Helen Goldstein

Hello everyone.   My name is Helen Goldstein, Director of The Work Place Wellness Academy.
 
I am a Yoga teacher and for 13 years owned The Yoga Studio in Toronto, Canada's largest Yoga Studio. In 1996 I was certified by Dr. Deepak Chopra to teach his meditation technique.  
   
I have been delivering wellness programs in the workplace and conferences for 20 years.    I teach traditional and seated yoga,  meditation, visualization, breath awareness and simple coping skills. We offer online workplace wellness teacher trainings for wellness professionals as well as on-site corporate wellness programs. 
 
Thankfully in the last five years I have seen and participated in a huge shift in awareness and acceptance of holistic wellness training.   There is now no question that these practices are powerful and effective and create a happier, more productive team.
 
This was clear to me when I taught the staff at WSIB ( Workman's Comp ) and saw a shift in morale in a very short time.
 
When the Ministry of Health hired me to deliver seated Yoga at one of their conferences I knew (to quote Bob Dylan) that "the times they are a changing." 
 
We all know that wellness in the workplace is a huge issue for companies. I don't have to tell you that for every dollar you spend you get a return of  $4.00 to $6.00.   Of course you know that a happy employee will give more to the company.   There's less sick days and less attrition.     And even more important they are happier at home, which creates a ripple effect.  Everyone is happy. What's not to like?
 
Okay, this is not news.   If it was you wouldn't be an effective human resource professional.     Here's what you may not know.  I love sharing revolutionary information. 
 
Google has an initiative that says a lot about the direction of large and very profitable businesses.  They have publicly declared that Yoga and meditation programs for their employees contributed to the growth of the company.   
 
Google feels so strongly about the effectiveness of these practices that they promote and encourage a meditation training for CEO's .  The program is called Search Inside Yourself.   In fact, The Rotman School of Business, which is associated with University of Toronto Business School, has offered two of these trainings over the last year.   More than 250 CEO's and managers have taken the course .
 
This is a clear indication of how holistic wellness programs have been accepted in the workplace. When senior management becomes more mindful,  that awareness trickles down to the staff and creates a harmonious and dare I say more profitable company.
 
Toronto General Hospital, which is part of the University Health Network, has created an "Oasis" space for their staff.    Here they can learn all kinds of healing modalities including aerobics.   There are rooms for body work, yoga, meditation and workshops. Health care in Canada is facing a crisis because of continuous cuts.   Health care workers are feeling unappreciated and overworked.   Having this Oasis is a strong signal that this hospital cares. Kudos to them.
 
Insurance companies are early adapters to trends in health care for their staff.   They were one of the first businesses to offer massage for employees. I have taught at some of their lunch and learns and was very impressed at the quality of the presentations.   And there was an awareness of what they were serving for lunch. Most of it was really pretty healthy.
 
Insurance companies have all those actuarial tables that confirm that meditation, yoga and wellness management through holistic practices benefits their bottom line.   So most of them have comprehensive programs  for their employees.  
 
Holistic wellness programs are not a fad.   They are a trend.   They are proven and effective.  They will make your company a better place for employees and will enhance your profit.  It's a win win...
 
Go ahead.   Just ask Google, Facebook, Yahoo, George Lucas and Sun Life - and, oh yes - Lulu Lemon.