Yoga and the Art of Project Management

A funny thing happened in our Yoga class today. After an intense hour of maneuvering through Tadasana, Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana (all Yoga postures/asanas) and what have you, it was time for all to do the Shavasana. For the uninitiated, Shavasan is the pause mode in Yoga before you finally wind up your session. It is lying down on your back with eyes closed and focusing on slow and gentle breathing. Though it seems to be the easiest, I must tell you; it is the most difficult of all poses.

It is resting the body for five to ten (or more) minutes in a corpse like pose. However, for some newbies (sometimes even regulars) what typically happens is exactly the opposite. Though their body is in rested state, it is the mind that keeps wandering from one thought to another. While for other beginners it is something else. Like it happened today morning.

Initially, it was a faint sound of a deep breath, and then slowly and gradually it grew into a loud sonorous sound. It was a reverberation of someone snoring just a few meters away. An elderly gentleman instead of counting his breath had moved to counting sheep that too quite effortlessly. A sense of déjà vu along with a faint smile crept upon me as I lay there motionless on the floor with my eyes closed. And in that exact moment, as contrary, as it may sound, I had an eye-opening moment. I could not help but think of the many uncanny similarities between Yoga and Project Management. The two topics are completely divergent but yet so similar.

So, before my willowy thoughts could have me in twists just like in Yoga, I have decided to pour them out here in a blog post.

For a yoga enthusiast who works for a non-profit organization for the advocacy of project management profession, here are the ten reasons why I think both these two seemingly unrelated disciplines are quite alike.

1. Both exist since time immemorial
Yoga’s origin is rooted in India, and it has existed since thousands of years ago. We all know that! Modern project management may have been born in the western world and that too in the past century but project management as a discipline has been present since the existence of Mohenjo-Daro (one of the world's earliest major cities), Great Pyramids of Giza and Great Wall of China. 

Mohenjo-Daro civilzation

The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Great Wall of China

2. Global and Agnostic in nature
Though Yoga originated in India, it is not Hindu in nature. Likewise, modern project management is not a western world concept. Both are globally accepted, used and practiced. While one is religion agnostic, the other is industry agnostic. There will be different methodologies and new variations, but the principles remain same.

3. While Yoga is the union of Body, Mind, and Soul, Project Management is bringing together technical skills, leadership, and business management skills
It is a misconception that Yoga is only about getting into pretzel knots, doing head stands or mind-boggling postures. It is actually about achieving balance in physical, mental and spiritual health. Yoga does not end when you get off the yoga mat and step out of the class. It is a holistic journey. Besides our postures, it is about watching our breath; it is about meditation, control over our thoughts and focusing on total well-being.
The same way Project management is not just about technical skills and knowing how to use tools and templates. It is also important to have leadership skills and business intelligence. In today’s increasingly complex and competitive global marketplace it is imperative for a project manager to have a business bent of mind to get the bigger picture and understand how each project fits into the entire strategic journey of his/her organization. In project management parlance it is called as the ideal skill set or the Talent Triangle.

                       

4. Mastery over both needs practice and discipline
Both should regularly be practiced and with a disciplined approach to have mastery over them. It is not something which can be done one day and forgotten the next day. If I miss a few yoga classes, my yoga teacher does not teach me new asanas until I revisit and practice what was already taught in previous classes. I have to start from scratch, get the foundation postures right and then only move ahead to the new posture. So is the case with project management, one must keep abreast of the new techniques, practices, and methodologies especially in this fast-changing dynamic world while at the same time being in touch with the discipline on a day to day basis.

5. Processes, Rules and Structure

Both have an entire body of knowledge dedicated to them. There are step by step procedures; there are certain rules on why, when, where, and how to follow them. So also there is a framework for Yoga as well as Project Management which tells you the WHAT aspect of both disciplines.

6. Principles of Yoga and Knowledge Areas of Project Management

Just as Yoga has ten principles, project management has ten principles which are critical to understand.

Ten Yoga Principles	Ten Project Management Principles
Non-violence	Projects are unique and a temporary endeavor meant to achieve an objective
Truthfulness	Code of Ethics
Righteousness	Project Charter to decide what will comprise in that project
Wisdom	Consider technical as well as soft skills while forming project team
Simplicity	Risks and complexity in projects will always be there. Have a backup plan.
Worship of the spiritual goal	Cost, Time and Quality are co-dependent
Sacrifice the ego	Cannot underestimate the importance of managing stakeholders
Self-discipline	Follow processes
Reading	Keep abreast of latest technology, trends and techniques
Contentment	Celebrate success or achievement of important milestones

7. In both, we can use tools to facilitate the whole exercise but success eventually depends on the practitioner

In Yoga, you are provided tools to facilitate a difficult stretch or to get the correct posture especially if you are a beginner. So also in project management, there are tools and templates to assist a project manager in planning or executing his/her project. All said and done; it is up to each practitioner how well they make use of the available tools to achieve their goal.

8. It is a slow and steady journey

In Yoga and Project Management one can’t expect instant results. It is unlike an allopathy medicine or a pill which can provide a quick cure or remedy. It is a gradual process and for its effects to show it takes time. It could be weeks and sometimes many months, but the effects are far-reaching. 

9. Stable and yet flexible and agile.

Both disciplines teach its practitioners how to be stable when required and at the same time prepare them for any change. 
In Yoga, there are certain situations which require you to be steady and relaxed, viz. meditation process and then there are other areas where one is expected to be agile and flexible.
In the current VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world, it is essential that project managers understand the importance of being flexible, agile and adaptable. These are the characteristics which we should nurture within us if we have to progress in these ever-changing times.

10. Shavaasan and Closing Process

Shavasana is considered trivial by the uninformed yoga practitioners and hence not seriously practiced at the end of a yoga session. Many tend to skip out early as they have not understood the full benefits of this asana. The objective is to relax the body and mind so that you may fully assimilate the benefits of your asana practice. Likewise, same is the case with the Closing Process in project management. It is not considered as important as other processes in project management. Shavasana and Closing Stage – both which are meant to be a culmination of the venture as a whole, provide the same benefits.

The first benefit being observation. Yoga and Project Management both help you to reflect, introspect and observe all that has happened, how it has affected us and helped gain a better perspective. Both are excellent stages for honest observation. The second benefit being clarity. It helps us to rationalize our thoughts, feel lighter, be more focused and get ready for what lays ahead. For e.g. in project management, one creates a ‘’Lessons learned’’ document in the closing process stage. This paper is highly essential before moving on to the next project. It is created so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes of the past and document the project learnings for consumption of others.


Last but not the least, according to me, yoga and project management are life skills and their benefits are extensive and far-reaching which can be reaped for generations together. And more so, if they are taught when young, they can be of immense help to the young students. While Yoga contributes to instilling a sense of discipline in an individual and helps channelize spiritual growth, project management benefits can be reaped not just by a person or society or organization but even by the nation as a whole.
I sincerely urge schools and colleges to look at these two knowledge areas and disciplines as a must-have for students as well as teachers.
Likewise, I sincerely urge the state and central government to regularize and institutionalize Yoga and Project Management discipline in school/colleges and industry respectively.
In fact, as a nation, if there are concerted efforts to institutionalize these two disciplines and we invest in training, skilling, and certification, we have the potential to become the richest in human resources and even the biggest exporter of yoga/project management talent to countries around the world.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author completely and do not necessarily reflect the position or thoughts of the organization the author is employed with.