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Ways to practice moments of mindfulness during your Seattle meeting, just a few minutes from Washington State Convention Center.
Sometimes professional meetings can be hectic and, for productivity and creativity’s sake, we need a moment away. Luckily, Seattle has some stellar spots for quiet contemplation, bolstered by gorgeous views, gardens, parks and the waterfront. What’s more, many of these mindful spaces and activities are within a few minutes’ walk from the Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) making Seattle an ideal place to hold a meeting that also incorporates moments of mindfulness.
The Columbia Tower, Seattle’s tallest building, is just a 14-minute walk from WSCC. It isn’t free to travel to the top, but it’s totally worth it. However, there is a lesser-known and free-to-the-public sky lobby on the 40th floor that offers similarly staggering, panoramic views of Seattle. That’s a good place to connect to your center and ponder life for a while, and there’s also a Starbucks if you’re craving a refreshment.
Additionally, the Harbor Steps, just a 12-minute walk from the convention center, are just the respite they sound like: gorgeous steps that unfurl towards the waterfront, with fountains, cherry trees, art installations, and a view of the Puget Sound. The steps are sandwiched between two apartment buildings by the same name, which adds shade and protection from wind. This is the perfect place to sit on a step with a gratitude journal, meditate, or have a quiet lunch away from the hubbub of a busy conference.
Sometimes we need to get into our bodies to find “mindfulness” in the midst of our professional events. Luckily, there are multiple yoga studios nearby the WSCC. One of these studios is just a 9-minute walk from the Center towards Capitol Hill, 8 Limbs Yoga Center offers flow, yin and hatha style yoga practices as well as classes designed specifically for meditation.
If a Japanese garden seems more like your version of zen, Campion Hall Japanese Tea Garden is just a 20-minute walk away from the convention center on the Seattle University Campus. The garden, created by Fujitaro Kubota, is lush with delicate Japanese foliage and plenty of seating, which according to the university, creates a space that “evokes the concepts of space, balance, and nature that traditional Japanese gardens possess.” Even closer to the convention center is Freeway Park, an artful park with fountains, grassy areas, and trees. Both parks offer plenty of space to sit or practice some self-directed mindfulness yoga poses.
Lastly, as this HuffPost article explains, listening to music — especially a spontaneous style like jazz — is a great way to get in-the-moment. Seattle has some of the best places to enjoy music, like Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley. In 10 minutes, you can walk from the convention center to the full-service jazz club that hosts internationally-renowned talent almost every night of the week. Sit, relax, and immerse yourself in this free spirited, reflective music.
Whatever way you choose to practice your moment of mindfulness, you’ll be amazed by the amount and variety of peaceful spaces and activities in the city center, and the impact they have on your attitude, productivity and focus as you return to your meeting.
Learn more about placing your meeting in Seattle at visitseattle.org/meetings.