If you’re into yoga or meditation, you’ll probably have a yoga mat. Minimally, they give you a slight cushioning against a hard floor. For many of us, they form a visual cue which helps us to enter a mindset – it’s that time again! Recently I reviewed a mat which offers more. Called the “Pranamat ECO” it is all of the above, but it’s more. The top surface of the Pranamat is covered with plastic lotus blossoms. The petals of each blossom come to an upward-facing point. There are about five thousand of these points, and they act to deliver several key benefits.
When you lay on the Pranamat, your body weight will apply significant pressure to these points, which provide acupressure therapy. This is said to stimulate the energy meridians, improving energy flow, which means you will feel more energised. It also releases the body’s natural happy chemicals – endorphins – so you’ll find the experience very enjoyable and that feeling will stay with you for quite a while afterwards. Your stress will recede. Those petal points also probe the outer and middle layers of the skin, stimulating blood and lymph circulation. The sensation of all those points pressing into your back will give you plenty to think about – the result of which is improved mindfulness and body-awareness. Both are very good generally, and are particularly complementary with yoga and meditation. If you suffer from back or neck pain, you may find particular relief from those conditions with this mat.
This mat is made by Advaita. They have produced videos and tutorials explaining the features and benefits of their Pranamat, and instructions in the various ways it can be used. You can find those at pranamat.com.
Advaita are eco-friendly and Pranamat ECO is specifically made with the environment in mind. Coconut fibre, cotton and linen are the sole constituents of the mat itself – no bleaches, no glues. Even the lotus blossoms are made from medical grade HIPS plastic – one of the Eco-friendly varieties.
Pranamat Eco has been available in the UK since 2010 and it has stood the test of time with a large body of positive reviews to be found online. Cheaper imitations are now available, but they are unlikely to have been designed so carefully or by experts of the calibre of those at Advaita. For my money, Pranamat ECO is the one to go for.