Britt Mellergaard specializes in yoga, which can be practiced in the office during working hours. She took her yoga training in India and now shares these techniques in business.

-I myself have sat in an office and felt what it did to my body. It took several trips to the chiropractor and physical therapist until I started going to yoga. Here I experienced a noticeable improvement. My tension and miosis disappeared quite quickly, and I also experienced less stress, better sleep, fewer headaches and just a generally better state of health physically and mentally. In the beginning it was ordinary yoga on a mat as we know it, but I quickly discovered that a company does not necessarily have space for 20 yoga mats, time to set aside 90 minutes, change clothes, possibly baths etc., says Britt Mellergaard.

The combination of exercises and the fact that they take place around the employee's workplace mean that the concept is adapted to companies. The exercises are primarily done on the chair, you don't have to change clothes, and the whole session only lasts 30 minutes. Most companies can help with that. The challenges for companies are usually stress and tension, fatigue and headaches among employees, and according to Britt Mellergaard, yoga works faster than any pill.

- You can actually get through most of the body, and everyone – fat, thin, man, woman, old and young can participate without problems. But one can ask: "Why do we have to sit down? After all, we do that a lot". There are plenty of exercise options out there, and my wish is that, in the long run, the employees do the exercises themselves during the working day, and thus have a better working day and ultimately more good years in the labor market, she says.

The exercises are tailored to reduce stress and tension. As said, the exercises take place primarily sitting on a chair and are aimed at keyboard fingers, screen eyes, mouse arms, tension in the neck and shoulders, stress and headaches. They consist of stretching, breathing exercises, mindfulness, meditation and relaxation.

- Companies are always looking for offers that can improve the working environment and well-being. The advantages of yoga are that everyone can participate, it is a shared experience and thus also more financially profitable than massage and the like. And especially that these are exercises that the employees can do themselves - even when the instructor is not there, says Britt Mellergaard.

Britt has encountered skepticism around companies when they hear the word yoga, but with the increased focus on meditation and mindfulness in the media and all the scientific studies that now exist, the prejudices are fortunately on the way back.

-As soon as people feel the effect of the exercises on their own body, the prejudices are completely destroyed. These are some very powerful and effective techniques that we always have at hand, and which can help us both professionally and privately. When the exercises are incorporated, you get the full benefit.

Yoga also contributes to a good working environment, and Britt's customers emphasize the importance of incorporating yoga into their working day.

- Office Yoga customers report renewed energy and more joy, and that it is a lovely shared experience that is eagerly talked about among the participants, and there is certainly room for laughter too – it is not so solemn. The idea that one's employer does something for their employees certainly creates more job satisfaction, says Britt Mellergaard. And she adds:

-With Kontor-Yoga, we work a lot with mindfulness and concentration, and this not only affects work satisfaction but also efficiency. And there is no doubt that happy employees without stress, headaches and tension in the body work more optimally, says Britt and refers to a study that shows how much a sick leave due to stress and tension costs.

The primary reasons for long-term sick leave are: Muscle and skeletal problems and stress.

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