Yogist endorsed by Nokia's occupational health physician: her opinion
During a webinar focused on Yogist’s five innovations for promoting well-being in the workplace, Anne-Charlotte Vuccino, founder of Yogist, interviewed Agnès Hanlet, an occupational physician at Nokia. Here is her account.
In what ways did you find Yogist useful and well-suited for Nokia?
Response from Agnès Hanlet:
The end of the COVID-related lockdown gave way to widespread remote work, which was a relatively new practice at our company. At the time, employees were complaining of various aches and pains, so we had to find a way to get them moving.
So I started looking for a way to make that happen, and that’s how I heard about Yogist. You introduced me to Yogist during a meeting, and then I, in turn, presented it to the decision-makers at my company. I wanted everyone to be fully on board with the approach.
We then introduced Yogist sessions, which are still going strong two and a half years later. The sessions are held once a month and are always well attended. The employees are happy—I’ve honestly received nothing but positive feedback.
Nokia is currently undergoing a workplace health and safety audit: how does Yogist help you stay compliant when it comes to musculoskeletal disorders?
Response from Agnès Hanlet:
During the audit, we must present the measures we are implementing for employees, particularly to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, but also to prevent occupational stress.
(MSDs = Musculoskeletal Disorders, OSH = Occupational Safety and Health, Ed.)
So I mentioned Yogist at that meeting, and I just got the feedback: they commended us for implementing these initiatives for our employees, whether they’re working on-site or remotely.
“I really like breathing exercises; they help you relax, unwind, and take your mind off things. Employees are able to refocus on themselves, and it does them good.”
Agnès Hanlet, Occupational Physician for Nokia
You’ve been offering mobile and digital sessions for the past two and a half years. At the time, you were looking for something that was suitable for work and, at the same time, beneficial for both the body and the mind. How did Yogist meet your needs?
Response from Agnès Hanlet:
Yogist sessions give employees a chance to unwind a bit and catch their breath. Because let’s face it, they’re not breathing properly behind their screens—it feels like they’re constantly holding their breath… I really like the breathing exercises; they help you relax, disconnect, and take your mind off things. Employees get to refocus on themselves, and it does them good.
I rely heavily on exercises for the neck, eyes, and lower back: these are the three most challenging areas. I completed the Yogist training so I could conduct consultations via video call. This way, I can see their home workspace, and we discuss together where the pain is located, which is often in the neck. I take this opportunity to guide them to Yogist so they can do the exercises on their own as soon as they start to feel tension or fatigue building up. We also do the prescribed exercise during the consultation.
What distinction do you make between curative and preventive approaches in this method?
Response from Agnès Hanlet:
For me, the two go hand in hand. Doing Yogist exercises regularly is beneficial, but so is doing them as soon as you feel the first signs of stiffness, like late in the morning. I don’t really see a difference between treatment and prevention, because they’re part of the same process. It’s always helpful to have immediate relief as soon as you feel something’s not quite right. If they can think of a Yogist exercise at that moment, they can get back to work after a short, restorative Yogist break. It’s true—it works; I see it every day.
