8 Tips to successfully introduce yoga at work

A guide for HR and team leaders to bring accessible wellbeing into the workplace

Creating a workplace culture that supports holistic wellness often requires creativity, commitment—and a willingness to try something new. As employee wellbeing becomes a key pillar in organisational strategy, many HR teams are turning to yoga as a cost-effective and impactful solution that supports both mental and physical health.

Why Yoga at Work?

Yoga is a form of mind-body fitness that combines movement with breath awareness and mindful focus. It enhances strength, flexibility, and balance, while also reducing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.

Importantly for busy office environments, workplace yoga requires minimal space and resources—just a few mats and a qualified teacher. And with yoga becoming more mainstream, many employees who might never have considered attending a studio are now open to trying it at work.

Studies have shown that just one weekly yoga session can increase employee effectiveness, boost positivity, and improve workplace behaviour.

So how do you encourage non-yogis to give it a go—and keep them coming back?

9 Tips to Launch a Successful Workplace Yoga Program

1. Secure Leadership Buy-In
   When leadership leads by example, participation and enthusiasm increase. Senior team members attending the first few sessions sends a strong message.

2. Gauge Employee Interest
   Share the idea of workplace yoga and invite feedback. A quick survey can help assess interest levels, preferred class times, and comfort with different styles.

3. Find Something for Everybody
   Not everyone wants to roll out a yoga mat—and that’s okay. Offer a mix of options to meet your team’s diverse needs:

   • Time: Choose morning, lunch, or afternoon—whatever works best for your team’s schedule.

   • Style: Include gentle flows, stretch-based movement, or calming breathwork and mindfulness sessions.

   • Format: Offer onsite, online, or hybrid options for flexibility across remote or multi-location teams.

   • Accessibility: Include chair yoga or movement that’s not even called yoga—just gentle stretching, mindfulness, or breath awareness. Many of these subtle practices can be done in work clothes at a desk.
     Remember: meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork are also yoga. And sometimes, they’re the most powerful gateway for beginners.

4. Choose the Right Teacher
   Partner with a provider who can tailor sessions to suit all levels and provide individual support where needed.

5. Run a Trial Class
   Offer a one-off introductory session. Promote it with posters, emails, or internal social platforms to generate curiosity and engagement.

6. Nominate a Wellness Champion
   Find a team member who enjoyed the trial or is passionate about wellbeing. They can help build momentum and act as a point of contact.

7. Set a Schedule That Works
   Ask employees for input: would they prefer morning, lunchtime, or late afternoon? A 45–60 minute weekly class over 8–10 weeks is a great place to start.

8. Work With Your Budget
   If there’s no funding available from leadership, explore co-contribution models. Many teams are happy to pay a small fee, especially if the classes are on-site and affordable.

9. Offer Incentives
   Boost engagement with small rewards—healthy snacks, coffee vouchers, shoutouts in the team newsletter, or time-off incentives. You might even partner with a local café for discounts in exchange for promotion.