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Spoiled Yogi

Yoga & mindfulness inspiration for moms including Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga, Mom & Baby, Yoga Inspiration for Moms - online & in Charleston SC

Spoiled Yogi

So Hum: For Those Moments When Your Coworkers Are Jerks

Model: Abbie Dutterer;   Photography: Faern
“As I’ve become more devoted to my practice, I have tried to bring more of “my mat” into my workplace. I hope that what I am trying to cultivate in terms of calmness, curiosity, and peace in my life – both at work and at home – adds something to the people around me.” – Abbie
I SO relate to Abbie!
It’s easy to focus on the present moment when you’re in the middle of your asana practice, but what really matters is if you pay attention to your breath in a moment when you’re late for a deadline…. Or in the middle of an argument with a loved one … Or having one of those days when nothing seems to go the way you think it should.
I have a particularly difficult time remembering my yoga practice when I’m at the office. This is why I have to have reminders everywhere!
Surround yourself with inspiration. I have an inspiration board up on my cubicle wall with quotes, notes from friends, and pictures. When you’re surrounded by things that inspire you, it uplifts everything you do.

Find ways to incorporate yoga clothing into your work wardrobe. I wear a mala to work nearly every day. I also wear yoga tops in the place of camisoles. That way even though I am conforming to my office culture and look “professional” I have little reminders of my practice even when I’m in meetings away from my desk. (And it makes changing for yoga after work a breeze!)

Take stretch breaks often. There are lots of poses you can do right in your desk chair. My favorite desk stretches are seated twists (using the arm rests for extra traction), Cow Face Pose, and–when no one is looking–seated Cat-Cows and Tolasana from my desk chair!

Listen to kirtan. I love listening to music while I work, but songs with lyrics are distracting when you work with words. Kirtan is soothing and reminds me of my yoga practice, and the fact that I don’t understand the words is a bonus because I can just enjoy the vibrations.

Take a deep breath every time you get a phone call or email. This is my trick to manage stress and communicate mindfully.

Most of all … in those moments that you want to grab your boss by the neck and shake some sense into her, remember that yoga teaches us that we’re all one and she deserves to be treated with compassion and understanding as much as anyone else… especially when she’s a giant pain the ass. We’re all just doing the best we know how to do for ourselves, our families, and our careers.
Read the rest of Abbie’s interview here.
 
Faern is an artist, yoga practitioner and photographer in San Francisco. Besides making as much time for tea as possible, you can find Faern in a yoga class, at her current art show or wandering the city via public transportation. You can visit her in various places online: FaernWorks website, Twitter, Facebook, Faern in the Works Blog.

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  1. Teeg says

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    I love this!! its so true – the office is the hardest time to remember the practice. i dont know how i would stay sane without a little kirtan!

    Reply
  2. Meredith LeBlanc says

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    I often put on kirtan music on my blackberry while working just loud enough so it lulls me on crazy days, especially Deva Premal.
    ♥♥♥

    Reply
  3. yogicrystal says

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    Love this post, so true… I feel like you wrote this for me really. 🙂 Great tips and ones I already try to follow – wearing a mala and I have used "So-Hum" when needing to calm down.
    Now, if I only worked with Teeg and Meredith… that would probably make for a calmer day <3

    Reply
  4. SpoiledYogi says

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    Thanks all! Yes.. I think we should create a yogic work force, where people are all kind and compassionate of each other. And there are no deadlines or yearly reviews.. and definitely no sales goals to reach… I think I'm on to something..

    Reply
  5. J-Bo says

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    I am happy to have come across this today. I needed the reminder! Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Erik says

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    listening to music with no lyrics helps to balance the thought waves in your head and relaxes you allot throughout the day.

    Reply
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Namaste, mama!

I'm Erica. I'm a yoga teacher who helps pregnant and new mamas find more balance in their life through yoga, mindfulness, self-care, inspiration, community, and humor. I spoil my yoga students rotten (in a good way!), and it's my mission to teach mamas that it's not selfish to spoil themselves every now and then, too.

Recent Posts

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About Spoiled Yogi

Erica Rodefer Winters is a yoga teacher who loves helping pregnant and new moms find more balance in life through yoga, meditation, self-care, and humor.

Latest Posts

  • 5 Yoga Cues to Help Students Tap into Their Intuition
  • 5 Favorite Kids Yoga Poses
  • 20 Yoga Gift Ideas for Kids
  • My Favorite Yoga Warm Up Sequence + Videos
  • 6 Life Lessons from Yoga Class

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