Le Headspace guides is the brand new way Netflix to learn all secrets of meditation, this art so unknown yet capable of working miracles. Not only does it arrive on the streaming platform with 8 detailed episodes but it also offers us aapplication able to help us get into the right spirit.
We watched the TV series and used daily basis the Headspace application for a few weeks. Now we are ready to tell you ours.
The Headspace Guides, meditating in a different way
Have you ever taken a time for yourself? One of those moments when the cell phone is off, the lights are dim and you are practically doing nothing, except breathe? In fact it is difficult to take or even find such a moment, especially in a troubled period e strange like this one we have been experiencing for a year now.
This however is what Andy, our friend-narrator, introduces us to Headspace Guides. His voice is calm, it almost looks like one ninna nanna, and it introduces itself to us in the first episode. Andy briefly tells us about his life and his choice to become a Buddhist monk. Sure, he went to the Himalayas with the monks and sometimes we would like to do it too without thinking twice, but Andy stops us and reassures.
He reveals that it is possible learn the secrets of meditation without necessarily having to go to the Himalayas. It actually looks pretty cool, not least because we can't move and create one at the moment total relaxation area it's the only thing we can do.
So let's start by analyzing the structure of the TV series and then let's move slowly to the application.
A short but substantial TV series
The TV series, available on Netflix's streaming platform, looks like a kind of interactive documentary in which we must actively participate e follow the teachings step by step e suggestions of our friend Andy. The series consists of eight episodes and each of them deals with topics in particular. These are topics that concern everyone a little and that, often and willingly, block us and they do not allow us to live peacefully.
In the first episode Andy illustrates us what is meditation, pointing out that it is not a way to eliminate our thoughts, but a way to welcome them e learn to let them go, focusing on other things like ourselves, our breath and our body.
In the second episode we tackle a topic we found very challenging and that touched us in particular: let things go. This episode shows us the best way to abandon the emotional baggage that oppresses us: anger, frustrations, negative thoughts. The focus of this episode is a relaxed meditation on display. In a certain sense it is trying to see with closed eyes: searching, among the dark spaces of our mind, for what oppresses us and then working with imagination. Certainly Andy will be able to explain it to you much better.
During the third episode Andy accompanies us in this one short break of gratitude on life: we must fall in love with it. Listen to the mind and explore, with your guide, various ways to fall in love with life. It is an important topic that often is not taken into account.
The fourth episode explains us how to manage stress, the sense of overwhelm that begins within us. We learn to change our relationship with anxiety and, finally, to manage stress with one simple but powerful technique. The fifth, on the other hand, teaches us to be kind. How can we be kind to others? The first thing to do is put aside grudges that we have with our neighbor and, in particular, with ourselves for later learn to live with greater compassion.
The last three episodes are special and dig even deeper. Andy explains to us how to manage pain and live without suffering. Then he illustrates us how to manage anger, turning it into something positive. Finally she reveals the trick to be able to exploit our unlimited potential.
Learn to open your mind and explore yourself, why you are able to do many things you just don't know about it yet.
The peculiarity of this series lies in its simplicity. Most of the time people don't take meditation seriously because, at first glance, it turns out to be too complicated and difficult to understand. Thanks to Headspace Guides and dear Andy, meditation is within everyone's reach, at any time, when you want.
Headspace application: meditating is simple
While watching the Netflix original TV series, we will also talk about theHeadspace application. That's right, dear readers, there is also a special application. We believe the idea of combining a TV series with a smartphone application be very useful and now we explain why.
The TV series serves as a start, as a method for entice the viewer to become passionate about this practice. She is very interactive and almost feels like talking to someone, for all eight episodes in fact you feel in company. Once you've finished the series and learned the basics, it's time to download the app.
The Headspace app, available on both iOS and Android, it is not free and it is therefore necessary to have a subscription. However they are available seven days free trial to test all its features and evaluate if it is really the application that is right for us. We have tried it for about three weeks and we can say that it was very useful, especially during a week when the stress was sky high.
But let's proceed step by step. Headspace delivers seven day trial and then you have various subscriptions available:
- Monthly (€ 9,99 per month);
- Biennial (€ 4,74 per month);
- Annual (€ 49,99);
- For life (€ 395.95).
Is it worth downloading this application and paying for one of these subscriptions? The answer is yes. In addition to offering an incredible variety of methods to meditate, the application also offers gods interesting bonuses. Let's start from the ground up: despite, at the moment, both in English only, the Headspace interface is simple ed intuitive. On top of that we don't know how interesting it might be but the graphics are lovely and convey a sense of peace.
The first section we find is Meditation, in which we have several courses available: here too, as in the series, we find the basi, how to breathe properly, how to let go of stress and much more. In this section there is also a sub-section, Explore Meditation. Here we find other courses, the timer to choose the duration of our session, the window SOS that we can use in situations of extreme emergency and advice on breathing and support techniques.
Moreover, the group meditation. This is probably one of the coolest features because it allows us to meditate with other people, even if we can't see or communicate with them. We feel in company and in an uncertain period like this it helps us feel less alone.
Download
QR-Code
Headspace: Mindful Meditation
Developer:
Headspace Inc.
Price:
Free+
Trouble sleeping? Headspace takes care of it
Among other features we find that for the sonno. Many people, especially during difficult times and when stress is the order of the day, struggle to sleep. We find ourselves in bed, with heavy head from thoughts, we worry about the following day and we end up spend the night in white.
Lack of sleep, as a result, makes us irritable e it does not allow us to concentrate best about what we need to do. Fortunately Headspace is ready to help us. Inside the application we find the section Sleep (Sleep). Here we have numerous methods available to try to rest better.
we find soothing sounds like the sound of rain combined with a soft and relaxing voice that accompanies us in the world of dreams, but also stories of a few minutes whose purpose is to relax. We can also decide with which "teacher”Do this session: in fact, dear readers, there is not only Andy but also other people. We do not want to reveal their name to you, however, it is up to you to know them.
Do you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night? Don't worry, Headspace offers you the section Night SOS, with exercises that will help you fall asleep again. There are also 3D sounds from the most beautiful places of all the world. This is definitely our favorite section of all: plus we can set the duration of these sounds, from 45 to 500 minutes.
Exercise and yoga
Last but not least: physical exercise.
Headspace reminds us to exercise and that this practice too it can help us say goodbye to many troubles. We were not aware of it but there are numerous physical exercises capable of fight stress, anxiety, frustrations, anger and much more. Obviously there is no shortage morning yoga sessions, to wake up full of energy and evening, loosen the muscles before going to sleep.
Don't worry about your physical level: the purpose of these exercises is not to build muscle mass or lose weight. The goal is to relieve stress.
Download
QR-Code
Headspace: Mindful Meditation
Developer:
Headspace for Meditation, Mindfulness and Sleep
Price:
Free+
Conclusions
Headspace could be the perfect solution to all your problems. We say "may" because we are aware of the anxiety and worries they affect us differently. Some Headspace methods might be perfect for some of you while for others they might does not work. It is certain, however, that it costs nothing to try: literally.
Thanks to seven day free trial you have the opportunity to better analyze the application and try it out. We can tell you that we have found it very helpful, particularly during a week of extreme stress with various problems popping up suddenly. Besides the sleep section it allowed us to sleep better and wake up more relaxed.
Now it's your turn: watch the TV series on Netflix for a first approach to meditation. If then you find yourself at ease and you want to learn more, you can download and try the application. If you are curious, you can visit the official website.
Discount
The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness: How...
- Puddicombe, Andy (Author)
