I worked my corporate job for ten years before I became a full time yoga teacher. I was always busy, stressed out, and my to do list kept getting longer. No amount of multitasking or overtime made it easier. I couldn’t enjoy my vacations because I knew I had so much to come back to. I couldn’t sleep because of my overactive mind, and would dread waking up in the morning to start the work day.
I was feeling more stress and anxiety than I knew what to do with, and the only thing that helped me get through it was my yoga and meditation practice. When I could feel the anxiety in my chest, I knew how to stop and breathe to create peace and calm. If there was a difficult situation, yoga helped me gain the clarity to make more informed decisions. My practice also helped with daily discipline, making healthier choices, and an overall sense happiness.
Since I left the cubicle, it’s been my dream to bring yoga to the workplace to calm the hustle and bustle, improve the work environment for business leaders and teams, and to make people excited to show up every day doing what they love.
After I left my job, I immersed myself in reading business books like, How to Win Friends and Influence people, Delivering Happiness, and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I also studied and consumed advice from really successful entrepreneurs like Michael Hyatt, Marie Forleo, Tim Ferriss, Tony Robbins, and Amy Porterfield.
Here are a few interesting facts I learned about the workplace:
Did you know that Multitasking actually makes people unproductive? Context switching from one thing to the next makes you feel busy, but all of the back and forth slows down brain function, and you get less done than if you just focused on one thing at a time.
Most people focus on improving their weaknesses, but they really should be using their talents and strengths daily at their job. Think about how great your team would perform if they were praised for their talents, and doing what they’re best at all of the time.
Most people get caught up on the unimportant details vs. what matters most. Have you ever wondered what’s holding you back on your projects? What details could be cut out or more streamlined? What can you outsource? Is there a more efficient way to work on these projects?
Studies show that most people can complete their work within 2 hours, but with a required 8 hour work day, we create extra busy work (the unimportant details and multitasking) that causes a bottleneck on forward movement.
In addition to all of the personal health benefits:
YOGA will help your team:
- Reduce stress, tension, and fatigue
- Improve concentration, memory and mental focus.
- Create More clarity for better problem solving and decision making.
- Improve relationships within the workplace.
- Learn to handle demanding situations with calmness and ease.
- Create employees happy and full of energy & vitality, and as a result, more productive.
- Calm the nervous system.
- Cultivate the ability to relax and recharge.
- Relief of head, neck and back strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, high blood pressure.
- Enhance employee attitude and outlook.
- Better sleep to help insomnia or overactive mind, which also helps with productivity.
- Greater self-awareness and well-being.
How to Prepare For Your Yoga Class:
- Wear comfortable clothing:
- Pants or shorts: Comfortable, but close-fitting. Not too tight.
- Top: A tank top or t-shirt works just fine.
- No shoes
- Use a yoga mat like Manduka or Gaiam mat.
It doesn’t hurt to have a towel with you. - Hydrate all day, or in the morning before your class.
- It’s best to practice on an empty stomach, but try to not eat at least 2 hours beforehand.
- Don’t look around or compare yourself to others.
- Turn off your cell phone. No texting during practice!
- Your body is different every day. Just accept where you are.
- If your mind wanders, focus on the breath.
What I Need From You:
Just a room big enough to accommodate your staff. Usually a board or conference room works just fine.
I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone -Sasha Tamar, Yoga student since 2013
Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica! -Angela Orofino, Yoga Student since 2011
Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can’t imagine my life without sharing a path with her!- Serena Jones, Yoga Student since 2011
Example of a YOGA class at your office:
One Hour and fifteen minutes
5 Minutes: Each class starts off with steadying the mind and breath. The students sit in meditation position, and we work on intention and focusing on the present moment by letting go of all thoughts and stressors by using breathing techniques.
10 Minutes: After the beginning meditation, we move into Sun Salutations to warm the body. Sun Salutations are a flow of movement that builds strength and flexibility, creates mental focus, and energizes the body.
15 Minutes: After Sun Salutations we move into the standing postures. These postures are focused on building a strong foundation in the mind and body. We focus on strength, balance, and control. Some people are extremely flexible, but don’t have control of their body. Without a strong foundation, this can cause stress on the body and possibly injury.
20 Minutes: After the standing postures, we move into a seated sequence. This sequence is called Yoga Chikitsa, which translates to yoga therapy. This is a set series of postures that is designed to open the body gradually. This is where we focus deeper on specific areas such as the shoulders, hamstrings, neck, and back.
15 Minutes: Backbends / Inversions. The closing postures start with backbends. Backbends open and increase flexibility in the spine, which keeps the nervous system healthy and strong. Inversions follow, and are considered the cool down to the yoga practice. These are simple postures where we bring the legs above the heart. By practicing these postures, you’ll improve circulation, bring more oxygen to the brain improving concentration, and memory.
10 Minutes: We’ll spend five minutes bringing the practice down through a breathing exercise and a guided meditation. Then, the last five minutes in the final resting posture, where we let the body fully relax absorb the awareness and energy created throughout the practice.
This Is For You If:
- You want to retain and engage your employees.
- Show that you care about your employees health, which will make them excited to show up every day.
- Improve your reputation in the community.
- Improve the health of employees, which will lead to less sick days.
- Increase efficiency, productivity, and relationships in the workplace.
- Create a sense of well-being in the workplace, which reduces employee turnover.
Interested? Download the packet.
Pricing & Packages:
I treat every student with complete care and respect. I will be available to your employees for questions about their practice at any time.
Included In All Packages:
- Unlimited amount of students in each class. No minimum or max.
- Priority to email for questions about yoga practice.
- Inclusion into the Private Yoga Facebook Group
- 40 % discount on private lessons. Employees of the Yoga In The Workplace Program pay $65 (Full price $108).
- Relaxing music
Packages:
Payment must be taken ahead of time to book the time slots.
1) 3 Class Per Week for one month (40% discount $60 per class): $720
- Total of 12 classes
2) 2 Classes per Week for one month (30% discount $70 per class): $560
- Total of 8 classes
3) One Class Per Week for one month (20% discount / $80 per class): $320
- Total of 4 classes
4) A La Carte / Single Class: $100 for 75 minutes
Students will need to provide their own yoga mat and/or towel. No props are needed in my classes, but students can bring their own.
Time Slots:
I am available for:
Morning – 7am-10am
Lunch – 11am-2pm
Evening – 5pm-8pm
Thinking of a different time? I have some wiggle room. Contact me below or at monica@monicadawnstone.com and we’ll find something that works!
I have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one. – Jacob Abercrombie, Yoga Student since 2010
Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga – the one of personal experience – which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student “gets it.” She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You’ll be glad you did. – Jaime Shearer, Yoga Student since 2010
Ready to sign up?
Sweet! You’re on your way to a life of blissful, happiness, hugs and health!