Having written several posts at this point about the Yamas and some of the Niyamas, I want to take a step back and make sure we stay grounded in the science of it all. The ancient sages and tradition holders of the various yoga traditions were ahead of their time. We can come back again […]
Saucha (Purity / Cleanliness) Aphorism: Keep your data, and your intentions, clean. HR Application: Saucha asks us to remove the noise and muck. This means that we need to be diligent in the integrity of the systems we manage and also consider the integrity of why we are doing what we are doing. This is everything from […]
This is the third year I’ve gone on retreat with Stephanie Schroeder, owner of Creative Nature. While there is overlap year to year in the excursions and activities, Stephanie ensures that each year is a unique experience. The general itinerary we followed is below. The days are long but also allow ample time to decompress […]
Aparigraha (non-grasping) Aphorism: Let go of control; trust the process and the people. HR Application: Aparigraha asks us not to hoard authority or cling to outdated policies. It reminds us to let go of fear-based control. It means letting go of the image or story that may be built around a role. In DEI work, for instance, […]
The Yamas, Ethical Principles in Relation to Others: Brahmacharya Brahmacharya (Moderation) Aphorism: Channel power with purpose, not ego. HR Application: This is about ethical leadership and the restraint of power. Leaders who practice brahmacharya seek to empower others rather than dominate. In HR, it invites us to create systems where authority is used to uplift, not suppress, employee […]
The Yamas, Ethical Principles in Relation to Others: Asteya Asteya (non-stealing) Aphorism: Don’t take what isn’t earned: people’s time, credit, or potential. HR Application: Asteya challenges us to respect employee time, intellectual property, and emotional labor. When leaders take credit for others’ work or underpay staff despite high performance, it’s a breach of this ethic. To advance this […]
The Yamas, Ethical Principles in Relation to Others: Satya Satya (truthfulness) Aphorism: Tell the truth, even when it’s complex. Clarity is kindness. HR Application: Transparency in communication, especially during reorganizations, performance conversations, or compensation decisions, builds trust. Satya asks us to avoid vague corporate lingo. When we speak with clarity, we honor both people and process. Truthfulness, […]
Ever since my 200-hour Yoga Teacher training in 2017, I have often reflected on how the ancient wisdom of yoga can bring clarity to today’s people management challenges. I’ve been in management roles since 2016 and have seen the parallel of leadership principles and yoga philosophy in the workplace. The Yamas, the first limb of Patanjali’s […]
Many of you know I’m a nerd at heart. I love learning, testing, and turning ideas into practical systems. Ever since my first yoga teacher training, I’ve been obsessed with one question: How can yoga meaningfully improve the modern workplace? After years in Management, Leadership, and Human Resources, I believe now more than ever we need to humanize […]
As both a yoga teacher and HR professional specializing in total rewards, I’ve spent years navigating two seemingly different worlds: one rooted in inner awareness and ancient philosophy, the other in compensation metrics, labor market trends, and fiscal responsibility. But over time, I’ve found they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, yoga philosophy offers a […]