Interview: Jessica Heynis and Philippe Brawerman Talk about Yoga in the Workplace

Interview by Dylan Robertson

Yoga and business have little in common historically and are even considered by some to be opposed to each other. On August 30–31, 2010, Jessica Heynis and Philippe Brawerman will teach a workshop at YogaJaya that introduces yogic tools and concepts to the business environment. Having a background in the corporate world myself, I was intrigued to learn more and interviewed the pair about how the practical application of yoga assists the psychological and emotional needs of the individual in the context of their career or their business.

Jessica Heynis is from South Africa and has a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge. After completing her PhD, she taught Economics at the University of Cape Town and worked as an economist for a private bank in South Africa. She completed a Yoga Alliance certified teacher training program with Jim Harrington in Cape Town in 2009.

Philippe Brawerman was born in Belgium. After completing a degree in engineering and an MBA, Philippe’s corporate career culminated in him becoming president of Cisco Systems EMEA in the early ’90s. He experienced the stellar growth of the company and gained experience in managing a very large corporate entity in a rapidly changing environment. Philippe finished the ’90s by exiting the corporate world with the knowledge that he had achieved what he had aimed to professionally and with the wish to pursue other aspects of life. In 2009 he completed a Yoga Alliance certified teacher training program with Jim Harrington in Cape Town.

The pair are based in Cape Town and teach together.

How many times have you been to Japan? What were your first impressions?

This is our second visit. Japan won us over completely; few places in the world embody such a mix of tradition and forward thinking, beauty and efficiency, design and functionality, subtlety and raw energy. However, we also experienced a society that seemed to be on some level fragmented, disconnected, and anxious, despite the prosperity and comfort enjoyed by the majority of the population.

What will you be teaching in Tokyo and what can students expect in your workshops here?

Historically, the disciplines of yoga and business share little in common and are even considered antagonistic by some. Our workshop aims to bridge this gap by introducing yogic tools and concepts to the business environment. Students can expect an interactive workshop that will show how yoga can be recruited to not only improve the efficiency and experience of one’s own individual career, but also what tools are available that can aid a business in the strategic planning and execution of initiatives.

What inspired you to offer yoga to the business world?

Together, we share a background in the academic and corporate worlds. We both felt unfulfilled and unbalanced in that environment, and after leaving we formalized our experience and knowledge of yoga. We increasingly felt that we could combine our knowledge of the corporate
world with the teachings and tools of yoga in order to offer a solution to businesses. This solution would improve the happiness and productivity of their employees, while being consistent
with management practices and their idea of success.

How can yoga enhance and improve the efficiency and experience of one’s career?

Studying and practicing yoga increases the degrees of freedom available to the individual, including in their role as an employer or employee. It allows one to better perceive reality and to act accordingly, often with greater equanimity, clarity, and creativity. This is a vital and very useful skill in any career.

What tools does yoga offer that can aid a business in the strategic planning and execution of initiatives?

Organizations face various obstacles to success, including, for example, false perceptions of reality, excessive ego, attachment to ways of doing, fear of change, and time-management issues. Yoga is concerned with cultivating a clearer perception of reality and is an excellent tool to introduce “soft” discipline into the world of business, while increasing the creative aspect of the work that is performed. The use of pranayama and meditation are especially beneficial in this regard. Yoga also offers a systematic and highly technical way of combating ego, through, for example, regular asana practice. In combination, these practices allow businesses to better perceive their competitive environment and to react to it in a more systematic and consistent way. A clearer plan can be developed, which is executed by employees who are more focused, more productive, and less stressed.

Do you have any case studies that show yoga helped business performance?

Yes. See for example a case study published in 2003 by Davidson and Kabat-Zin et al. documenting the positive effects of meditation on employee stress and work performance.

What common misconceptions or issues are preventing businesses from embracing yoga programs for their workplaces?

There are many! A common misconception is that yoga and business are incompatible and that the cost—especially in terms of time—of offering yoga in the workplace outweighs the benefits. Yoga is often seen exclusively as a form of physical exercise. Many people also associate yoga with religion, which doesn’t in their mind fit into a secular organizational environment. Yoga is an ancient discipline and the value of its teachings might not be obvious to businesses that see themselves as innovators, at the cutting edge of their professions. Furthermore, the benefits of yoga are often available over the longer term. This may be difficult to grasp for businesses that ordinarily operate according to quarterly results.

Is there anything you would especially like to see or do during your visit to Japan?

It is hard to single out one thing or another. We are very much looking forward to experiencing the endless variety that Japan has to offer: the food, the mix of culture and tradition, the wonderful examples of design and architecture, and the sophistication and vision of the people.

For more information about Jessica Heynis and Philippe Brawerman, please see their website: www.karmashalayoga.co.za

Details of their upcoming Tokyo workshop can be found here:
http://yogajaya.com/en/workshops/2010_08_pj.html