Yoga doesn’t stay on my mat. It walks with me into meeting rooms, conversations, and the everyday moments where humans interact under pressure.

I can go down a deep rabbit hole when it comes to ancient Yogic wisdom. It was my favorite part of my 700+ hours of formal yoga teacher training, along with countless hours spent reading and studying on my own time. But how does that relate to the world of Human Resources?

For me, the correlation is direct. If I’m going to interact with other humans in any capacity, I need these skills. I use my yoga and meditation practices every single day in my HR career — the work I do when I’m not teaching yoga. Working inside complex organizations has taught me what pressure looks like up close — deadlines, policies, personalities, and the emotional weight people carry into work every day.

Today, I want to touch on Ahimsa, which is translated as “non-violence” or “non-harming.” Ahimsa is part of the first Yama in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a text believed to be thousands of years old. It’s one of the ethical guidelines within the Yoga Sutras, often spoken about collectively as the Yamas and Niyamas — think of them as the do’s and don’ts of living life, or simply, treating others the way you’d want to be treated.

Of course, we should avoid intentionally harming others physically. Verbal harm or harassment is inappropriate in any setting, but especially in the workplace. Imagine this scenario: an employee makes a mistake, and their manager responds with, “What an idiot!” — or worse — in front of coworkers. Now that employee feels defeated. Or perhaps harmful gossip is being spread about a coworker, and they catch wind of it. Suddenly their mind is everywhere except on the job at hand. Productivity drops. Stress increases. Maybe even an injury occurs.

These seemingly “small” moments create ripple effects that can bleed into an entire team. And BAM — there goes morale. Sometimes, someone even quits.

I’m part of these conversations daily — often before they escalate into something bigger. This is where my C.A.L.M.™ Method comes into play.

First, I connect. For me, that means sensing what’s present — are they nervous, angry, scared, disengaged, dysregulated?

Then, I allow. I allow them to be exactly where they are. I allow them to vent, cry, ask questions… or sit quietly.

Next, I listen. I lean in and really listen. I don’t answer the phone. I don’t allow distractions. I listen until they feel seen and heard.

Finally, we move. In this setting, movement often means speaking. Typically, it’s wisdom that feels channeled — I recognize it because I ask for it daily: “Please give me the words I’ll need today.” Those words are woven with company policy, kindness, compassion, and sometimes humor. I always try to make someone smile before they leave my space.

So yes, bringing yoga into HR is a real thing — at least for me. Asana is only a small part of what living a yogic life truly is. Yoga happens off the mat, in real conversations, under real pressure, with real consequences.

Do I get it right all the time? Of course not. I consider myself a lifelong student, and getting it wrong comes with the territory. But what I’ve learned — in yoga and in Human Resources — is that how we respond in moments of stress matters.

We can all use a little more Ahimsa. In the workplace. At home. And within ourselves.

This is how I practice yoga in the world. One conversation at a time.

This is the foundation of my work with individuals and organizations seeking calmer, more conscious ways of working and living.

— Regina Bileca, RYT-500, Reiki Master Teacher

**The picture is of me studying yoga, my favorite pastime!