To begin
Carefully lie down on your Yantra Mat. Distribute your weight evenly over the contact points. For the first few minutes, you will likely experience discomfort; this will subside. Breathe deeply and remain still.
Certain conditions can make our skin more sensitive. The Yantra Mat should not feel painful. If it does hurt, place a thin sheet between your body and the mat. After a period of time, try using the Yantra Mat without a protective layer.
Days 1-4
We recommend about 10 minutes of use. You'll recognize the Yantra Mat’s effects right away, but they may develop once you start using the mat more frequently. Some people fall asleep on the mat. Others get an energy boost immediately after use.
Days 5-14
We recommend about 20 minutes of use, preferably at bedtime. If you fall asleep, that’s okay. Avoid watching the clock (set an alarm if you must). The most important thing is to relax. It doesn’t matter if your total time on the mat is more than 20 minutes. Remove the mat when you wake up and go back to sleep. Eventually, you’ll feel that you awake more refreshed and energized for the day ahead.
After 14 days
By this time, you will have learned a lot about the Yantra Mat and its effects on your body/mind. Try 20-40 minutes, or more. You can lie on the mat as long as you like. We suggest using the mat daily, although some people use it less often.
Back
Lie down on a flat surface. If possible, place a pillow under your neck. This stimulates acupressure points along the spine and can help soothe neck and back problems. Bend your knees to ensure contact with your lower back (or use on top of your mattress, for more contouring).
Stomach
Lie down on your stomach. This will loosen tightness in the diaphragm and respiratory muscles, and may improve your metabolism.
Seat
You can use the mat on a regular chair, or sit down and place the mat under your buttocks. This position will loosen tension in the lumbar region and buttocks.
Cheek
Lie down carefully with your cheek against the mat. If this feels unpleasant, use a thin sheet. This position can help loosen tightness in the neck and jaw.
Recent Media Coverage
The Globe and Mail |
Health and wellness gear when you’re on the go March 2, 2011
"The Yantra Mat takes a 'no pain, no gain' approach to stress relief .... the acupressure mat is an ideal place to lie down and treat your aches and pains after a long day ..."
Read Full Post...*********
SPOONFULLIVING |
Meditation Aid August 17, 2010
"I love rolling it up and resting it behind my head and shoulders to relieve built up tension."
Read Full Post...*************
Daily Grommet |
A Modern Spin on Ancient Stress Relief August 11, 2010
"Acupressure mats offer the perfect modern solution to at-home health and relaxation."
Read Full Post...***********
Glamour |
A Spiky, Prickly Thing You Lay On for Stress Relief July 9, 2010
"So, my opinion: Worth a try!"
Read Full Post... Examiner.com - New York |
Yantra Mat Offers Alternative Stress Relief June 27, 2010
"[My husband and friends] were all amazed by the deep relaxation and lessening muscle tension as well."
Read Full Post...********************
Maxim |
Witness the Fitness: Acupressure May 17, 2010
"Lie on the mat for 10-40mins for muscle tension and back/neck pain relief. It's yantra, baby."
Read Full Post...******************
The Tyra Banks Show |
Yantra Mat February 23, 2010
"Who can afford a massage or, like, getting to the spa? Roll out a Yantra Mat and you're ready to go."
Read Full Post...**************
Shape |
Smart Fitness Gear for Any Athlete August 2, 2010
"Skip hiring a masseuse or acupuncturist, and do it yourself with this acupressure spike mat."
Read Full Post...********************
Fitness Magazine |
Survival of the Fit Test June 1, 2010
"When I reached 15 minutes, I actually felt equally relaxed and invigorated, as if I had just received a massage."
Read Full Post...*******************
MyStyle.com |
How to Relieve Stress? May 11, 2010
"It sounds bizarre, but we've tried it. And it works."
Read Full Post...*********************
LiveStrong.com |
Acupressure Instruments June 12, 2010
"Acupressure may be useful as supplemental treatment for conditions such as allergies, colds and influenza, menstrual cramps, depression, fatigue, hangovers, nasal congestion and insomnia."
Read Full Post...
"I am a yoga instructor, teaching the benefits of relaxation in schools, businesses, hospitals and retreats throughout the U.S. I love the sensation of the prickly mat on my back and the heightened awareness, moving me into a state of complete surrender."
Sarah Starr, Host of "Happy Yoga with Sarah Starr"
Kewaunee, WI
"Everybody is trying to steal my mat!!!! My husband, my brother, my mom... I love it and was very surprised by its effects."
Gwen Zebell Hatcher
San Antonio, TX
"I'm really getting used to the Yantra Mat. When I can't sleep at night, which is a lot unfortunately, I lay on it and I seem to fall asleep without even having to think about it. It's a little shocking to wake up on it by moving or rolling over, but at least I get some rest. It's great!"
Viola McHorse, Paramedic/Education Coordinator
Natalia, TX
"I would say that my overall well-being has DEFINITELY improved!"
Lisa 'Taj' McCellon, Massage Therapist
Albuquerque, NM
"At first I was cautious of the spikes, but after a few minutes I felt relaxed all over my body, even where my muscles weren't in contact with the acupressure points. I use this mat on a daily basis. And it's really helped with my sleeping issues. I never have a problem going to sleep after lying on the mat for 15 minutes."
Amine Elghouayel, Fitness Instructor
New York, NY
"After a grueling day on the mountain or an exhausting trip to get there, one 40 minute session on the Yantra Mat and I feel totally revived. As soon as the blood starts rushing through my back, I can't help but fall asleep. I usually wake up about 30 to 40 minutes later, with as much energy as if I had slept through the night."
Jon Orarback, Professional Skier
Sälen, Sweden
"Once I begin to use it, I don't want to get up again. I become so relaxed. The relief of stress and pain supports the activity of the immune system. I'm feeling more healthy."
Jo Anne Koenig, Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
Falmouth, MA
"I am 75 and I've tried many different things! The Yantra Mat makes some of my fibromyalgia pain just disappear. I put it in my armchair and lean against it while I watch my favorite television programs. I am pleased because it's hard to get any help with this pain."
Madeleine Hecht
Cape Cod, MA
"I had tried another spike mat before with some satisfaction, but when I found Yantra Way's mat, I knew I had found the best solution available. There are more spikes and a larger area covered, so obviously, the relaxation is deeper. I use it nearly every day and I have found it to be the perfect gateway to serenity and relaxation. I routinely find myself falling asleep on the mat and the longer I'm on it, the better I feel. As a long distance runner for twenty years, I find that there is no better way to recover from a run than to treat myself to 30 minutes on the spike mat with an iPod full of relaxing music. I also find that lying on my mat prior to yoga loosens my muscles and provides a heightened level of focus for my practice."
Joe Daly, International Marathoner, Running Coach, Yoga Practitioner
San Diego, CA
"Wow! I just did my first Yantra Mat session a few minutes ago, and it was AMAZING! Pretty intense when I first lay down, and I was a little apprehensive, but I did some deep breathing and relaxed as the brochure suggested, and in a few minutes, I felt this wonderful warmth and relaxation in my back and butt. Just went ...10 minutes, but I really didn't want to get off. Felt very energized afterwards. This will definitely become a daily routine for me..."
Pamela Wrona
"When I first received my mat I was a little worried about the spikes, but once I laid down I never wanted to get back up! This mat is amazing. I use it every day to help relieve stress and it immediately relaxes me. I don't know what I did without the Yanra Mat! I feel so much more relaxed and haven't had a back pain since I started using it."
Lauren Wuscher, Style Expert and President of IMAGEine U. LLC