Yoga at Work Student Feature

Meet Oscar. Oscar is a US Education Scholarship Grant Officer at The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has had a weekly lunchtime yoga class for over a year through our Yoga at Work program.

Yoga Yoga: What do you like about having yoga at work?

Oscar: I love being able to practice at work. This really helps me integrate yoga into all aspects of my life, as opposed to feeling like Yoga is something extra to do. Plus, it’s just great to be able to take that hour doing the work day to focus on myself and block out all of the hustle and bustle of work.

Yoga Yoga: What benefits do you receive by doing yoga?

Oscar: Yoga provides me a wonderful filter from which to experience life and its various relationships. Yoga helps me achieve a certain clarity and connection between my mental and physical self. I am better able to concentrate on tasks and have a more calm and thoughtful approach to dealing with challenges. I have also seen my overall fitness and strength improve through my practice.

Yoga Yoga: What are your other hobbies, interests?

Oscar: When not at work or taking care of family responsibilities, you can find me on any of the numerous mountain bike trails in and around Austin. Mountain biking is a very important part of my life that allows me the opportunity to get on the trail and away from all of the chaos of the city. The beauty of Austin is that many of our great riding trails are so accessible. I’m very fortunate to also have trails in my neighborhood where I can escape for a quick ride.

Yoga Yoga: Favorite book, CD, or vacation spot?

Oscar: It’s hard to pick a favorite of anything since I have very eclectic tastes and love to experience as much diversity as possible. This is true in the books I read the music I listen to and where I like to vacation. Currently, I’m reading How to Meditate by Lawrence LeShan. I have been trying to build my meditation practice and I find this book a great resource on the various disciplines of meditation that doesn’t promote one over the other. In terms of music, I have over 1,000 songs on my MP3 player ranging all over the place from classic country to hip hop. Definitely check out the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack if you haven’t. I really dig artists like Manu Chao and Gogol Bordello.