Yantra Mat -- Spikey Accupressure Mat

The Yantra Mat features hundreds of spikes that are said to cover 8,820 pressure points (more than any other mat on the market.) is a mat that's designed to pin point acupressure points when you lie down on it. When I first saw the mat, the only thing that came to mind was "bed of nails," but I was too intrigued to run away in fear. I can't deny that the "spikes" were (and still often are) unexpectedly sharp to the touch.








It's not a painful experience since your body weight is evenly distributed across the spikes, for the most part, but it certainly doesn't tickle either.



The Yantra Mat is covered in plastic spikes on the front side, while the spike-free back boasts the Indian Meditation symbol called the "Yantra." The Yantra symbol, when looked at, is said to cause great relaxation. This design is also printed on the carry-bag the mat comes with. "The word Yantra comes from the Sanskrit word yan, which means “form,” and tra, which means “free.”

The Yantra is a symbol that reminds you to breathe deeply and relax.


Minutes after lying on the Yantra Mat, you'll begin to feel warmth in the body parts that are touching the mat. This is due to an increase in blood flow, which is a natural response to accupressure. Improved circulation means lower blood pressure and better nutrient delivery! I didn't even know this was a benefit of using the mat until I learned that on the Yantra Way website!

The points on the mat increase clarity and focus and a more relaxed state like that that comes with prolonged meditation or intense physical activity. And all you're doing is lying on this relaxing mat!

It's common to fall asleep on the Yantra Mat. I do it every single time I use it! It instantly puts me in relaxation mode and I can hardly hold myself awake, even if I've had 10 hours of sleep the night before. So I began using this at bed time rather than 4 hours after waking.

Here is some information pasted from Yantra Way website informing us of accupressure and what it's all about. This is a better explanation than the one I'd typed up, so here it is:

"The healing art of acupressure has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Scriptures written over 4,000 years ago describe "nail beds" that were used to heal the body and mind.

Says Wikipedia: “Reviews of acupressure clinical trials have been conducted… according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; for most conditions they have concluded tremendous effectiveness in well-conducted clinical trials.”

Acupressure may even induce the release of endorphins and oxytocin, the body’s own pain-relieving and happiness hormones. And there is some evidence that it increases metabolism as well."

How to Use the Yantra Mat

Begin by distributing your weight evenly over the mat when you lie down on it. It'll be really pokey for the first few minutes, but you'll breathe deeply and it'll pass. I actually have gotten a little used to the pokes because I can plop right down on them without feeling the pokes so intensely. It should never feel painful. If it does, you should place a towel between you and the mat. I often have jeans on when I sit on it doing computer activity or sometimes a thin shirt. This adds a good bit of protection from the spikes, so wearing clothing can help ease the spikes if you aren't yet used to them.

Yantra Way recommends at least 10 minutes of use each day for the first 1-4 days. Yantra Way says you'll notice the mat's effects right away. My effect is usually passing out for a deep nap. 

From day 5-14, they recommend about 20 minutes of use preferably at bedtime. 
Eventually, they say you'll feel more awake and refreshed when you wake up, and this too is true. I've been even getting up a couple hours earlier because when I wake up, I feel ready to get things done, so I don't have the urge to stay in bed. I did this morning though, that's for sure. But I didn't use the mat for the past couple days either. I do wake up ready to go and without slacking though. It does do that, and it's always wonderful to wake with motivation.

After 14 days,they recommend trying for 20- 40 minutes or more each day. You can lie on the mat as long as you want. There is no maximum time for using it. I often sleep on it for 4-5 hours, but usually I awake after right around the third hour and remove it.


Note: The most important thing about the accupressure mat is to relax while using it.

Does the mat cause skin discomfort after using it for a period of time? Nope! Other than some tiny little indents in my skin when I first get up (just like those lines you see on your arms and face from clothing or other material when you wake up) I have no problems. There's no swelling, burning, stinging or anything to that nature. If you happen to experience that, you should probably stop using, but it's highly unlikely that the mat itself could cause any such reaction, unless you jumped up and down on the spikes or deliberately intended to hurt yourself, in which case a Yantra Mat is not the only thing you need... 



More benefits of using the Yantra Accupressure Mat:

A difference in energy levels. I read that some people feel an increase in energy after lying on the mat. Then you have those of us who fall into one heck of a sleep. However, using the mat regularly can cause you to be more alert, focused and energetic during your days and even assure good sleeping at night. Some people never sleep without it.

As for me, I usually lie on it as I'm reading on my Kindle because I read until I fall asleep. So I stick the mat on the bed first, snuggle in with my Kindle and sleep on the mat. Later I usually wake up for whatever reasons and end up removing the mat and going back to sleep. It doesn't bother me or cause me any discomfort during sleep. 

Others like to sit on it while doing some kind of computer work, reading or watching TV. I sometimes sit on the bed, propped against my "chair pillow" with the mat under my back while I do work on my computer. 

Some people notice a decrease in pain, especially those who suffer from chronic conditions. I read one person saying that the mat helped with fibromyalgia. I have chronic migraines, and have been using the mat for 2-3 weeks now. I was so exhausted the last 3 nights that I crashed before putting the mat down, and I did awake with a migraine instantly today. It very well may help with headaches too. I did find it really comfortable to lie with my head on the spikes. I like that position a lot.

Using the Yantra Mat drastically helps decrease my stress levels, and I used it all last week, which was ahem... 'that time' if you understand me. And I'd wondered if using it daily would help ease some of my outrageous symptoms I get around my cycle, and I definitely wasn't as irritable as my first 2 days. Usually I'm a mess and I hate that I can't seem to get a grip on myself. I finished out the week without feeling so irritable, none of the typical crampy pain, and no back pain! I can imagine the mat is going to be one very handy product during the monthly curse!

It also helps you to sleep better, and works wonders for tense muscles. This is what my lovie has used the mat for -- achy, tense muscles. It helps with fatigue and muscle pain too.

My lovie has aches after work (he works mostly outdoors and it's freezing weather right now) and this weather causes tension and aches, so I got him to try lying on the mat. Yea.... when I looked over to see why he wasn't responding to what I'd been talking about he was out! It puts him to sleep too.







Positions you can use the Yantra Mat in

- Lying on your back. 
-Lying on your stomach.
-Lying with the side of your face resting on the spikes.
-Sitting propped up (in a chair or with pillows behind you) with the mat under you.

When lying on your back, bending your knees will allow better contact between your lower back and the spikes. 

Make sure the mat is also touching the back of your neck to stimulate points along there and your spine.

Material and Caring for your mat

The inner foam slides out. The spikes are basically attached to a piece of fabric that slides over the foamey inner portion. You can easily slide the spiky cover off and wash. 

I would not recommend washing the spikey cover. I don't know how it would do in a washing machine or dryer, so I avoid that. It can be wiped down with a wash cloth, wipes, or maye handwashed. I can't promise anything though. The good thing is the spikes are 100% ABS plastic, so no serious safety concerns.

As I mentioned earlier, the mat comes with a bag, a very very nice and handy bag! It comes rolled up inside this tubular bag, which zips shut at the top. It also has a cute keychain of that Indian Yantra symbol attached to the zipper. I roll my mat up and store it inside this bag every time I'm done using it. It's a great place for storage. The bag is nice for rolling it up and storing it since you don't have to make room for it in a closet. 

The bag also has a handle for carrying. This also makes traveling with your Yantra Mat very easy. On the side of the bag, it says "Yantra Mat." See the photo above.

I really love my Yantra Mat. I even get excited when it's time to pull it out and use it! I've had my grandmother trying it, my aunt trying it and my sisters, my neices messed with it as well as my mom, lovie and our 13 year old who cannot resist poking himself in the fingers with the spikes. We're all really fascinated, and yesterday when my family was over, my grandmother was telling my aunt and other family members "go ask Kendra to let you lay on her spike mat!" Ha. Ha. It was like taking turns on a merry go round. My aunt who tried it has a slipped disc that's pinching a nerve or something, so I offered to let her borrow it and when it helped, I'd buy her one. She didn't wanna take my mat, so I'm considering buying her her own because I feel like it could truly help her pain immensely! Especially from the things I've heard other users say.
  


For more learning about accupressure, stress and relieving it (as well as much more info) check out Yantra Way on Facebook. I've actually learned a lot from their fascinating and informative posts.