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Posted by: Melissa L // April 22 2010
A little less than a year ago I went to the Maya Tulum Resort for a yoga retreat and while I was there, I discovered the Manduka Black Mat Pro. It was LOVE at first practice! Seriously, where have you been all my life?? I had seen other serious yogi’s with Manduka mats, but I had no idea what I was missing. Those other mats were mats, the Manduka Black Mat Pro is my MAGIC CARPET. Amazing lift off and superior float. In all seriousness, it is in a league of it’s own. With its denser, thicker form, unparalleled comfort and cushioning, superior non-slip fabric finish, and simple, elegant design the Black Mat® PRO will revolutionize your practice.
According to the Manduka website, the company is committed to environmentally friendly practices and products. The Black Mat is a zero-waste, sustainable yoga mat that is Oeko-Tex-certified and produced using an emissions-free manufacturing process. While the mat is not completely environmentally friendly, it will last for a very long time preventing you from having to buy a new mat every 6-8 months, as I had previously been doing with certain “eco-friendly” mats.
Best of all, it comes with a Lifetime Guarantee and a mat recycling program that includes a mat-sized shipping bag and a prepaid UPS shipping label addressed to Recycle Your Mat, an organization dedicated to finding an end use for yoga mats. This kit provides you with an easy way to recycle your old mat so that it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
The mat is heavy (7 lbs) in comparison to other mats I’ve owned, but I don’t really see this as a problem. I carry it back and forth to class without any issues. It’s sticky, but not “too sticky”. I’ve had mine since last September and it still looks brand new. It stands up to daily rigorous Ashtanga and Ashtanga-based vinyasa practices.
With it’s closed cell-construction (it doesn’t absorb sweat) it can be a bit slippery during hot yoga practices. However, because it doesn’t absorb sweat (bacteria), it’s easy to clean and sanitize. I use the Vermont Soap Mat Cleaner every day after my practice. If you practice Bikram or any hot yoga, I suggest purchasing a YogiToes Skidless Mat-sized Towel to absorb perspiration while you practice.
It helps me feel connected to the floor, feels solid under my hands and feet and doesn’t get bunched up or slide on hard surfaces. Overall I give the Maduka Mat Pro an A++. It’s not the cheapest mat available ($90 on the Manduka website and $80 from Amazon.com) but it is definitely worth the price considering that it will be the last yoga mat you’ll every have to buy.
When you want the very best yoga mat, the mat chosen first by yoga teachers throughout the world, there really is only one choice -- the Manduka Black Mat® PRO, for your practice and our planet.
Namaste’
