A free mindfulness experience has opened in central London to calm raging commuters

Room to Breathe is a soothing sensory experience which aims to help furious commuters and busy people in the city unwind.
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A free mindfulness experience has opened at Tottenham Court Road to help bring calm to London’s raging commuters.

Room to Breathe is a soothing sensory experience which aims to help anxious commuters and busy people in the city unwind.

A new immersive experience has opened at Tottenham Court Road to calm commutersA new immersive experience has opened at Tottenham Court Road to calm commuters
A new immersive experience has opened at Tottenham Court Road to calm commuters
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Based on the science of box-breathing, visitors are immersed in visuals of rolling clouds, calm skies and the sun, combined with peaceful music.

The sounds guide commuters to breathe in, hold, and then breathe out using a four-second breathing technique.

The music slowly moves from acoustic piano through to more organic synthesised tones to help people settle into the calming breath pattern.

Located in Outernet London, opposite Tottenham Court Road Tube station, the experience has been developed by Pixel Artworks in conjunction with a UK trauma and anxiety consultant.

Riaz Farooq, creative director at Pixel ArtworksRiaz Farooq, creative director at Pixel Artworks
Riaz Farooq, creative director at Pixel Artworks
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Speaking at the opening, Riaz Farooq, creative director at Pixel Artworks said: “The main thing we want people to take away from this experience is the fundamental principles of box breathing.

“Everything you see from the beautiful sun from above, to the clouds and all of the colour waves cycling through all really following the rhythm of box breathing.

“Every four seconds there is a transition and that really speaks to the breathing in, the holding, the breathing out and holding of the exercise.

“That is really something that people can take away and utilise in their day to day to really enhance their ability to deal with anxiety.”

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Trauma and anxiety consultant Jayne Cox said: “Anxiety and stress can change the way we breathe, with our breath often becoming rapid and shallow, therefore resulting in heightened anxiety.

“Learning and regularly implementing a simple breathing technique reduces anxiety by helping us have more control over our breath.

“Once learnt, these techniques can support us anywhere, whether we are on the move or at home.”

The unique immersive mindfulness experience will be shown at 11am-12pm, 2-3pm and 7-8pm daily and will be open to the public from Monday July 25 onwards.

There’s no need to reserve a space or pay to experience the sessions which are open to all ages.