Teaching Yoga & Meditation at Nike World Headquarters

In 2022, I taught weekly yoga and meditation classes at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, working with Nike employees—referred to internally as athletes—across campus.

I taught four early-morning classes per week, offering movement and recovery practices designed to support focus, performance, and physical resilience within one of the most performance-driven cultures in the world.

Employees as Athletes

At Nike, language matters. Employees are referred to as athletes not as a branding choice, but as a reflection of how the company approaches performance, movement, and personal responsibility.

Nike endorsed athletes were frequently on campus for promotional events and activations, reinforcing the idea that sport and performance are embedded into daily work life—not separate from it. Each building on campus is named after a Nike athlete, a constant reminder of the company’s connection to sport and excellence.

A Campus Built for Movement

Nike World Headquarters is designed around movement. The campus includes multiple fully equipped gyms, allowing employees to train, recover, and move throughout the day.

Employees were encouraged to work out whenever they needed to—before meetings, between sessions, or after work. Yoga and meditation were treated as essential tools for clarity, recovery, and sustained performance rather than optional wellness perks.

Purpose-Driven Classes

The weekly schedule included a range of modalities, each offered with clear intention:

• Restorative Yoga to support recovery and nervous system regulation

• Vinyasa Flow to build mobility and heat

• Power Yoga for strength, stamina, and focus

• Meditation to support grounding and mental clarity

All classes were held early in the morning, setting the tone for the day ahead. The consistency of the schedule allowed athletes to integrate these practices into their routines rather than treating them as occasional experiences.

Special Events & Standout Moments

In addition to weekly classes, I also taught special event yoga sessions for individual departments.

One standout experience was leading a special event class on the rooftop of the Nolan Ryan building, a setting that reflected the intersection of sport, legacy, and intentional movement.

I also taught sessions for the Air Jordan team, which was flown in from around the world. While each group had its own internal dynamics, the focus remained consistent: recovery, clarity, and presence under pressure.

Feedback That Matters

Over the course of this engagement, multiple employees shared that I was the best yoga instructor they had worked with. Feedback like this matters not because of praise, but because it reflects resonance in an environment where expectations are high and standards are clear.

Nike values performance. Being trusted to lead recurring sessions within that culture was something I took seriously.

A Natural Pause

In August 2022, I became pregnant with my son, Henry. Pregnancy-related illness ultimately required me to step away from teaching earlier than planned. Even so, the experience reinforced something I believe deeply: when people are given time, space, and permission to ground themselves, the impact extends far beyond the mat.

Why This Work Matters

Teaching at Nike affirmed what I’ve seen across professional sports and high-performing organizations alike: recovery and performance are inseparable. When movement, recovery, and mental clarity are integrated into daily culture—not treated as add-ons—people show up better, think more clearly, and perform more sustainably.