Drawing of people doing yoga in the workplace

Masterclass series “The skills bridge” - Episode 10

Developing social emotional skills: The power of yoga

Imagine a workplace where staff lack social-emotional skills such as conflict resolution, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. The consequences are strained relationships, lower morale, decreased productivity, and workplace tensions. Beyond the workplace, people face similar challenges in their lives. The International Labour Organisation's Global Framework for Core Skills for Work and Life recognizes the importance of these skills. Yet, their absence is too common due to ingrained behaviours, limited self-awareness, or ineffective training opportunities.

Yoga and meditation, ancient practices known for their numerous benefits, are not just about individual well-being. They play a crucial role in fostering emotional well-being, reducing stress, and promoting a balanced approach to life. But their benefits extend beyond the individual. These practices also enhance empathy, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose, contributing to collective well-being. Recognizing their importance, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga and 21 December as World Meditation Day.

This Master Class, organized in partnership with the World Bank and UNESCO, offers a practical exploration of how people can harness yoga and meditation to develop essential social-emotional skills, ultimately enhancing happiness and growth. It aligns with UNESCO and the World Bank priorities as also expressed in the Joint Better TVET report and ILO’s Mental Health and Well-Being Action Plan.

Objectives

Explore how yoga and meditation help in:

resolving conflicts and stress
fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, collaboration, decision-making in high-stress situations and navigating difficult conversations
Understanding simple yoga techniques to develop social-emotional skills for personal and professional growth and improve organizational effectiveness.

Speakers

Arindam Bagchi

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Mia Seppo

Assistant Director General, jobs and social protection, ILO
Raj Yogi Yogesh Sharda

Senior Yoga and Personal Development Expert, Brahma Kumaris, Turkey
Saurabh Jain

Yoga expert
Ashwani Aggarwal

Work Group Leader, Skills and Lifelong Learning Policy and Digitalization, ILO