Pranamat ECO - Natural Linen & Violet Lotuses

I am giving this mat 5 stars, even though at $99 dollars (down from the usual $129and I DID see it in a catalog for $129), I think it's kind of pricey. It has free shipping from Amazon though, so that's good.

The reason this mat rates 5 stars from me is that it actually, really and truly, works! Be VERY careful, especially when you first begin to use it because the leaves of the accupressure lotuses (flowers) are so sharp, they can easily cut you! But, one becomes accustomed to this and it is well-worth doing so. You just lay on the mat (it can be on a bed, on the floor, the couch, etc.) and do whatever you want. It is entirely effortless!

I guess if one were to listen to relaxing music or something that would enhance the effects of the mat, but I've never done that and I'm perfectly happy with the results I have seen. I feel like if I had to listen to a certain MP3 or CD or whatever, that would feel like a chore and detract from the delightful effortlessness of the whole thing!

So, here's what the Pranamat does for me: If I am feeling at all stressed, it relaxes muscle tension and calms my mind. On more than one occasion, I have gone from being really stressed out to sound asleep, so be aware of this if you use it in the day and you have to do something at an appointed time!

I use it primarily at night. I sleep on the darn thing! I used to have to put a blanket on top of it, and would suggest that anyone new to using it do AT LEAST that (the first month, my legs looked like I had lost a battle with a kitten), but as other reviewers have said, you actually do get used to the sharpness of the lotus leaves.

One more thing about the price: I do have to say, the makers of this product cut no corners. The embroidery is excellent and obviously done with great care, the quality of the plastic lotuses (medical grade plastic) is high, the fabrics chosen are top notch. Now, of course you don't NEED beautiful embroidery, etc., for this to be an invaluable stress-reducer, but that's how they decided to make it, so I can see why the price is what it is.

All in all, this is the first stress-relieving product that I continue to use almost every day, month after month, because (other than the first few cuts!!which I could have avoided by getting onto and off of it more carefully) it is just a great pleasure to use! It feels GOOD to lie on it (not nude, not yet anyway, as others suggest, ouch!), even before the relaxation effect kicks in.

In a younger body and previous times, I'd regularly make summer trips to Action Park in New Jersey. Which had activities such as rope swing, bungee jumping, slingshot (like reverse bungee jump shot up into sky), steep steep water slides, and the awesome alpine slide which went down their (in the wintertime-)ski mountain slope plastic, winding, half-tubes upon which sat your sled upon which sat you. Holding just one lever push down to go, pull up to slow. And glide the sharp curves down the mountain. Well half the persons walking around the park were scarred from slipping on the alpine slide and burning their flesh on contact with the plastic tube; the rope swing was really dangerous you could flip and do whatever you wanted. Of course, they were sued and shut down and reopened with new names and less fun rides. Anyway, this mat is anything but chaotic and crazy, but it really works, and it's really enjoyable. The first couple of minutes on it, it feels quite uncomfortable, but stick with it. That totally goes away in just 2-3 maybe 4 minutes. Then it has had the following various effects on my body/mind: I've fallen asleep-in the daytime-which otherwise never happens. I've fallen into a meditative state. And I've used it to kill pain in localized areas such as lower back, upper back, and neck. The guidebook that comes with it is short, simple, and perfect. And it does mention, don't just slide off this mat, or you may scrape your skin on the sharp lotus points. Muggles would never get past the first few minutes of discomfort or believe in its potential enough to even get on it in the first place. But for the rest of us, this is gold. I mean, for me, a yoga class is the best, but it's nice to have this as a backup and for extra treatment. Essential for people unable or momentarily unwilling to be active. Finally, I'm glad I dropped the extra dollars on this one instead of the one "recommnded on the dr oz show" that I first came across. It really is beautiful, and for those in tune (and those not), emits a holy energy.

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