Putting the ‘zap’ into meditation
Meditation for people who don’t like to meditate. That’s the gist of a new audio experience launched on the streets of Christchurch.
Wanderble is a series of tracks accessible through the company’s website, linked to locations in and around the Christchurch Art Gallery.
The business is run by Kris Herbert, James Meharry and Tim Hatherley-Greene. Herbert said the idea was ‘‘location-specific experiences that have a mindfulness element’’.
One experience instructs listeners to stand in an alcove on the first floor of the gallery, acknowledge that people walking outside had just as many issues as you, and to ‘‘zap’’ them with positive energy.
Another is a mindfulness exercise to be done while drinking a flat white, appreciating the string of people involved in your daily cuppa.
‘‘The science is very clear now. Meditation has been shown to improve physical and mental wellbeing across many areas – from increased focus to improved immune function to relief of chronic pain,’’ Herbert said.
‘‘But most people – including myself – find it hard to make meditation a part of everyday life. So we’ve created Wanderble to be a great experience first, and the benefits of meditation are just the bonus.’’
It was Herbert’s fourth locationspecific audio experience. Earlier this year she launched the Our Stories app, a series of excerpts telling the stories of Lyttelton and its people. While walking around the town, listeners would get notifications to listen in on relevant yarns.
Seven tracks had been released so far on Wanderble, designed to be heard both inside and outside the gallery. The team had carried out training with staff to introduce visitors to the idea.
They plan to release more in the future, and have begun working with companies to see how the tracks could help with staff wellness. Herbert said the company hoped to partner with more galleries and cities wanting to activate public spaces, and saw Christchurch as the testing ground for this new meditative experience.
‘‘They are designed to capture you, to develop that sense of connection to a place, but also to create a magical experience that brings a smile to your face,’’ Herbert said.