Prana, a Clip-On Device to Make You Slouch Less, Breathe Better


PranaWearableMany of the health conscious wearables we hear about today help us out a lot when it comes to tracking how many miles we run, and how many calories we eat. It's nice to have a gadget count your steps while walking across campus, but what about those of us that sit down most of the day, specifically in a society so dominated by seated professions? According to Wareable, while “we are getting so close to full body saturation of wearable tech now”, why not give a shot at Prana, a new clip-on wearable that combines breath and posture tracking to monitor how your posture impacts your breath throughout the day.

PranaWearable2Besides the lack of exercise, sitting down all day can take a toll on your body. Business Insider points out, “Sitting for more than eight hours per day can put you at a higher risk for muscular skeletal disease. Slouching all day can also lead to long term illness, including breathing problems”. Prana, a word derived from the breathing control method “Pranayama”, works to alert you of how deep your breathing is, as well as where you are breathing from. Breathing from the abdomen has been proven to be healthier than breathing from the chest, as it reduces stress and increases energy. Because the best way to breathe properly is to practice good posture, both of these aspects can be easily controlled by wearing the Prana device. Sensors inside of Prana may monitor posture and breathing metrics in either a passive or active mode, and a corresponding app can then send you a text inviting you to do a three-minute training session.

PranaWearable1In order to get more involved in the app. Prana software brings a gamification aspect to the posture and breathing correction exercises. It includes “an extensive library of breathing executrices/techniques from traditions from all around the world, including Yoga Pranayama, Tai Chi and Buteyko”, says Prana's Vice President, Alex Ahlud. For $150, the silver disk easily clips onto your pants, works with most Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, and can be used to to diagnose medical problems such as panic disorders, hypertension, and asthma. The device should be ready for the consumer market by January 2015.

Topics: Technology News Gadgets & Peripherals Smartphones & Mobile Devices

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