TOOLS FOR WORK-LIFE BALANCE presented by: Manjula Nadarajah chopra.com/workwell
Three Pillars of Stress Management MEDITATION YOGA AYURVEDA
Origins of The Chopra Center Chopra Center established in 1996 in San Diego is the global source of balance, healing, transformation, and expansion of awareness Deepak Chopra, M.D. David Simon, M.D. Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM) is an ancient technique revived by Dr. Chopra and Dr. Simon in conjunction with scholars in the US and India Over 100,000 people have been taught and 850 teachers have been trained in PSM
Antidote to Stress Stress results from perceiving obstacles to the fulfillment of our needs and desires What stresses are you experiencing? Body responds aggressively to these perceived obstacles or threats the fight/flight response
Fight/Flight Heart beats faster/pumps more blood Blood pressure rises Consume more oxygen and expel more carbon dioxide Perspiration increases Adrenal glands pumps out adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol Release less rejuvenating hormones Immune system suppressed Shunt blood from your digestive organs to your muscles Platelets become stickier Increased glucagon and less insulin, raising blood sugar
Seeds of Illness Regular activation of flight/fight response in non-life threatening situations can weaken our health Change in Physiology Increase blood pressure, heart stress Increase stress hormones Increase blood sugar Decrease circulation to digestive tract Decrease growth, sex hormones Decrease immunity Increase in sticky platelets Leads to Coronary heart disease Anxiety, insomnia, addictions Diabetes, obesity Digestive disturbances Premature aging Infections, cancer Heart attacks, strokes
Restful Awareness During meditation, the body shifts into a state of restful awareness which counterbalances the fight/flight response Heart rate slows/pumps less blood Blood pressure normalizes Consume less oxygen and expel less carbon dioxide Perspire less Adrenal glands produce less adrenaline and cortisol
Restful Awareness Produce more rejuvenating hormones (DHEA, growth hormone) Immune function improves Breathing slows Platelet function normalizes
Inspired Leadership Great leaders are those who can respond to their own needs and the needs of others from the highest levels of spirit with vision, creativity and a sense of unity with the people they lead. The hallmarks of inspired leadership are creativity, intelligence, organizing power and love. Many Fortune 500 companies offer meditation and mindfulness classes for employees Top executives of many major corporations say that meditation has made them better leaders.
Daily Habits of Outrageously Successful People It s almost like a reboot for your brain and your soul, - Padmasree Warrior, CTO, Cisco Systems During difficult times Ford would set an intention to go through the day and lead with compassion - Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Knowing for sure there is the constancy of stillness. Only from that space can you create your best work and your best life. - Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Productions, Inc. "Stress-reduction and mindfulness don't just make us happier and healthier, they're a proven competitive advantage for any business that wants one," - President, Huffington Post Media Group
Software of the Soul
Meditation and Conscious Choice Making Having an awareness of the software of the soul allows us to recognize our conditioned patterns of behavior Through meditation we can break this cycle which enables us to make new choices that are creative, healing and transformational.
Present Moment Tools STOP Stop Take 3 deep breaths Observation without evaluation Proceed with awareness Breath Awareness
Ayurveda 5000 year-old consciousness based system of healing from India Understanding and aligning with the rhythms of nature Health is the state of vibrant balance in which all the layers of one s life are integrated Western Model: Health is the absence of a definable disease Ayurvedic Model: Dis-ease is the absence of vibrant health
Five Elements Building Blocks of Nature Space Air Fire Water Earth Potential Change Transform Cohesive Structure
Three Doshas Mind-Body Constitutions Space Air Fire Water Earth Pitta Vata Kapha 16
Learn Your Constitution! Take the Dosha Quiz
Mind-Body Patterns One or two doshas predominate in most people Experiences and choices influence current state 18
Vata Resembling the Wind Characteristics Thin, light frame Variable digestion and sleep patterns Dry skin and hair Cold hands and feet Moves and talks quickly Resists routine Welcomes new experiences Balanced Energetic Creative Adaptable Shows initiative Good communicator Spontaneous Imbalanced Overactive Mind Anxiety Worry Inconsistency Insomnia Constipation Gas, bloating 19
Managing Vata Imbalance in the Workplace Vata OUT OF BALANCE: Anxious, Overwhelmed, Forgetful, Nervous, Disorganized. What did I do wrong? BALANCE WITH: Organized work spaces, earth tones, grounding exercises (breath awareness), stability and routine work flow
Pitta Fiery Nature Characteristics Medium build Strong digestion Warm body temp Sleeps soundly for short periods Sharp intellect Direct and precise Stays close to routine Courageous Balanced Bright Warm, friendly Good decisionmaker Leader Strong digestion Imbalanced Angry Irritable Excessively critical Judgmental Aggressive Skin rashes Inflammation Indigestion 21
Managing Pitta Imbalance in the Workplace Pitta OUT OF BALANCE: Irritable, Judgmental, Angry, Rash Decision Making, Critical. What did YOU do wrong? BALANCE WITH: Cooling tones (blues and greens), soothing work spaces (water feature), shared goals and ambitions.
Kapha Solid in Nature Characteristics Sturdy Smooth skin and thick hair Deep sound sleep Slow moving Good stamina Easygoing Methodical, thoughtful nature Enjoys routine Balanced Steady Consistent Loyal Strong Supportive Content Calm Imbalanced Dull Inert Needy Attached Congested Overweight Complacent Overly protective 23
Managing Kapha Imbalance in the Workplace Kapha OUT OF BALANCE: Complacent, Needy, Attached, Overly Protective, Inflexible. Is something wrong? BALANCE WITH: Invigorating colors (red and orange), lively discussion, de-cluttered work spaces, regular activity breaks. 24
1. Smell 2. Touch 3. Sight 4. Sound 5. Taste The Five Gateways 25
Balance is Key to Life
Wellbeing in the Workplace If every employee felt vital, rejuvenated, balanced, focused, at ease A whole new paradigm is created within the organization.
TOOLS FOR WORK-LIFE BALANCE presented by: Manjula Nadarajah chopra.com/workwell