“Thanks to the research of Herbert Benson M.D. at Harvard Medical School and Jon Kabat-Zinn, M.D. at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center results has shown that yoga and meditation boost immunity and reduce stress. Stress, of course, which can be related to many chronic illnesses; heart disease and cancer to name only two. Many prestigious hospitals such as Memorial Sloan–Kettering and Columbia Presbyterian in New York City, and HMO’s such as Kaiser Permanente have recognized the validity of this research and offer yoga classes to their patients, a prime example that yoga works.”
-excerpt from Executive Stamina by Dr. Marty Seldman

In Sanskrit the word yoga means to “yoke” or to unite. This action, the yoking, is that of the mind, body and spirit. What most westerners call “yoga” is only a sliver of a much larger holistic practice. Those pretzely poses many think of when hearing the word yoga are only the physical aspect of yoga or what is known as the asana practice. It is this practice that is riding a wave of immense popularity in the United States and around the world. You don’t have to go far to find a yoga studio – they are popping up in strip malls, the local YMCA, in gyms and health spas.

At any time you may go online for a wealth of information, find a mountain of books on the subject as well as where to go on retreat or find a teacher. This popularity may well come from the fact that people are looking to improve the quality of their lives and searching for alternative ways to heal their bodies. In the past 20 years research has been done in various areas and it is now being recognized by mainstream western medicine for this one reason: yoga works!

Quick check-in list:

• Check posture regularly, be sure to sit up on “sits bones”
• Be aware of your breath; breathe into your belly and the backside of your body. (Breathing in the upper chest rapidly will trigger fight or flight reflex.)
• Blink eyes often (and slowly) to reduce tension in eyes, face and head.
• Give yourself a little face massage to relieve potential or current headache.

No matter the size of your company or workforce, if you have employees who sit at their desks and work on computers for extended periods of time, you will benefit from Powerhouse’s onsite education programs.

Our experiential, full participation trainings are known to help lower stress, minimize Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) as well as other injuries. We accomplish this by giving clients simple effective tools to use at their workstations. As an employer, you benefit from the cost savings of decreased sick days and disability. At Your Desk Yoga is designed to rejuvenate your workforce, keeping your staff healthier and more productive. Our programs are perfect for company wellness retreats or as team building initiatives. Her At Your Desk Yoga program is featured in Dr. Marty Seldman’s book Executive Stamina. (John Wiley & Sons, 2008) Jnana’s approach to yoga is concrete and accessible. Jnana has delivered her programs to esteemed organizations such as The California Pacific Medical Center, Iris Environmental, Tessera Technologies, Advent Software, Thoreau Centers for Sustainability and Lonely Planet Publications.

More about the At Your Desk Yoga program

Today’s typical employee spends prolonged hours in front of the computer seldom changing positions or pausing to take a break from their work. The habit of eating meals at the desk, working into the night, and too little exercise, depletes the ability to perform well.

Research shows that poor ergonomics, unnatural lighting and stale air to cause body imbalances that lead to serious health issues such as eyestrain, migraines, ulcers, carpel tunnel syndrome and numerous other Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI).

This stress and imbalance keeps workers from being content, fully present and productive at their jobs.

Help is on the way with At Your Desk Yoga!

At Your Desk Yoga is an accessible one-hour course designed to reduce workplace stress, leaving participants feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. By providing simple, clear instruction, new habitual and healthy patterns can easily integrate into a daily routine.

All the yoga poses and breathing exercises are done right at the desk without changing clothes, driving to a yoga studio or hiring a personal trainer.
These simple techniques release tension while increasing flexibility and strength.

Here are the benefits of a regular practice with At Your Desk Yoga

• Less stress
• Increased energy
• More focus, clarity
• Presence of mind
• Relief of eye strain
• Fewer headaches
• More mobility
• Breath awareness
• Relief from R.S.I. (Repetitive Stress Injury)
• Better posture
• Improved immune system

For more information please contact Jnana at Powerhouse Education 510.734.4122

“Jnana’s knowledge of Yoga and application to the corporate world is effective in helping executives in relieving stress, increasing energy, improving mental performance, and managing emotions; all essential skills to be your best. Her short, simple, easy to learn and easy to do practices give executives the right tools to achieve their goals while maintaining good health. Her program is invaluable for any individual or organization.”
Joshua Seldman, author of Executive Stamina

“Thanks to the research of Herbert Benson M.D. at Harvard Medical School and Jon Kabat-Zinn, M.D. at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center results has shown that yoga and meditation boost immunity and reduce stress. Stress, of course, which can be related to many chronic illnesses; heart disease and cancer to name only two. Many prestigious hospitals such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Columbia Presbyterian in New York City, and HMO’s such as Kaiser Permanente have recognized the validity of this research and offer yoga classes to their patients, a prime example that yoga works.”
Excerpt from Executive Stamina by Dr. Marty Seldman

Jnana combines high energy, a great sense of fun, with the ability to make yoga practical and accessible to everyone. Her contribution to the success of Executive Stamina has been substantial because readers and seminar participants now see that they can use Jnana’s approach to de-stress on the job.

Dr. Marty Seldman, corporate executive coach and author of Executive Stamina and Survival of the Savvy

Jnana’s work was instrumental in making our book holistic and of benefit to executives by giving them exactly what they need most: to be productive, balanced, effective, and sustainable. Her knowledge of Yoga and application to the corporate world is effective in helping executives in relieving stress, increasing energy, improving mental performance, and managing emotions, all essential skills to be your best. Her short, simple, easy to learn and easy to do practices give executives the right tool to achieve their goals while maintaining health and other values and priorities. Her program is invaluable for any individual or organization.

Joshua Seldman, author of Executive Stamina

Jnana Gowan has been a consultant and yoga teacher with our project at California Pacific Medical Center for several years now. She is one of those hard-to-find people who manage to combine being down to earth, full of heart, and able to work with people from all walks of life on one hand, with keen intellect, big picture thinking, and razor sharp skill in teaching yoga and working with the breath on the other. She’s able to apply yogic philosophy to real-world problem solving and optimization of the health of the individual and the environment. All this and a great sense of humor and warmth, I’d recommend her without reservation.

Dr. Cassandra Vieten, Co-Director, Mind Body Medicine Research Group, California Pacific Medical Center, author of Mindful Motherhood, to be released in Spring of 2009

“Off the charts!! A great, concise, easy-to-learn program, and a good staff bonding opportunity to boot!”

Nick L., Principal, Iris Environmental, Oakland, CA

I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Jnana as a colleague, as we have co-coordinated an innovative yoga project for teen women who are pregnant and new moms at the Cal-SAFE school in Oakland.

Jnana is skilled facilitator and teacher, using her unique blend of calming encouragement and no-nonsense, fun-spirited sassiness. She shares helpful knowledge and tangible tips and has the rare ability to create a space that is safe for all. Rather than showing judgment or giving advice, Jnana guides her students in an exploration of themselves, using yoga, meditation, humor and creating a powerful sense of connection within her classes.

Jnana Gowan is a remarkable woman and a true angel. I feel very blessed to have come across her and she has made a wonderful impact in my life. I give her my highest, most enthusiastic recommendation!

Heidi Dunbar, MSW Social Worker, Birth Advocate, Mom

“Jnana’s approach to At Your Desk Yoga is practical and fun. After one session, you WILL feel a genuine yoga workout but without the formality of having to go to a yoga studio. As she was leaving, we discussed re-booking and I – and my co-workers – look forward to her return visit.”

Bruce DeMartini, Tides Shared Spaces – Thoreau Centers for Sustainability