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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
    
| Wow - I just got my black mat and I am very impressed with the feel of it. Right from the start it has awesome grip and terrific cushioning without being "mushy." Definitely too heavy to pack around and not useful for some of the Iyengary things like folding up on a chair for back bends etc., but I think I will really love it when the floors are so cold in the winter.  |
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| Is that the Manduka?
If so, it is very nice indeed. I love mine, but no good for the average Iyengar class
Jonathon
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| Not brand named, but definitely the same one. Ordered from Germany. I need to get on it - we have been ballroom dancing today including a demo in a mall. Concrete floors are tough on the feet and legs!  |
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| Hey, Jonathan.
I know you've recommended mandukah mat before.
But I'm wondering if you know 71" PurpleLite Travel Mat™ is easier to carry around?
Any idea?
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| tabula_rasa - 2007-09-03 3:32 AM
Hey, Jonathan.
I know you've recommended mandukah mat before.
But I'm wondering if you know 71" PurpleLite Travel Mat™ is easier to carry around?
Any idea?
Hi Tabula,
I actually bought one for my wife the same time that I bought the manduka for myself. She never used it, so I quite often take it with me when I travel for work.
It is smaller and lighter though still quite thick, so still not ideal for Iyengar
Jonathon
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| I'd prefer a mat with some color and vibration, as I'm sure is obvious from some previous chats here on the board. Of course as with all things yoga, if it works for you then keep on keepin' on. |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| purna - yes, the mat is a bit "absorbing" especially in my basement studio. Nevertheless, I think I will enjoy using it. |
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| I've got a manduka, they're wonderful! I love the solidity of it, and bring it to every class. It's a bit heavy, but I got a mat bag which fixes that problem. |
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| it's so funny--i can't stand the manduka mat.  i've had the opportunity to use them, and someone even gave me one as a gift (huge! ), but i had to give it away because i just can't stand to use it. LOL
i guess i just like austerity. HA! |
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| I think the manduka is very auster. It's simple, heavy duty, and works. I've had mine for 4 years now, and it's not even close to showing signs of wear. Contrast that with the first "sticky" mat I had, which started to flake and fall apart in a matter of months. When you compare the replacement costs of sticky mats, $30 every few months, to the manduka, $75, once, it's also much less expensive. |
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| sounds like where my sticky mat is currently. |
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| I'm glad you are happy with your yoga mat.
Every once and while I do my practice on a huge wrestling mat.
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| GreenJello - 2007-09-03 5:31 AM
I think the manduka is very auster. It's simple, heavy duty, and works. I've had mine for 4 years now, and it's not even close to showing signs of wear. Contrast that with the first "sticky" mat I had, which started to flake and fall apart in a matter of months. When you compare the replacement costs of sticky mats, $30 every few months, to the manduka, $75, once, it's also much less expensive.
Do you mean that this mat won't show scars from where I roll my toe nails during surya namaskar? |
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| *Looks at grasshopper's feet*
Good lord, are you sure that shade of purple is in this season? The silver spangles are kinda cute though.
 
Fee |
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| GJ:
i think the mat is too 'cushy' for my tastes. i just dont' like that much cushion when i practice, unless i'm using specific props for that. my favorite is to practice straight on hardwood floors. though, i do like cork floors also. my floors (laminate) are a bit too 'smooth' which can make grip difficult without a mat. i love the look of my floors, but i 'need' a mat to keep from sticking.
i use the very thin german mat, and i'm testing out the very thin jade harmony. these seem to give me what i like.
i also like a very firm mattress--or sleeping on the floor.
so, i like 'hard" stuff or "firm" stuff--which is what i mean by 'austere.'
and, my mats tend to last years and years. i have one of my german ones that hardly looks used and it's 3-4 years old. |
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| grasshopper - 2007-09-04 3:42 PM
Do you mean that this mat won't show scars from where I roll my toe nails during surya namaskar?
I've yet to make a serious scar on mine. There are some places that are starting to look a bit worn, but nothing that's actually cut. Even the worn places are really more a matter of an accumulation of skin cells, rather than any real wear and tear. They always come up when I wash it, leaving the whole thing looking shiny and new. About the only thing that's changed is that I lost the little tag that says "Manduka" at some point. It's literally the last yoga mat you'll ever buy.
Edited by GreenJello 2007-09-05 8:52 AM
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| We usually use the thin (2mm) German mats and that is what I prefer as far as cushion goes. I find this black one is not too cushiony at all, which is one of the reasons I like it. But it "gives" enough so my foot bones don't feel like they will pierce the skin in supta virasana  |
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| Hi Tourist,
could you tell me please how did you order your mat from Germany? I would like to get one too, and I am living far away from Germany. Thank you. Beena |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| beena - many yoga suppliers offer a black mat, sometimes called Manduka. I see yoga.com has one called the Mandara, but it is not the same. I ordered from http://www.yogamatsandmore.com, and they were very good, but don't accept credit cards, which made it a little cumbersome. I have ordered in the past from Yogamatters in the UK and I think Tools for Yoga in the US ships internationally (not 100% sure, though). Amazon and ebay also have this mat. Hope one of those is helpful to you |
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| I had a Manduka but didn't like it at all - too slippery when you start to sweat. I purchased a Jade Harmony about a year ago and wouldn't go back to any other type of mat - it is thinner (which I like) and has far more grip than the Manduka that I had. I guess it boils down to personal preferences...
dwd |
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The black mat
