Pause. Breathe. Reflect. My Takeaways from a 3-Day Mindfulness Course
Spoiler alert #1: I came back after a 3 days Mindfulness training in Marsanne (in the south of France) with a calmer mind, a deeper breath, and a few tools that might just change how I live and work, so wanted to share with you the experience.
Hook: What Happens When a Curious Tester Tries Mindfulness?
So… imagine this: a software tester, always buzzing with ideas, questions, and Slack notifications, suddenly finds herself in the middle of nature, barefoot on a mat, breathing in silence at 7:00 AM. That was me. And no, it wasn’t a bug in the matrix—it was a 3-day mindfulness training in Marsanne, offered by my company Sogeti.
Pictures in this blog were taking during the observation tour that we did with the group outdoors.
I joined with curiosity (as always), a bit of skepticism (because, well, I’m a tester), and a big question in mind:
Can mindfulness really help us in the tech world? Spoiler alert #2: Yes. And not just help, it can transform.
Mornings with Qi Gong: Movement Meets Stillness
Each day started with Qi Gong at sunrise. Think of it as yoga’s chill cousin from China : slow, flowing movements, deep breathing, and a surprising amount of inner peace. It was like debugging my nervous system before the day even began.
Mindfulness: More Than Just a Buzzword
We explored mindfulness through the lens of Jon Kabat-Zinn:
“Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”
Sounds simple, right? But try doing it for more than 30 seconds without checking your phone. 
What I Learned and appreciated the most
Here are the gems I’m bringing back with me:
STOP
A mini life-hack:
Stop. Take a breath. Observe. Proceed.
Perfect for those “I’m about to send a spicy email” moments.
RAIN
A beautiful way to meet emotions with kindness:
Recognize. Allow. Investigate. Nurture.
It’s like emotional debugging.
Meta-Attention
The attention of attention. Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, it’s powerful.
Walking Meditation
Each step became a return to the now. No podcast. No destination. Just presence.
Conscious Listening & Writing
Being fully there : in silence, in words, in connection. It’s rare. And it’s gold.
Beginner’s Mind
Letting go of “I know this already” and seeing things with fresh eyes. Like a tester discovering a new bug in a “stable” release. 
Practicing in Nature: The Best Wi-Fi Is Still Offline
Some sessions were outdoors, surrounded by trees and birds. Others were indoors in a peaceful space. Either way, the silence was loud in the best way. It reminded me that presence doesn’t need a power source.
Emotional Intelligence: The Real Superpower
We dove into the five pillars of emotional intelligence:
- Self-awareness – Know thyself (and thy triggers).
- Self-regulation – Pause before the storm.
- Motivation – Act from values, not just deadlines.
- Empathy – Feel with, not just for.
- Social skills – Communicate with clarity and care.
Honestly? These are the skills I wish we taught in every onboarding.
People Make the Practice
Huge shoutout to my fellow participants: Cyril, Yan, Denis, Jacques, Victoria, Iltaf, Edmond, Christine—you made this journey richer, deeper, and way more fun.
And to Patrick Borne, our coach thank you for your wisdom, your calm, and your ability to hold space for all of us.
Final Reflection: This Wasn’t Just a Training
we got a certification after the training and this was actually a very different kind of training,
It was a reset.
For my mind.
For my breath.
For my inner rhythm.
In a world that moves fast, mindfulness helps us slow down just enough to hear what really matters.
So I’ll leave you with this question (from Mary Oliver):
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Qi Gong videos of what we practiced at 7:00 AM.
Le tigre et le dragon se rejoignent
L’hirondelle pourpre vole haut dans le ciel
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