Divan Dave, CEO of Integrated Systems Management, Inc., believes that workplace stress is an ongoing problem in this age of downsizing, information overload and job insecurity. As a result, he promotes and supports yoga practice for his employees in Tarrytown, NY and Ahmedabad, India.

 “Yoga is a type of complementary and alternative medicine that can alleviate stress and anxiety,” says Dave, noting that yoga is ideal for his software developers, who spend long hours in front of their computers. “I believe that practicing yoga helps them be healthier and less stressed, so we hold yoga classes in our India office and we pay for our Tarrytown employees to take classes at Riverstone Yoga.”

Dave says that several of his software engineers report that yoga has now become part of their lives. “Some have lost weight, while others feel more relaxed and less physically stiff,” he says.

Many yoga teachers in Westchester and Putnam Counties are willing to hold private group classes at workplaces as well as in their studios, Dave notes, and some health insurance plans offer discounts on yoga classes through their alternative medicine programs. “A new study out of Wayne State University finds that just 20 minutes of yoga is enough to influence concentration, focus and the ability to learn in positive ways,” says Dave. “It’s worthwhile to make time for yoga during the workday.”

Contact Divan Dave at [email protected]. For more info visit ismnet.com and riverstoneyoga.com.