Interactive Meditation Mat

This fun project uses Velostat, pressure sensitive conductive sheets, to create an interactive meditation mat. Shared by EmilyG107 on Instructables:

Stimulation is everywhere in the modern age. The outside world is filled with flashing lights, loud sounds, advertisements, music, cars. It’s uncommon to get a quiet moment to clear your mind these days. As technology becomes more and more a part of our daily lives and our quotidian objects, our lives become more about convenience, and faster paced than ever before.

Based on a number of examples of homemade pressure sensor mats, I used Velostat to create a giant pressure sensor that would act as a button that turns on a series of LED string fairy lights so that they can pulse.

Glo Flo is about highjacking the concept of unnecessary integration of tech into our daily objects and instead creating something that promotes in the moment awareness, connection with our bodies, clears and calms the mind. It’s highlighting that calm and quiet is becoming a leisure activity.

With smartphones, a world of stimulation is at the tip of your finger.

With Glo Flo, serenity is at the tip of your toe.

The light pulsing is meant to guide measured breathing, being who I am (easily distracted), when I do meditate I need something to focus on, and the light not only gives me a focal point, but also gives me something like a pacer for how I want to breath, depending on the yoga style or meditation I’m doing.

Check out the full project details HERE.