With the increasing costs of insurance premiums and workers’ compensation claims, what contractor doesn’t want to save money? While OSHA mandates and a culture of safety on the worksite certainly help reduce the number of accidents that occur, yoga can be a way for workers to strengthen their bodies, reduce stress and improve balance.

This week, the Wall Street Journal profiled Allan Nett, a former contractor turned yogi, who leads “Yoga with Your Boots On” classes designed for construction workers and those for who a hard hat is part of the daily uniform, throughout the San Francisco Bay area. Nett adapts and renames standard yoga positions to his blue collar clientele. Unfortunately, the declining construction market has created a reduction in demand for his services.

Yoga is an established practice often associated with hippies, yuppies, spiritual gurus and women. However, the benefits of yoga cross all class, gender and lifestyle boundaries. Ever slipped a disc on the job? Yoga can strengthen your core and back, possibly preventing the injury from occurring again. Have sciatica or arthritis? Yoga can help that, too. Want to improve your balance? One word—Yoga.

Workplace accidents can result in minor and major injuries and even death. While falls and associated accidents comprise a fair amount of workers compensation claims, preventable injuries occur more than they should, costing companies millions. Encouraging workers to practice basic yoga positions may reduce the amount of preventable accidents that occur, thus reducing insurance premiums and the cost of workers compensation claims.

Source: Wall Street Journal