BJ Gallagher, bestselling author of A Peacock in the Land of Penguins
Review
While this book is aimed specifically at using the principles of yoga in the workplace, let your customers know that it is a terrific overview of yoga as a complete spiritual philosophy. Most Americans think of yoga as the physical exercises (asanas). Yoga is actually much more complex than that, containing eight branches of study, the asanas being the third of those. By relating all aspects of yoga to the workplace, and using everyday language to do that, the authors put the intricacies of this advanced spiritual tradition within reach of the general public. For example, they tell the story of a police officer, forced to shoot someone in the line of duty, who struggled to reconcile her duty with the principle of compassion/non-violence (ahimsa). A wise instructor pointed her in the direction of the answer, but Ill let you read that for yourself. This book will prove to be a very useful tool for those seeking to expand their understanding and practice of yoga, whether they are experienced practitioners of yoga or have just begun their first class. Anna Jedrziewski
Synopsis
Anyone who practices yoga understands that more is going on than stretching. Restful meditation brings clarity and energy for solutions at work. Gentle poses open up new sources of positive energy for tough problems. Most of all, peaceful, quiet instructions wash away stress and make each day full of health and vitality.
But the asanas—poses—are just 1/8 of what yoga actually is. The physical practice from which millions derive so much benefit is rooted in a larger philosophy that has profound insights to offer. Maren and Jamie Showkeir believe passionately that we've barely scratched the surface of yoga's powers, especially as a way to make the workday and workplaces more enjoyable, productive and creative. In this very personal and instructive book, they reveal the remaining yoga principles that even some long-standing practitioners may not know about. They discuss how each “limb” applies to the workplace and even suggest asanas that will help you deepen your understanding of these principles. These other limbs of yoga include:
• Yama--universal morality
• Niyama--personal observances
• Pranayama--breathing exercises
• Pratyahara--control of the senses
• Dharana--concentration
• Dhyaba--devotion and meditation
• Samadhi--union with the Divine
Synopsis
Everyone knows that yoga helps reduce stress and increase the body's flexibility and strength. But the physical aspects barely scratch the surface of yoga's transformative powers. The poses are only one part of a larger philosophy offering profound insights for confronting the complexities of daily life. Yoga can help you remain centered, compassionate, positive, and sane every hour of the day--especially those between nine and five.
This unprecedented guide shows how practicing the full range of yogic concepts--the traditional "Eight Limbs of Yoga"--leads to a productive, creative, and energizing work environment and features examples from professions like law enforcement, teaching, banking, filmmaking, medicine, and many more. But beyond that, this book is an invitation to use all of yoga's teachings to cultivate the spark of the divine that dwells within each of us.
Synopsis
In the Western world, the yoga practice associated with doing poses on a mat benefits millions of devotees every day. Yet few people realize that the physical practice is rooted in a larger philosophy offering profound insights that can help people confront the complexities of daily life, especially at work.
Maren and Jamie Showkeirs unprecedented book brings into crisp focus the full range of yogas rich, transformational benefits. Based on the traditional Eight Limbs of Yoga (the postures, or asanas, are only one limb), it offers straightforward, practical suggestions on how to integrate yogas ancient philosophy and beautiful spiritual principles into the modern workplace.
The Showkeirs know firsthand how yogas wisdom can make work—and life—more rewarding and worthwhile. They explain each of yogas tenets and show how a broad, steadfast practice leads to a productive, creative, and energizing work environment. The book offers illuminating stories from people in professions such as banking, law enforcement, film directing, education, and more. These living examples illustrate how yogas teachings reduce stress and increase meaning and satisfaction at work.
The Showkeirs believe passionately that a physical practice alone will barely scratch the surface of yogas transformative powers. Much more than a simple how-to book, Yoga Wisdom at Work is an invitation to use the Eight Limbs to cultivate the spark of the divine that dwells within each of us. Yogas precepts offer you the keys for staying centered, compassionate, positive, and sane every hour of the day—including from nine to five.
Synopsis
Yogas Ancient Wisdom Can Transform Your Work Life
Everyone knows that yoga helps reduce stress and increase the bodys flexibility and strength. But the physical aspects barely scratch the surface of yogas transformative powers. The poses are only one part of a larger philosophy offering profound insights for confronting the complexities of daily life. Yoga can help you remain centered, compassionate, positive, and sane every hour of the day—especially those between nine and five.
This unprecedented guide shows how practicing the full range of yogic concepts—the traditional “Eight Limbs of Yoga”—leads to a productive, creative, and energizing work environment and features examples from professions like law enforcement, teaching, banking, filmmaking, medicine, and many more. But beyond that, this book is an invitation to use all of yogas teachings to cultivate the spark of the divine that dwells within each of us.
About the Author
Maren Showkeir and Jamie Showkeir are the principals of Henning-Showkeir and Associates, Inc., a workplace consulting firm. Maren, a certified yoga teacher, has been a committed practitioner for more than fifteen years. Jamie is a longtime meditator and developed an asana practice in 2005. They are the coauthors of Authentic Conversations.
Foreword author Christine Day is CEO of lululemon athletica, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company based in Vancouver, Canada. Before joining lululemon in 2008, Christine spent 20 years at Starbucks, where she most recently served as President of the Asia Pacific Group of Starbucks Coffee International.
Table of Contents
NOTE TO OUR READERSINTRODUCTION
• Work and the Yogic Path
• Whole yoga, whole work
• Yogas transformative influence
• A fresh frame for ancient wisdom
• Practicing yoga off-the-mat
• The roadmap
CHAPTER ONE
• Beginners Mind, the Power and the Promise
• Going out on the limbs
• Each limb reinforces the other
• Suggestions on how to use this book
CHAPTER TWO: THE FIRST LIMB - Universal Morality (The Yamas)
• NON-VIOLENCE (Ahimsa)
o Self-to-self conversations
o Learning to see the ‘invisible
o Speak up! well-being before profits
o The blame game and beyond
o Creating space for compassion
o Ahimsa in a violent world
o Five suggestions for practicing ahimsa
• NON-LYING (Satya)
o The three elements of truth
o Satya is the foundation of trust
o Eliminating the spin cycle
o The ‘how of satya
o Silence as a violation of satya
o Five suggestions for practicing satya
• NON-STEALING (Asteya)
o Thieving without thinking
o Stealing the credit
o Giving freely
o Five suggestions for practicing asteya
• NON-SQUANDERING OF VITAL ENERGIES (Brahmacharya)
o Sex and the workplace
o control and consequences
o Controlling cravings
o Five suggestions for practicing brahmacharya
o NON-GREED (Aparigraha)
o Work motivated by love and service
o Confusing pleasure and profits with purpose
o Implications at work
o Learning to let go of yearning
o Five suggestions for practicing aparigraha
CHAPTER THREE: THE SECOND LIMB - Personal Code of Conduct (The Niyamas)
• PURITY (Saucha)
o Cleanliness, health and well-being
o Empty the garbage in your body and mind
o Purity at your desk
o Five suggestions for practicing saucha
• CONTENTMENT (Santosha)
o Choosing contentment
o The attitude of gratitude
o Detach from your stories
o Five suggestions for practicing santosha
• DISCIPLINE (Tapas)
o Channeling the force
o Regeneration to restore the fire
o Five suggestions for practicing tapas
• SELF-STUDY (Svadhyaya)
o Internal focus, outward gaze
o The seeds of certainty
o Five suggestions for practicing svadhyaya
• SURRENDER (Ishvara-pranidhana)
o Letting go of attachment to outcomes
o Surrendering to resistance
o Five suggestions for practicing ishvara-pranidhana
CHAPTER FOUR: THE THIRD LIMB - Postures (Asana)
• Corporate benefits
• Metaphorically speaking
• Five suggestions for practicing asana
CHAPTER FIVE: THE FOURTH LIMB - Breath Control (Pranayama)
• Redirecting energy
• Physical and benefits
• Five suggestions for practicing pranayama
• Pranayama Techniques
CHAPTER SIX: THE FIFTH LIMB - Withdrawal of the Senses (Pratyahara)
• Sensible senses
• Instinctual mindfulness
• Five suggestions for practicing Pratyahara
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE SIXTH LIMB - Focus (Dharana)
• Accidental dharana
• The myth of multitasking
• Fencing yourself off for focus
• Admit you are out of control
• The present is a gift
• Five suggestions for practicing dharana
CHAPTER EIGHT: THE SEVENTH LIMB - Meditation (Dhyana)
• Meditations workplace benefits
• A solo practice
• Five suggestions for practicing meditation
CHAPTER NINE: THE EIGHTH LIMB - Absorption (Samadhi)
• The point of yoga is samadhi
• Purpose, work and absorption
• Five suggestions for working toward samadhi
CONCLUSION
• Finding Your Way
• The promise of endless expansion
• Your light will make a difference
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
RESOURCES
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
About the Authors