EVELYN M SPANGLER

Owner

Topeka Yoga Network

I graduated from Emporia State University in 2008 and went right to graduate school at Washburn University for clinical psychology. It was not long before I realized that path was not for me.Helping people discover how strong they are is what keeps me motivated. When I teach a class my number one priority is safety. Alignment of the body is so important in everything we do, on and off the mat. How and why I am sequencing a class is EVERYTHING. Corporate yoga is a niche that I did not see myself getting so involved with. However, after I started teaching at a couple of corporations I realized, these people are here to do what they can. They are not worried about yoga stereotypes. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of something that allows you to both connect with people and make a difference in their lives.   Due to the repetitive nature of many people’s jobs, corporate yogis have their work cut out for them on the mat. A large percentage of the business people we work with have pain or weakness issues with their hands or wrists from being on the computer a lot. We have found that, similar to private yoga sessions, corporations benefit from personalized classes that are formatted around their specific needs. Furthermore we find that the convenience of yoga coming to the company, helps people stick with a practice and reach their goals more consistently. One of the things I excelled at in my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in psychology and even while I was working on my master’s degree in clinical psychology is research.  I found that I added value to evaluations and medical issues because of my persistent need to research and understand how things work physically and mentally. I was able to transfer that skill directly into my new profession.  I use that skill every day to re-work sequences and research chronic pain issues to help my clients. My research shows that there is evidence that suggests even one yoga class a week can create noticeable changes in an employee.   Employees soon experience better stress management, think more outside the box, have better communication amongst co-workers, a noted rise in confidence, and overall are more productive in the workplace. Being part of that type of change in every company we work with is exciting!Because yoga is so easy to integrate into a company’s wellness program, most companies will see immediate rewards with very little outlay.  We provide all the equipment, mats, blocks, etc, and are willing to teach in any available room. Once employees begin to notice changes in their strength, their flexibility, and their energy level,  maintaining a consistent health routine becomes easier to stick to.I love every day of my work and hope that soon I can….See you on the mat :)