Hatha Yoga Reduces Blood Pressure in Mildly Hypertensive Patients

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Hatha yoga introduced to individuals with mild to moderate hypertension appears to lower blood pressure, and while the reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure aren't earth-shattering, they might just be enough to avoid starting antihypertensive medications, say researchers.

"We know with prehypertension it is a risk factor for cardiovascular events, so in these people yoga would definitely have a benefit," lead investigator Dr Debbie Cohen (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) told heartwire . "With a reduction of 4 to 5 mm Hg, you could really have an impact on their cardiovascular-disease risk. I think you should obviously use yoga as an adjunct to other lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss. But with yoga, you could, perhaps, avoid the need for medication."  

WHAT ARE 700 GLOBAL CEO'S NUMBER 1 CONCERNS                                                                            

Communicate L&D value or risk budget cuts

16 May 2013 HR Daily

According to a global survey of more than 700 CEOs, human capital challenges are the number one issue for CEOs at the moment.

Nicholas Sutcliffe, the executive director of The Conference Board, says that many Australian CEOs are focusing on enhancing the effectiveness of their senior management team, which is good news for HR.

When a learning and development budget is cut, it's usual to blame tough times, but in fact the problem could well lie with HR, according to Nicholas Sutcliffe, executive director of The Conference Board.

Tim Tams and a Talent Mindset

If I had genie-like powers and could grant clients instant wishes, after the never-ending packet of tim tam jokes subside, a “talent mindset” would top many lists.

A talent mindset is the deep-seated belief that an organisation’s talent differentiates it from its rivals and is a source of competitive advantage. It is evident when an organisation’s leaders, HR function and employees all consider talent management to be part of their job and are accountable and incentivised for carrying it out. While all three play a role in embedding a talent mindset, it cannot be overlooked that senior leaders have the greatest impact.

Tap into meditation skills to shed light on your finances.

If looking at your budget causes you feelings of dread or guilt (Why don't I save more? Do I really spend that much on eating out?), consider this: Yoga's powerful tools for working with your mind can help you approach money matters with consciousness and compassion. Setting a budget can be like meditation. It gives you an opportunity to observe your spending and saving patterns and to cultivate awareness around them, says former Wall Street broker turned yoga teacher and financial coach Claire Kinsella.

To change your money habits for the better, you don't need to try to force yourself to stick to a spartan budget, says Kinsella. Instead, start by identifying your most important values and understand how money serves them. "You'll be pulled in the right direction by the power of your values," she says. "Wherever we place our consciousness, change takes place."

Engagement focus helps employers through tough times

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Reference: HR Daily 29 April 2013 7:28am

Organisations that reduce their spend on engagement initiatives are also more likely to see falls in productivity and profits, according to a new report.

The annual Employee Engagement Capabilities study, by RedBalloon and AltusQ, broadened its scope this year to ask the 1500 companies involved specific questions about the economic climate's impact on their engagement strategies.

Spend on engagement activities has dropped since last year, the report shows.

"The vast majority of organisations with less than 80 per cent engagement have slashed their training and development, coaching, incentive and reward budgets," it says.

Key differences between highly-engaged and other organisations include that the former are more likely than the rest to:

operate a buddy program (33% v 17%);

use cash bonuses (69% v 39%); and

invest in a coaching program (44% v 29%).

DOWNWARD FACING DOG  (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna)
adho = downward
mukha = face
svana = dog

Step by Step

Come onto the floor on your hands and knees. Set your knees directly below your hips and your hands slightly forward of your shoulders. Spread your palms, index fingers parallel or slightly turned out, and turn your toes under.