The combination of mindfulness and meditation practices with extended reality technology has immense potential. Devices like Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro provide a deep level of immersion that can greatly enhance these practices, which are often challenging to start and maintain.
Recognizing this potential, the leading meditation app Headspace has partnered with Meta, the maker of Quest, in a collaboration that involves multimedia design firm Nexus Studios. Together, they have customized the experience specifically for extended reality headsets.
The newly launched Headspace XR offers guided mindfulness and meditation practices led by instructors Dora Kamau and Kessonga Giscombe. These practices, including breathing exercises, body scans, and mood tracking, aim to help users refocus their attention and find inner peace.
Image Credits: Headspace
The Headspace XR experience also includes a community element where users can engage with others for support in maintaining their practice. The serene metaverse-style environments provide a unique backdrop for interaction and gaming, making the meditation experience more dynamic and engaging.
Headspace’s VP, Sara Cohen, highlights the importance of play in activating the brain for enhanced life satisfaction and well-being. The inclusion of gaming elements in the app aims to uplift moods and promote social activities as a pathway to mindfulness.
Unlike the standard subscription model, Headspace offers Headspace XR for a one-time fee of $30, catering to users of Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest Pro.
