Nhis Instagram account, Lewis Hamilton, 40 years, seven times Formula 1 world champion, He posted a photo with his father after a meditation session. “Alba together, we took a moment to say thanks to all the goals achieved together». It may seem surprising for a person who runs beyond 300 kilometers per hour and who did his work on speed, yet the Ferrari driver He discovered the benefits of yoga and meditation, of being here and now and slowing down, taking your time to understand who you are and what you want to be: «Among the things I learned as an adult There is a kind being with yourself. We live in a ferocious time where it is important to know where you are going. There is beauty around us and meditation serves to block that noise that always distracts us ».
We did a Exclusive Mindfulness session with the Formula1 icon.
A special session in London
The opportunity was his appointment a Global Ambassador of Canadian sportswear and lifestyle brand, Lululemon, For which he also designed a capsule collection and, above all, the landing in Italy of the brand. The company, which has a defined community and identity core (1700 ambassadors in the world and five key values: courage, connection, fun, inclusion and personal responsibility)organized the special session in view of the opening a Milan, next July 19th. An international “tasting”, therefore, on its world through the lenses of a sportsman who, first, needs to wear and experiment with performing fabrics.
The appointment – After a yoga practice with another ambassador, Sanchia Legister – It happened in an underground London – so to speak, of course – used in this case in the gym with the sports followers of the community, decidedly active all over the world between events and sports initiatives. In the dark, we sat in an amphitheater structure, only red and black colors. Although passionate about spiritual practices … I was unable to close my eyes and connect. I confess it: the emotion is too strong and The journalistic curiosity to listen to a champion so closely. It wasn’t really the time to … seek silence inside.
Lewis Hamilton: “We live 1440 minutes every day, we use them well”
Lewis Hamilton interviewed by Charlie Dark after the Mindfulness session (Photo by Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images For Lululemon)
«In a world where we all start with the same 24 hours a day, We have 1,440 minutes to live available. Never feel guilty to take a break: you have the right to carve out a moment to relax your mind and reconnect with yourself »he began. “Find that moment when you are waiting for yourself, that moment when everything else disappears and only you do.” “Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Let your mind be really present, here and now. Don’t worry about what will come. Let tomorrow remain in the future. Relax with me. Live every second with fullness. Inhale. Exhale” Hamilton underlined during guided meditation.
The driver Lewis Hamilton is a meditation lover
“I don’t always be able to meditate; I try, I try to make it a daily habit. Every morning I dedicate myself to stretching, practical yoga and I enjoy the city as I welcome the first rays of the sun and the landscape will be there, perhaps from my garden »explained Hamilton to Charlie Dark, British artist with a thousand talents, poet, DJ, Founder of a running club, a member of the Lululemon community, who interviewed him after the session.
The star of the Ferrari team has pressed her foot several times on the concept of time. “It’s precious. It is a meter of size: the more you have, the more you are rich, but the less you need it, the more you are appreciated » he commented. “We tend to spend our days without really paying attention to our breath,” he observed. To then add: “What do you do with your time in this planet if you are not present to yourself.”
The power of the break
He therefore praised “The power of the break”. “Sometimes it is better to slow down to be able to start stronger, rest and find your center to discover the champion who is within us.”
“Learning to breathe better changed the quality of my days” He then confessed with disarming simplicity. He said he learned techniques like the “Box Breathing”, a four -fas breathing exercisethe. It is based on the awareness of the breath, even during the movement. “It was an important” discovery “and I am happy. As a boy I entered the gym and I was told to train without thinking about breathing, you just had to pump and give my best. Instead success is not only made of physical performance, but also of mental balance».
Lewis Hamilton, pilot and now also “designer” and Global Ambassador (Courtesy Press Office Lululemon)
Lewis Hamilton: not just meditation, even ten personal goals every year
Hamilton therefore concluded the meeting confessing that Every year ten personal goals is placed, as a guide and stimulus to growth. «I can’t always reach them all – maybe three – but the most important thing is to have something to concentrate on. If you don’t know where you are going, any road will be fine ».
Lewis Hamilton in the Silverstone circuit last July. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
«For this reason it is essential to have a direction, to know where you want to arrive. From a professional point of view, I understood that true progress is to be able to grow. You can’t always win. The real success is not just first to arrive: it’s the path. It is the story you build with the people you work with. It is like present every day, it is the way you inspire others ».
“I like to work in a team. This was a very hard season for everyone, perhaps the most difficult ever. Last September, I decided to look at all my mechanics in my eyes, one by one, until the latest arrival: we are all on the same boat, I explained to them. We must create a space in which everyone can give the best. And, in turn, bring out the best from others ».
«I choose to look at progress. We often think that those who arrive at the top no longer feel certain emotions, but it is not so. There are people who are wrong every day, but what matters is to learn. Nobody is perfect. I tell myself: “You did well”. Tomorrow you will do better. I really worked hard to change perspective».
And if a seven times world champion says it, we have no doubts.
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