Acupressure is a great way to relax, recover from a hard workout, boost your energy levels, and give some relief to conditions like chronic low back pain. I sometimes suffer from low back pain myself due to OLDR (Obsessive Long Distance Running). The only thing that keeps it at bay is a daily stretching routine, but I tend to slack off, so when the maker of the Yantra Mat asked me to do a review of their product, I jumped at the chance.
How to Use the Yantra Mat
The concept is simple; just unroll the mat and lay on it. The suggested positions for laying on it are the back for conditions like mine, on the stomach to improve metabolism, and on the cheek to sooth the neck and jaw. It can also be placed in a chair to ease lumbar pain.
The manufacturer suggests starting off using the mat for just 10 minutes for the first few days, double that for the next week or so, and after that each individual will know what amount of time he or she needs for the sought benefit. The mat feels a little “spiky” at first due to the surface (see the photo above), but that feeling quickly goes away.
Test Results and Health Benefits
I followed the 10 minute schedule for first few days and felt some relief, so I boosted it up to a half hour after that. I used the mat every day but only stretched every other day so I could determine the effect. I continued my running program as normal. The bottom line? On days when I both stretched and used the mat, I felt more limber and energetic. I also found that I got the best results listening to a guided meditation MP3 with headphones.
The only issue I had was when I fell asleep on it and tried to turn onto my side. The plastic nubs scratched my arm a bit. I’m a quick learner though, and I didn’t make that mistake again!
Overall, the results from multiple uses of this mat are comparable to an acupressure treatment I received many years ago after competing in the Texas Hill Country Triathlon. For further information, check out the Yantra Mat website.
Thanks for sharing the Yantra Mat review with us, Kelly. It does seem useful for sufferers of low back pain and am sure many moms, including me, would love to get our hands on these. Quick question – what are these mats made of and how does one keep them clean?
Also, does lying on the mat leave your back tingly? I’ve noticed that with my feet when I wear acupressure slippers, so am curious. Thanks!