Google Blog, Tuesday, June 04, 2013
This is the
fourth post in a series profiling Googlers who facilitate classes as part of
our g2g program, in which Googlers teach, share and learn from each other.
Regardless of role, level or location, g2g's community-based approach makes it
possible for all Googlers to take advantage of a variety of learning
opportunities. - Ed.
Eight years
ago, I loaded five boxes into my pickup truck, said goodbye to a career of
crunching numbers in hotel management, and started my own massage practice in
Washington state.
Soon
thereafter, I started at Google as an onsite massage therapist at the Kirkland
and Seattle offices, and I was ready for the challenge. But after a few years
of massage work, I started to ponder alternatives to massage to further help my
fellow Googlers relax and de-stress. Being able to take a moment out of one’s
day to relax and decompress is not only beneficial for one’s health, but also
may help people be happier and more productive in their day to day lives. So in
2011, I helped launch “MindBody Awareness,” a guided meditation class, as part
of the Googler-to-Googler (g2g) program.
It’s no
secret that meditation can be an excellent way to relax your body and focus the
mind. A plethora of studies have supported that point. That said, one of the
hardest parts of meditation is simply giving it a try. For an activity based in
calmness and openness, it’s ironic how meditation can, for some, engender
feelings of intimidation and even embarrassment at the outset. So we
specifically designed “MindBody Awareness” for all levels so anyone can walk
through the door and dive right in. Having a friendly, informal meditation
class taught onsite by a fellow Googler allows for community building, and immediately
relaxes participants whether they’re new to the practice or veterans.
 |
| Leading a MindBody Awareness class at our Kirkland, Wash. office |
We begin
each 30-minute class by going through a Qigong series that consists of 12
different positions held for 30 seconds each. This is how we begin bringing
awareness of one’s body and mind into play, shedding the distractions from the
outside and becoming more in tune with one’s self. The second portion of the
class is a seated meditation, which incorporates changing hand positions, where
chimes go off every minute to signal a change in pose. This integrates the mind
and the body instead of just one or the other. The chimes help the mind stay
focused, and acts as an anchor helping people return to a quiet mind if they
happen to get lost in distraction. An engineer who takes my class told me
“being aware of what my physical body needs while my brain is busy coding has
helped me significantly reduce stress, not get so worn out, and enjoy my job.”
Another Googler noted to me that he feels “having a regular chance to slow
down, collect [himself] and connect mind and body contributes to a more
mindful, lower stress outlook throughout the week.”
 |
| Taking a few minutes a day to sync your mind and body can help you relax and stay focused throughout the work day |
Through
g2g, we’ve made MindBody Awareness and other meditation classes available in 16
different cities, providing an alternative method of stress relief for Googlers
around the world. To make it even easier for Googlers to access meditation
classes, we offer global meditative Google Hangouts. Googlers can video
conference into a meditation hangout for 30 or 60 minutes to practice
meditation as a group.
Meditation
class offered through the g2g program has also fostered a unique way to build a
sense of community. The class has brought Googlers from varying departments
together to meet new people by taking a break for 30 minutes to re-charge. The
ultimate goal of the class is that Googlers get positive energy flowing that
they can bring back to their desks—or anywhere for that matter!
Tips and
tricks to help you de-stress
- Focus on your breath. Take a few moments to allow your mind and body to relax even if it's just for one or two long deep breaths—make sure you can physically see your belly and chest rise. Taking just one minute a day can make a significant difference.
- Think of your favorite things. Positive thoughts can give a way to a more positive attitude and outlook.
- Try to focus on one thing. See if you can sit back and tackle your tasks one piece at a time, as if you were working on a puzzle piece by piece. Eventually, it will come together in a systematic way!
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