Yoga inched its way onto the corporate scene 25 years ago. Within the last decade, the practice has significantly grown in popularity. Forbes, Apple, Google, and several Fortune 500 companies offer yoga classes as part of their wellness programs. Employers continue to tap into the $10 billion per year industry–but is it worth it? The Benefits Before buying yoga mats wholesale, controllers may need hard numbers to determine an onsite wellness plan’s value. A Harvard study estimates that companies can save more than $3 in health care costs for every dollar spent; RAND studies are more conservative with a $1.50 savings. Also worth noting, health care costs increased by 7% nationwide. A subsequent study by Harvard Business Review calculated that average annual health care costs only increased by 1-2% at firms with onsite wellness programs. In addition to health care savings, companies can cut other costs. An article published in the American Journal of Health Promotion reveals additional savings: wellness programs resulted in 25 percent lower costs related to disability insurance, workers’ compensation, and sick leave. Gallup finds a strong correlation between physically active employees, profitability, productivity, and higher sales. Wellness programs are worth their keep. Yoga as a wellness option offers uniquely relevant benefits. Employees that participate in yoga classes report significant improvements to their health and their sense of wellbeing. The Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester has issued long-term treatment to more than 10,000 patients in its 35-year history. In Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses, participants reported lasting decreases in the symptoms of stress, increased energy, and higher self-esteem. Participants also reported an improved ability to handle stress and cope with workplace challenges. Just how much yoga is needed to see the benefits? A report...

Since 2012, residential and retail sectors have witnessed an influx of adult playgrounds. Inspired by research and projects conducted throughout Asia and Europe, these sites propose a new way for adults to maintain mental and physical health. Unlike in other parts of the world, American businesses are missing out on the benefits of adult playgrounds. Workplace wellness programs have paved the way for healthier, happier employees. Currently, such programs include onsite fitness classes, management led competitions, and gym membership reimbursements. Adding adult playgrounds to the repertoire offers additional benefits and cost savings. The Differences Between Exercise and Play Adult playgrounds add a new dimension to wellness. The health perks of play-based exercise augment the benefits of conventional exercise. Simultaneously, play minimizes the adverse effects of conventional exercise. The physical benefits of exercise are well documented. The psychological benefits, which researchers are still deciphering, include decreased stress, anxiety, and depression; improved problem-solving skills; a boost in confidence; mood management; improved sleep; and the release of endorphins that promote optimism. Corporate wellness initiatives that are rooted in conventional workouts may inadvertently diminish the psychological benefits of exercise. Andre Spicer, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at City University, London and Carl Cederström Associate Professor at Stockholm University recently published Wellness Syndrome. In their book, the team explores the disadvantages of corporate wellness programs: health initiatives in the workplace may increase work-related stress. Some employees equate their fitness levels to their employability. Others begin to see their ability to reach or exceed fitness goals as a reflection of their character. For some employees, workplace health programs add a layer of insecurity and distraction, rather than facilitating happiness and balance. When corporate America embraces play, the focus shifts from calorie-burning and endurance gains to simply having fun. (The aforementioned goals...