If you’re serious about your yoga or Pilates practice and want to invest in a mat that offers the ultimate in support, stability and performance, then consider the  Manduka Black Mat PRO. Known for its comfort and cushioning, it’s reputed to be the mat chosen first by yoga instructors worldwide.

The Black Mat is thick  (¼”) and really dense – yet it allows you to feel connected to the floor – an important factor in a yoga mat. Some mats offer extra thickness, but they’re soft; and that can make balancing poses difficult.  But the Black Mat Pro’s density provides a firm, supportive foundation for your standing poses, allowing the arch of your foot to stay lifted as your heel and toes stay grounded. Still, there’s more than enough cushioning for your floor poses …  for your hips in Bow pose, your neck in Bridge pose or the tops of your feet in Reclining Hero pose.

The mat has a definite top side and bottom side.  The top isn’t like a standard “sticky” mat, but its non-slip fabric finish keeps your feet firmly rooted during standing poses such as Downward-Facing Dog and Warrior … even at your sweatiest. And the bottom holds it in place on hard, slippery floors, leaving you confident that it won’t move during your aggressive Ashtanga practices.

Because it’s made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), you may think the Black Mat Pro isn’t  environmentally friendly, but Manduka’s plants have been certified by the European Oeko-Tex council as producing zero toxic emissions in their manufacturing process.  And PVC is a high-performance material, so this mat is designed to last a very, very long time. It even comes with a lifetime guarantee which you won’t find with any other mat.  This, to me, makes the Black Mat a very eco-friendly product.

I should mention that, because of the Black Mat PRO’s density, extra length (71″ or 85″) and extra width (26″), it’s no lightweight. The 71” mat weighs in at a full 7 lbs and the 85” is 8.5 lbs, which might make it a bit inconvenient to tote around.  If you like the idea of the Black Mat Pro, but want something more portable, the Manduka ProLite, might be a better choice. Not quite as dense or as wide as it’s big brother, the ProLite is 3/16” thick and 24” wide,  (but has the 71″ length) and only weighs 4 lbs. It’s made of the same high-performing, slip resistant fabric-like surface and comes with the same lifetime guarantee. And unlike the Black Mat Pro (which comes only in black), the ProLite gives you 5 color choices.

The name “Manduka” was inspired by the Hatha Yoga Pradipika pose, Mandukasana, or Frog Pose. Manduka has provided top quality yoga products to yoga teachers and students for over ten years. From its beginning, the company has had a reputation for celebrating the bond yoga shares with the natural world. The idea of respect for all living things is key to the company’s philosophy.

Your yoga mat can make a world of difference in your yoga practice. It won’t make you more flexible or stronger or increase your balance, but it will offer the support that you need to find and unleash your inner warrior!

• Available in 2 lengths: 71” ($85.00) and 85” ($96.00)
• Made of Polyester and eco-certified PVC
• Color: Black
• Width: 26”
• Thickness: ¼”
• Weight: 7 lbs or 8.5 lbs.
• 30-day return warranty
• Lifetime guarantee

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm and is filed under Fitness Shop Reviews, Yoga Fitness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.