Changes

=== Yoga and the work life ===

=== Yoga and the work life ===

A series of techniques collectively known as ‘yoga’ present a rich source for generating indigenous organisational development techniques that may perhaps find better acceptance than imported intervention designs from the West (Srinivas, 1994). ‘Originally developed for personal spiritual growth, yoga offers a well formulated approach to planned change’ (Srinivas, 1994, p 271).  

A series of techniques collectively known as ‘yoga’ present a rich source for generating indigenous organisational development techniques that may perhaps find better acceptance than imported intervention designs from the West<ref name=":4" />. ‘Originally developed for personal spiritual growth, yoga offers a well formulated approach to planned change’ (<ref name=":4" />, p 271).  

On the topic of spirituality in the workplace, Sangster (2003) reemphasises that ‘it is possible to lead a spiritual way of life without following any particular religious path’ (p 16). In Sangster’s opinion, spiritual workers are those who think cooperatively and/or altruistically; have a balanced, objective view of the world; listen as much as (or more than) they speak; apply three dimensional bigger picture thinking; believe in a higher driving force and purpose beyond humankind; find the time to think things through objectively; think laterally in order to promote realistic solutions; encourage and empower others self- lessly; work open mindedly with a wide range of people; consistently display integrity and trust; and, expect the best from people without being a soft touch.  

On the topic of spirituality in the workplace, Sangster (2003)<ref>Sangster, C. (2003). Spirituality in the workplace: Finding the holistic happy medium. Training Journal, Page 16</ref> reemphasizes that ‘it is possible to lead a spiritual way of life without following any particular religious path’. In Sangster’s opinion, spiritual workers are those who think cooperatively and/or altruistically; have a balanced, objective view of the world; listen as much as (or more than) they speak; apply three dimensional bigger picture thinking; believe in a higher driving force and purpose beyond humankind; find the time to think things through objectively; think laterally in order to promote realistic solutions; encourage and empower others selflessly; work open mindedly with a wide range of people; consistently display integrity and trust; and, expect the best from people without being a soft touch.  

Giacalone and Jurkiewicz (2003) stress yet another major advantage of nurturing the spiritual mindset within each worker in the organisationdethicality. They assert that fundamental aspects of workplace spirituality, such as meaningful work that provides a feeling of purpose, a sense of connection and positive social relations with co-workers, and the ability to live an integrated life in which the work role does not conflict with the essential nature of a person as a human being, may interact to create different perceptions of ethicality within the organisation (p 85).  

Giacalone and Jurkiewicz<ref>Giacalone, R. A., & Jurkiewicz, C. L. (2003). Right from wrong: The influence of spirituality on perceptions of unethical business activities. Journal of Business Ethics, 46(1), Page 85.</ref>(2003) stress yet another major advantage of nurturing the spiritual mindset within each worker in the organisation-ethicality. They assert that fundamental aspects of workplace spirituality, such as meaningful work that provides a feeling of purpose, a sense of connection and positive social relations with co-workers, and the ability to live an integrated life in which the work role does not conflict with the essential nature of a person as a human being, may interact to create different perceptions of ethicality within the organisation.  

Most of the work available on the subject of the impact of yoga on work life/management centres around the impact of transcendental meditation (TM) on various aspects of management. Transcendental meditation is the skill of effortlessly minimising mental activity so that the body settles into a state of rest deeper than deep sleep while the mind becomes clear and alert (Orme-Johnson, Zimmerman, & Hawkins, 1992). A review of over 500 experimental studies conducted in over 200 Universities in 33 countries (Orme-Johnson et al., 1992) revealed that TM helps expand consciousness, decrease oxygen intake and stress level, increase basal skin resistance and coherence in the electro encephalo gram (EEG) and virtually suspends breathing up to 1 minute.  

Most of the work available on the subject of the impact of yoga on work life/management centres around the impact of transcendental meditation (TM) on various aspects of management. Transcendental meditation is the skill of effortlessly minimising mental activity so that the body settles into a state of rest deeper than deep sleep while the mind becomes clear and alert (Orme-Johnson, Zimmerman, & Hawkins, 1992). A review of over 500 experimental studies conducted in over 200 Universities in 33 countries (Orme-Johnson et al., 1992) revealed that TM helps expand consciousness, decrease oxygen intake and stress level, increase basal skin resistance and coherence in the electro encephalo gram (EEG) and virtually suspends breathing up to 1 minute.