There’s no doubt that aside from the Wii’s appeal as a vehicle for our beloved Nintendo characters and games such as Mario and Zelda, it has also been a huge success at attracting non-hardcore, or casual gamers with a diverse range of family-friendly exercise, dance and fitness applications. There are even Yoga games, with the Yoga sections of Wii Fit Plus being hugely popular as well. Now we have a welcome addition to the Wii’s catalogue of mind-body-spirit and fitness-focused games with the announcement that world-renowned mind-body healing expert and bestselling author, Deepak Chopra MD, has joined with console gaming giant THQ to release his own interactive experience for the Wii, entitled “Leela”. Leela, which means “pastime”, “sport” or “play” in Sanskrit, is inspired by the ancient system of chakras – the body’s seven energy centers through which the life force flows – and invites players to achieve a peaceful and focused “flow state.” The ground-breaking journey of mind and body combines ancient relaxation and meditation techniques with the seamless technology of Wii. Physical activity and meditation together create a fully immersive experience infused with stunning landscapes and captivating sound-scapes to help instil a sense of focus and rejuvenation. Here are some of the key features of the game, as outlined by THQ: [/FONT]
- [FONT=&]Groundbreaking. Deepak Chopra's Leela uniquely combines physical activity and meditation to create a fully immersive experience using game consoles.[/FONT]
- [FONT=&]Chakra-based meditation. Through seven movements, users can focus their attention on specific parts of their bodies to relax and develop a “flow state.”[/FONT]
- [FONT=&]Stillness in motion. In the “Stillness Meditation” tradition, the Kinect measures players’ breathing and provides gentle feedback and encouragement. [/FONT]
- [FONT=&]Personal. Deepak Chopra’s Leela utilizes the player’s own abilities to help cultivate a healthier, harmonious and more balanced life.[/FONT]