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What Yoga has Taught me About HR

Justin Chen, an Associate with ChapmanCG, talks about his love of yoga, its synergy with HR, and how it makes him successful in his job.

As a trained yoga instructor and an HR practitioner, over the years I have gained inspiration in my yoga practice, which has been valuable to me in my career development. I believe many benefits can be derived from yoga, and what the practice has taught me can be utilised in a business context. One reason I became a yoga instructor seven years ago was that I enjoyed practicing and wanted to share my yoga experience with those around me. I have taught yoga in the Netherlands and Taiwan, and following are three key lessons I have learned in my yoga practice that Iā€™ve taken off the mat and into my career.

How Hard Should You Try?

One of my favourite teachers once said, ā€œThere is no yoga posture that canā€™t be achieved.ā€ Yoga to me is about creating space, both mentally and physically. I have seen so many students improve their flexibility, compassion, and understanding as they practice yoga. I have also seen them gain respect for their own bodies, as well as for those around them, while building confidence and positive energy through practicing many beneficial, yet taxing postures. Practicing yoga is a balancing act of challenging your body and progressing without causing injury.

Many students have asked me how hard they should push themselves to work on a posture, to get the benefits without injuring themselves. In fact, over-stretching is a typical mistake in yoga, because it is not always easy to know when you have crossed the line from a deep stretch to muscle damage. My answer to that question is to stretch as far as you can while still breathing comfortably. This is equally true in business. In my first job with Taiwanā€™s biggest fitness club where I started my yoga journey, I encountered company bankruptcy because the organisation didnā€™t understand its limitations and expanded too aggressively. I have used this experience, and since then I have also gained understanding about my boundaries and capabilities. More is not always better.

Take it Slowly

Sirsasana, headstand, or the ā€˜king of yoga poses,ā€™ as it is sometimes called, is a pose that many students want to master. Whenever my students asked for guidance with this pose, I encouraged them to first practice Sarvangasana, or shoulder stand, to strengthen the core and get accustomed to inversions, or going upside down. Headstand requires strong neck muscles, extensive focus and of course overcoming the fear of inversion; therefore, it takes patience and tenacity to accomplish.

It reminds me of the Chinese proverb: Success will come when conditions are ripe. First, ensure you have the right foundation and build up the strength and stamina for what you want to achieve. During my time in recruitment, I have witnessed a number of people taking sabbatical leave to get away from their overly demanding jobs. What if they had taken it slowly, applied a yogic understanding to their careers, and taken the necessary actions to avoid burnout? Mastering their ā€˜foundation postureā€™ and progressing step by step at work may have made the difference in terms of being able to balance their work while achieving their long term career goals. As an HR practitioner, I am always happy to see my candidates have a healthy work-life balance, and see them grow steadily and gradually.

Donā€™t Compare

Michael Porter, a leading authority on competitive strategy, once said, ā€œThe granddaddy of all mistakes is competing to be the best.ā€ How can a competitive strategist recommend that people do not compete? Without ego and competition, one can enjoy and improve bit by bit while listening to oneā€™s body with integrity. For a few years, in extremely sales-driven roles in my early career, I competed persistently with my colleagues, while striving to be the top performer. Part of the reason for this was because I had a very aggressive boss who fostered a competitive atmosphere in the organisation. Choosing a career mentor is like choosing the right yoga instructor. As a yoga teacher, I strove to challenge my students to test themselves, taking care not to demoralise them or quash their interest in yoga. Great career mentors serve the same purpose. In my current team, I finally realise that work is not about competing with people around me; itā€™s about providing the best service to the client, as a good team player. Yoga has taught me to focus on myself and do my best ā€” on the mat and at work – without over-stretching or comparing.

Many people ask me why I stopped teaching yoga, and the truth is that I aspire to be an HR professional, rather than a Yoga Master. I have found ChapmanCG, a company with a strong emphasis on the work-life balance, and I am able to progress in my professional life, while maintaining my yoga practice. I enjoy helping my HR clients succeed with the right match, just as I appreciated helping my yoga students grow. I will always practice yoga, and I know that it will continue to influence and motivate me both on the mat and in the workplace.

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