As a residential real estate agent, you’re constantly fielding questions from friends, family, and past clients—some about buying a home, some about selling... and occasionally, one that feels just a little outside your wheelhouse.

“Hey, do you know anyone who can help me lease a space for my boutique?”
“We’re thinking of buying a building for our business—can you help?”
“My cousin wants to invest in a few units downtown. Is that something you do?”

We get it. Commercial can be confusing. If you’ve ever had that moment of hesitation when recognizing a commercial real estate opportunity, this post is for you. Here’s a quick guide to help you recognize when to refer a commercial real estate lead, and when it’s time to loop in a Nevada commercial real estate referral partner.

Mindful Breathing: Finding Calm, Staying Present

Mindful breathing is a practice that involves focusing one’s attention on the breath. In yoga, the breath anchors you to the present. In negotiations, a conscious breath-stop can anchor your thoughts and prevent reactive responses. Research shows mindfulness helps negotiators regulate stress and even enhance listening skills.

Mindful Breathing Pro Tip

Pause for a deep, deliberate breath when discussions get tense. It helps you stay centered and choose your words intentionally.

Emotional Awareness: Observing Without Reacting

A key tenet of yoga is noticing thoughts and emotions without letting them control you.

Experts have suggested that mindfulness and emotional intelligence are synergistic, meaning they work together and empower each other. Having emotional awareness in business can help by enabling negotiators to recognize triggers and pause before reacting .

Emotional Awareness Pro Tip

Notice feelings like frustration or impatience rising. A simple, “Let me think this through,” gives you space to respond strategically rather than emotionally.

Active Listening: Being Fully Present

Yoga sharpens your focus on the moment, and so does effective negotiation. Active listening—truly hearing the other side—is an essential skill for both yoga and business. Active listening means actively processing and working to understand what another person says. In life and in business, mindfulness techniques foster empathy and attentiveness, improving rapport and problem-solving .

Active Listening Pro Tip

Repeat or paraphrase back what you’ve heard—“So you’re saying…”—to ensure understanding and build mutual respect.

Patience and Non-Attachment: Letting the Process Unfold

In yoga, you hold a pose without forcing it. This requires patience and is reinforced by the principle of non-attachment: putting forth effort without attachment to results. It might seem counterintuitive, but realistically, is there ever a guarantee that things will turn out as you predict or want them to? Negotiations are similar—you often need to let things unfold naturally. Impatient hurrying can sabotage deals.

Patience and Non-Attachment Pro Tip

If talks stall, suggest a brief pause or follow-up meeting. It shows confidence and allows all parties to reset. Don’t be discouraged if a deal falls through. Learn the lesson and move on.

Flexibility: Adapting When Situations Shift

We all know yoga is great for physical flexibility, but did you know it improves mental flexibility too? Indeed, studies have shown that yoga practice is associated with improved cognition, mood, and resilience. These traits are undoubtedly valuable in business; adaptive thinking and openness to new information can be the difference between a good and great deal.

Flexibility Pro Tip

Bring “alternatives on hand”—whether creative contract terms, closing timelines, or minor repairs—to pivot when conversations shift.

Yoga Skills Can Improve Your Business

Combining yoga and business isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a strategy. Mindful breathing, emotional self-awareness, active listening, patience, and adaptability guide us from tension to understanding, from offers to win-win. Mindfulness in business can help you improve your client relationships and your life! Whether you're buying, selling, or looking for a partner in commercial real estate, working with us means every deal is approached with the calm confidence of the mat—and the savvy of the boardroom

Want to bring more ease and clarity to your next real estate deal?

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a commercial property, or negotiating a complex lease, we approach every transaction with mindfulness, strategy, and care. Let’s connect and help you move through your next deal with calm confidence.

What Yoga Taught Us About Real Estate Negotiations