​

MIND

 

Mindfulness

 

What is it?

Mindfulness is the practice of being present.

​

Why do it? 

We are under constant bombardment to our senses. Whether we’d be completing our daily tasks, planning ahead or worrying about what happened in the past, our minds are active more than ever. Our minds are in a state of flight or fight (albeit a minor version) throughout our waking day. We’re being constantly bombarded with phone notifications, emails and other things that demand our attention. The brain simply needs a break so that we can take stock and refresh.

​

What are the benefits?

•    Calmer mentality
•    Reduced stress & anxiety 
•    Improved decision-making
•    Increased focus and concentration
•    Improved self-awareness and self-esteem
•    Fostering kindness
•    Emotional healing

 

When should I do it?

Any time you can fit it in. Daily meditation has incredible benefits, but you should aim for a minimum of about 10 mins of meditation, twice a week. Find a quiet space, turn off your phone and remove other distractions. 
Below is a link to a guided meditation you can do on YouTube. Also Azora hosts mindfulness, Reiki healing mediation and all our yoga classes include mediation. 

​

 

MIND, BODY & SOUL

 

Yoga

 

What is it?

Yoga truly has the potential to benefit both the mind, body and soul. There are many different variances of yoga, mostly originating in western countries. The practice originated in India about 5,000 years ago and is Sanskrit for 'union' or 'unite'. This union is not a

physical one, but “that which brings you to reality.” 

The most common form of yoga is 'Hatha' Yoga, which focus’s on balancing the body and mind.

Here’s some of the others you may of heard of:

Vinyasa: a seamless flow of various asana along with Pranayama. Each sequence is unique

and ever-changing similar to the flow of life.

Kundalini awakens the 'Kundalini' energies that lies dormant at the base of the spine

and travels upward through the chakras. It includes intense breathing, energizing

movements and chanting.

Ashtanga is an intense form of Yoga, which includes various postures. The Asanas

(or postures) are combined with the breath and progress into advanced asana to

tone and master the body.

Iyengar is a versatile form of Hatha Yoga which includes the use of props such as blocks, cushions

and straps, and is, therefore, suitable for all body types and capabilities.

Bikram, which is also known as 'Hot Yoga,' is done in a closed room that has been heated to a high

temperature and humidity level. This is a new form of Yoga dedicated to sweating out those toxins.

 

Why do it?

Our modern lifestyles feature stress, sitting most of the day and less focus on self-care. Yoga has is a

perfect combination of de-stressing breathing, physical stretching, mobility and meditation for our lives

today. 

What are the benefits?

• Decreased risk of musculoskeletal disorders/cumulative trauma disorders.

• Reduced muscle fatigue and soreness. Less joint wear and tear, and reduced osteoarthritis joint stiffness and pain.

• Provides meditation and a mindful mental break from the work routine, resulting in reduced stress.

• Improved balance and posture.

• More energy resulting from increased blood supply and nutrients to muscles, tendons, and joints.

 

When should I do it?

If you’re working hard at your PC all day, you’ll find it hard to break concentration to do some stretching. Here’s some ideas to help you fit a couple of 30 minute sessions per week (which should be your minimum):

1. Do the stretching when you’re not working. Try doing a routine before you have breakfast, lunch or just before you go to bed. 

2. If you can only do it during working hours, then book time in your calendar and treat it as an important meeting that can’t be moved.

3. If you're short of time then just do yoga so you combine all the added benefits.

​

​

​

 

Masterclasses

 

What are they?

Azora masterclasses are a chance to focus on self-improvement. Many of us benefit from continual learning and need the latest greatest thinking to ensure their wellbeing encompasses grow in knowledge too. After all, knowledge is power.

​

We are constantly inundated with wellbeing advice and much of it has not been vetted or edited to ensure it is reliable. We do the vetting and curation of the masterclass practitioners to ensure it meets your needs.

 

Why do them?

In around an hour you can sit back and absorb knowledge easily via a virtual video call where ever you are. Azora will put on masterclasses that truly boost your wellbeing knowledge, whether they be about improving your time management or sleep patterns. 

​

What are the benefits?

• Boost your knowledge and skills.

• Uncover some great tips on how to improve yourself.

• Meet leading practitioners who you can connect with for 1-1 sessions for more detail, if required.

 

When should I do them?

When ever you're free. Azora will try to schedule these sessions in the evening so your mind is free from work distractions and is ready to learn.

​

​

BODY

​

Ergonomics

 

What is it?

Ergonomics refers to anything that influences the positive interaction with your environment;

specifically, at Azora we're interested in improving your physical and emotional comfort

while working. So we want to help analyse and improve your seating position,

posture, acoustic and visual performance while working at your desk.

 

Why do it?

Poor ergonomics can impact on your productivity and health. If you're not sitting with

to correct posture, you could end up with acute physical or emotion stressors.  

​

What are the benefits?

• Decreased risk of musculoskeletal disorders/cumulative trauma disorders.

• Reduced muscle fatigue and soreness. 

• Better emotional wellbeing.

• Improved balance and posture.

• More energy resulting from increased blood supply and nutrients to muscles, tendons, and joints.

• Increased productivity 

 

When should I do it?

Azora can provide experts to review each staff member once per year. But it depends upon your initial assessment. The assessment can take a few minutes, but if many things need changing then a review to check on the performance of those changes might be required. 

​

​

MIND & BODY 

 

Physical Exercise

 

What is it?

In order to support our wellbeing, we classify physical exercise as any form of exercise that involves more than one muscle group that is longer than 10 minutes in duration and over 2 hours per week. This could even include walking, doing vigorous housework or manual labour.

 

Why do it?

As we all know, exercise is key to overall health. Our bodies are designed to move everyday, and without movement our bodies can give up, making muscles and joints function less effectively. It also has a big impact on our emotional wellbeing since serotonin, the 'happy hormone' is released during exercise. 

​

What are the benefits?

• Musular and joint health

• Improved balance and inner strength.

• More energy resulting from increased blood supply and nutrients to muscles, tendons, and joints.

 

When should I do it?

If you’re working hard at your PC all day, you’ll find it hard to break concentration to do some stretching. Here’s some ideas to help you fit a couple of 30 minute sessions per week (which should be your minimum):

1. Do the stretching when you’re not working. Try doing a routine before you have breakfast, lunch or just before you go to bed. 

2. If you can only do it during working hours, then book time in your calendar and treat it as an important meeting that can’t be moved.

3. Sign up for a yoga class and get the added benefit of meditation and breathing exercises too.

​

​

SOUL

​

Social Clubs

 

What are they?

Azora social clubs are a variety of periodic or one off sessions purely to enhance us in a

relaxing, informal and interactive way. We have put on book clubs, quizzes and even story

reading for kids. Some of these sessions are ideas from members and even hosted by them too. 

​

Why do them?

We all need a break. Our emotional and physical wellbeing needs balance with self-indulgent 

reward too. Life is too short not to have some fun too, right?

​

What are the benefits?

• Boosts happiness and relaxation

• Widen your social network

 

When should I do them?

When ever you're free. Azora will try to schedule these sessions in the evening so your mind is free from work distractions and is ready to have a bit of fun.

​

​

BODY & SOUL

​

Breathwork

​

What is it?

Breathwork is any number of breathing practices and breath techniques performed to improve physical or mental wellbeing. Breath work has been around in Yoga for hundreds of years (called  Pranayama), but recently it has remerged in light of our modern lifestyles. Completing a full breath cycle involves your whole body—your chest, belly, back, and mind. It takes effort to coordinate all elements of the breath, even though the simple process seems effortless. Breathwork can also be spiritual. When you practice, you can move beyond your body and mind, and connect with your core spirit—your Self.

​

Why do them?

As we're fairly sedentary these days, we often don't give sufficient focus on exercising the very thing that keeps us alive - our breathing! It has been linked with keeping our immune system active and cell-regrowth to prologue our life.

​

What are the benefits?

• Strengthens immune system

• Improves blood flow and digestion

• Lower your blood pressure

• Boosts happiness and relaxation

 

When should I do it?

It all depends. If you want to go deep into the spiritual side, then everyday about 10mins per day. For health benefits a little less regular. Like anything beneficial, you get out what you put in!

​

​

​

MIND & SOUL

​

Meditation

​

What is it?

Mediation is steeped in history and mysticism, but at Azora, our focus is on de-stressing, relaxing and healing mediation. There are several forms we offer, but they are all based upon Yoga and Reiki traditions. Yoga, focuses on breathing to take your attention away from stressful thinking. Reiki uses visualisation to help heal emotional and physical pains. Both are best guided, before you're able to do on your own.

​

Why do them?

Focusing your attention upon your 'self' with care and intimacy is often lacking from our lives. We rarely get time to ourselves without modern distractions, so having a class can be an excellent opportunity to give yourself some much needed care.

​

What are the benefits?

• Calmer mentality

• Reduced stress & anxiety

• Boosts happiness and relaxation

• Improved decision-making

• Increased focus and concentration

• Improved self-awareness and self-esteem

• Fostering kindness

• Emotional healing

 

When should I do it?

Most people benefit from the healing Reiki once a week for as long as they need. But for yoga meditation, once or twice a week is recommended and the benefit of yoga is you get the other benefits too!

​

​

Counselling

​

What is it?

Counselling is typically one-to-one sessions with a trained practitioner to talk through specific emotional issues that are preventing you from living the life you want. At Azora, our focus is on anything that is preventing you from success in work. 

​

Why do it?

Many of us would benefit from talking about the challenges we face. Counsellors have the skills to help guide you through self-solving routes that have great results.

​

What are the benefits?

• Overcome longstanding issues 

• Boost productivity

• Increase confidence

• Improve resilience

 

When should I do it?

As and when you need. Counselling sessions are typically one hour per week.