See Inside Headspace’s Otherworldly Launch Event for Its Stars Wars Collab

NEW YORK—To celebrate its recent collaboration with Lucasfilm, Headspace invited guests to a galaxy far, far away—in this case, a rooftop venue in Manhattan.

The mindfulness and meditation app hosted its “Find Your Force” launch event on May 3—right before May the 4th (aka Star Wars Day)—at 620 Loft & Garden at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

The app now features four animated breathing exercises featuring fans' favorite Star Wars characters like Yoda, BB-8, Chewbacca, and R2-D2. Plus, there are three sleepcasts that mentally transport listeners to some of the most iconic locations in the Star Wars galaxy.

Guests posed with Chewbacca and R2-D2 before walking through an expansive hall that featured LED star drops and celestial soundscapes.Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Headspace“As we continue to improve the health and happiness of the world, we are always looking at fun, accessible, and approachable ways to bring mindfulness and meditation into our members’ lives, and we can't think of a better partner than Star Wars,” said Morgan Selzer, chief content officer at Headspace.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a costumed actor dressed as Chewbacca, alongside R2-D2, to pose with for photos. To incorporate the new mindfulness content, Headspace presented a live sleepcast reading at sunset, inspired by the fictional yellow-orange plant of Tatooine, with popular narrator Helen Day. Attendees got comfy with a branded yoga mat, meditation pillows, fluffy socks, and sleep eye masks. The evening ended with a mindfulness and breathwork workshop led by one of the app’s teachers, Samantha Snowden. A fun touch? The app’s audio was synced to the venue’s “lightsaber-esque” lighting for a harmonic effect of light, sound, and deep breathing.

The app’s audio was synced to the venue’s “lightsaber-esque” lighting for a harmonic effect of light, sound, and deep breathing.Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for HeadspaceAcquolina Catering curated small bites inspired by the partnership, such as a citrus risotto that was served in an orange peel (to resemble BB-8), plus various fruit-infused iced mocktails and a chamomile and lavender tea cart.

Dusty Bennett, executive vice president and creative and executive producer at DKC's HangarFour, the creative agency tasked with producing the event, said that 620 Loft & Garden provided the ideal setting for the out-of-this-world experience.

“When looking for the perfect venue for this event, we wanted something that was unique, indoor/outdoor, and off the ground, ‘in the sky’ so to speak," he said. "Not only was this iconic rooftop a way to get away from the sounds of the city, but as night fell, we were directly under the stars, which helped create the perfect backdrop for demoing the sleepcast. The venue is a hidden oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle—the juxtaposition of the calmness in the chaos just felt right for this Star Wars-inspired meditation moment.”

The 40-plus guest list included members of the media as well as meditation and Star Wars influencers.

Guests received goodie bags filled with Headspace swag including the branded yoga mats, meditation pillows, socks, and eye masks, plus a breakable chocolate Millennium Falcon that contained a gift card for a 12-month subscription to the app.Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Headspace

Headspace presented a live sleepcast reading at sunset, inspired by the fictional yellow-orange plant of Tatooine, with popular narrator Helen Day.Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Headspace

The evening ended with a mindfulness and breathwork workshop led by one of the app’s teachers, Samantha Snowden.Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Headspace