Since qualifying as a Sivananda yoga teacher, he has led classes in India, China, Israel, France as well as Switzerland. Lustinger, who has worked in Switzerland for J.P. Morgan, UBS, and Société Générale before joining Credit Suisse, spotted a trend in finance.

«From the first day on, I had the feeling that the work is very demanding and stressful», he told finews.com. Bankers spent the bulk of their long workday hunched in front of their computers, taking little time for other activities. Several months ago, Lustinger decided to bring yoga into his professional world more meaningfully. 

Modest Attendance

Despite advertising in the canteens where Paradeplatz's bankers take their lunch, on Facebook, and other online portals, just two other yogis besides me make it to Guy's Thursday evening class at «Sacred» – both are former colleagues of his from Société Générale.

The small class size is a blessing in disguise for me, as I have never practiced yoga before: Guy has time to devote to each of us for the more complicated asanas, and the breathing exercises to begin and the meditation following practice is more intimate, focused, and relaxed.

 Corporate Health

Does it make sense to offer yoga when banks often have in-house gyms and exercise classes? Lustinger says yes – because yoga is a niche product. «Banks should feel more responsible for the well-being of their employees. They reap the advantages of having healthy staff», he notes.

After my maiden yoga class, I experience soreness in places I didn't even know I had muscles. I resolve to visit «yoga for bankers» regularly – Guy's classes are for anyone who spends hours at their computer every day.