On Tuesday 12th December, Shocklogic hosted a Mindfulness Workshop, inviting MESA members and industry colleagues to join a transformative session led by Shocklogic’s CEO & Founder, John Martinez. This unique workshop aimed to explore the profound benefits of mindfulness and breathing exercises.

Breathing In, Stress Out: A Journey into Mindfulness

The workshop began with a thought-provoking conversation with Martijn Timmermans, an Industry Consultant, who shared insights into Vipassana Meditation. Having completed a 10-day Vipassana meditation course in Belgium, Martijn’s experiences opened a gateway to mindfulness that left attendees with intriguing questions about this super interesting retreat. Participants discovered that during Vipassana meditation, you are stripped of familiar comforts like phones, books, notebooks, and even pens, revealing the simplicity and intensity of the practice.

John Martinez then shared his personal meditation journey, revealing that his path to mindfulness emerged from a challenging point in his life over a decade ago. Introduced to movement meditation by his partner at the time, he found himself hooked. Now, John attends a 10-day meditation retreat twice a year, describing it as an experience he yearns for.

Tech meets Wellness: Shocklogic’s Culture of Wellbeing

Blending his passion for technology with a commitment to wellness, John has instilled a company-wide culture at Shocklogic that places a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing. He regularly spreads the word about the importance of wellness through speaker engagements and other initiatives. One noteworthy practice he introduced is giving the Shocklogic team “10 minutes to do absolutely nothing” – an opportunity to focus solely on their breathing and reset amidst the demands of the day.

Breathing Exercises: Bringing Mindfulness into the Everyday

During the workshop, John led the group in a breathing exercise, a practice he learned through attending mindfulness and silence retreats around the world. As he guided the team through this exercise, he shared how meditation has enabled him to tap into his compassion, make better decisions, and be kinder to himself and those around him.

Mindfulness Beyond the Workshop: A Call to Action

As the session concluded, John encouraged participants to bring mindfulness into their everyday lives. Starting with just 3 minutes each day, he encouraged them to gradually increase the duration, emphasising that consistency is key. Practical advice included using apps or YouTube videos to guide the practice, making mindfulness accessible for anyone eager to embark on their journey to a calmer and more focused self.