Getting people to do something much more difficult than taking their medicine or having surgery: altering their daily behavior, like their eating and exercise habits.

As we move into 2007, we are going to be introducing a range of programs that we are calling 'complementary care' programs (its a working name). These programs are all connected by their roots in traditional yogic science, but are also well grounded in traditional western medical evaluation and testing. Our community of teachers firmly believe in the capacity of yoga to make a difference in people's health, in their well-being, and in their experience of their lives. The evidence continues to mount, day after day, BUT, the question is always going to be the one that this NY Times article refers to - are people going to change, or do they just want to take a pill?

As a society, can we continue to afford to pay huge amounts for health care to treat disease that can be treated more gently, more effectively and even prevented by simple modifications and additions to our daily practices?

Yoga can make an enormous difference in people's health, especially in some of the most intractable (for western medicine) and chronic areas - low back pain, stress, things like carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress injuries. Already, we are making some progress. Physicians regularly advise patients undergoing cancer treatment to get support through a regular yoga practice, and many ob/gyns suggest pregnant moms do yoga (the breathing combined with the specific type of exercise is a great combination).

Clearly, yoga has a contribution to make, to well being, societal cost reduction and health. We intend to keep exploring this in 2007!

Rich (Raghurai)

Work 'ethic'. An important aspect of our work lives to consider, especially if we intend to bring forth a life that has a balance that supports living and working more 'yogically'. Here's an article (you can listen or read) from Knowledge @ Wharton, Reluctant Vacationers: Why Americans Work More, Relax Less, than Europeans. Useful to hear some perspective on the many possible reasons for why the difference is so great between Americans and Europeans in attitude and practice regarding vacations. Here's a quote..

Europeans seem to place a higher value on leisure, while Americans tend to prefer earning and spending. As a result, Americans on average own bigger cars, bigger houses and more vacation homes, says Witold Rybczynski, a Wharton real estate professor.

In contrast, Europeans' self worth is often tied up not with whether they drive a Lexus or a Porsche but with their ability to enjoy a hefty holiday

Of course, we can get too attached to either time, or money!

For years we have strived to bring our benefits (of which vacations are only one aspect) up to a high standard, and to make them accessible to the entire organization. This is economically difficult, but I think worthwhile. It allows us to bring forth our values - in action - and allows us to 'engage' with the issues around balance in profit, viability and 'equity' among all team members.