If you click on the Om symbol on the third carousel panel on my website, IAMTBOT.com, the statement "Yoga practice: positive, calm, focused, and flexible" appears. I chose to represent this side of me in my professional profile because I think it tells a lot about me, even from a professional standpoint. Before I decided to pursue IT, I conducted a few informal informational interviews with people I knew working in the industry. I asked questions like, "what qualities do successful software developers have?" or "what quality do you think is most important for success in IT?". The general consensus confirmed the attitude of perseverance as a top quality. Perseverance is defined as persistence in the face of challenges, or endurance despite difficulty or delay in success. Thus, software development is a lot like yoga because both require perseverance. The #1 point from this article "8 Things No One Tells You About Doing Yoga" talks about how people call yoga a practice. Why? because it takes practice! Much like learning to program. To me, practicing and perseverance in anything reflects dedication and a desire to do better, to try new things, and develop skills. Sometimes practice is boring, difficult, or frustrating and a test of patience and commitment, but in the end, it pays off. A book I read called "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell discussed some the commonalities among people who have experienced great success. According to the book, those who become experts/elite in any field, put in 10 000 hours of practice or more to get there. Practice provides the opportunity to work on problems and discover creative solutions. So I like to think that my yoga practice parallels my technical practice. With perseverance I can continue to learn and develop my skills. Not only that, but I can also work towards better mental clarity - the kind that comes with patience and experience.
Another reason I chose to include my International Yoga Day experience in my tech blog is because I think it can help! As a Software Developer, I have first hand experience dealing with uncomfortable posture related issues as the result of long hours spent on the computer and/or improper ergonomics. Luckily, I also have a degree in Kinesiology, so I understand the problem from an anatomical perspective (I even did a presentation to my IT class mates in a Communications class about "Computer Neck" and how to manage/prevent/fix it). The solution is exercise and proper ergonomics (click here for some exercise examples). So, what better activity to do than yoga, which has a strong focus on posture? ( Pilates is pretty good too).
I also want to spread the message that you CAN be active AND a computer nerd (despite what some people think. I have plenty of stories about people doubting my intelligence because I workout, which makes no sense in the face of scientific evidence that suggests otherwise). I like to believe that most IT people are smart people (IT requires constant learning and adaptation). Smart people take time to educate themselves in order to grow (in their careers, relationships, hobbies, and life). Tonnes of evidence suggests that active employees are more productive, happier, and take less sick days (healthier). In addition, exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety, brings nutrients to the brain, and promotes energy, vitality, and confidence. Yoga improves/maintains your flexibility (ROM, range of motion) into your old age, strengthens your muscles, and has the added benefit of meditation, which clears your mind and helps you focus. Therefore, I think, it's in any IT person's best interest to consider becoming more active. Don't fall into a trap of creating self limiting rules, or giving into fears, because of a stereotype (jump in as if you're learning a new programming language!). I'm here to tell you that you can be active, play sports, and have 3.9 GPA in your Information Technology studies. Speaking of stereotypes, here's a funny meme that I hope inspires you to step outside your invisible boundaries and enjoy the complexity of life:
The international tech community participated in International Yoga Day too! Tech Mahindra, an Indian Information Technology company, launched idayofyoga.org, in order to connect the international community and provide yoga resources. For more information read this article: Tech Mahindra Supports International Yoga Day.
At this time in history, with the increased precision of technology, globalization, and increasing awareness of social/health issues and alternative therapies, scientists have started to study some very interesting ideas like "Corporate Yoga" and how exercise helps with almost everything. I have comprised the following small list of links to various studies/resources exploring some ideas (if you're not going to read any of this, then at least watch this YouTube video):
Effect of Yoga on Muskuloskeletal Discomfort and Motor Functions in Professional Computer Users
Impact of Adoption of Yoga Way of Life on the Emotional Intelligence of Managers
Implications of Corporate Yoga
Exercise and Children's Intelligence, Cognition, and Academic Achievement
Comparison of Adult Exercisers and Non-Exercisers on Fluid Intelligence and Selected Physiological Barriers
Cardiovascular Fitness is associated with Cognition in Young Adulthood
Effect of Yoga on Self-Rated Visual Discomfort in Computer Users
I could probably spend hours on Google Scholar...
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