Fitness Belfast x AXA NI: Moving More at Work
At Fitness Belfast, we love helping teams discover how even the smallest movement can have a big impact on how they feel at work. Recently, we had the pleasure of partnering with AXA Northern Ireland for a morning of chair yoga and movement sessions in their stunning new offices at The Ewart on Bedford Street.
The AXA NI team approached us with a clear brief: to highlight the importance of taking time out — at the desk or away from it — to move more during the working day and to create a better work-to-movement balance.
Why Movement Matters in the Workplace
Modern working life often means long hours at desks, in meetings, or on calls. While focus and productivity are essential, so too is balance. Regular movement throughout the day doesn’t just keep our bodies healthy — it also sharpens our minds, boosts mood, and reduces stress.
That’s exactly what we explored together at AXA NI.
Chair Yoga & Movement: Small Shifts, Big Benefits
Chair-based yoga and movement sessions are simple, practical, and designed for all levels. They’re accessible to everyone, whether you’re in an office or working from home, and they offer a range of benefits, including:
🤔 Sharper thinking – improved cognitive function through better work/movement balance
😃 Better posture – reducing back and neck strain from desk work
🤗 Emotional wellbeing – supporting stress relief and positive mood
😴 Improved sleep – helping the body and mind wind down more effectively
These sessions are more than just a break from the desk. They provide each participant with a toolbox of moves they can integrate into their own workday — small techniques that make a real difference. And of course, doing it together in a group brings an added feel-good factor, creating connection as well as wellbeing.
Normalising Wellness at Work
A key theme of the morning with AXA NI was the importance of reducing stigma and normalising workplace wellness. Taking a few minutes to stretch, move, breathe, or walk during the working day isn’t something to feel guilty about — it’s something to be encouraged.
As we often say: taking regular breaks to breathe deeply, stretch, move, and smile will go a long way to helping your mind and body feel awesome at work.
Thank You AXA NI
We’re so grateful to the team at AXA NI for inviting us in and embracing the power of movement. Their commitment to supporting staff wellbeing is inspiring, and we can’t wait to work with them again soon.
👉 Want to bring sessions like this into your workplace? Learn more about our Corporate Wellness programs and discover how Fitness Belfast can help your team feel better, move better, and work better.