Great review. Spot on (except for Manduka Pro which I hear from dozens is like a skating rink). It seems like one has to compromise. I need great grip, the ability to slide into poses, stability (I'm 64), and good cushioning (but not more than 5" thick or I trip). I like one-color mats, no design. I use the Jade Harmony. Wonderful grip but not a ton of slide and not exactly what I would call joint-friendly (I roll over the sides). It comes the closest to the best mat for me. Been using it for years. But I always wonder if there is something better out there...Not yet. A mat I thought had potential was the B Yoga Strong Mat (6" thick) which has great grip but almost no ability to slide through. It's very comfortable on the knees. But due to the height, I broke my toe as I tripped moving my leg to the front of the mat. I have heard awful things about the Manduka Pro re: grip and I don't want to use a towel nor go through the salting process (why can't they send it out "seasoned?"). Liforme was too thin. Haven't tried the EkO (heard Jade was better), nor Kosha. I guess I'm sticking with Jade unless you say give x a shot...I practice Hatha and Iyengar. Intermediate student. Look forward to more wisdom. TY!
I tried the BYoga Mat recently and it is indeed a good mat. The grip is really good but no ability to slide through as you said yourself. Manduka Pro gets a lot of mixed reviews. I like the Manduka Eko more than the Manduka Pro. My personal favorite out of all of them is Manduka Eko. The only thing is that Jade offers more varieties in terms of the thickness and the length and breadth. But if you don't want a mat that is more than 6'' I would say go for Manduka Eko , there is no break in time and it's 5'' thickness . The grip is good, no need of a towel and at the same time you hands and feet won't feel stuck onto it. It would be a good mat for both Hatha and Iyenger. I like the Manduka Eko as much as I like the Jade( only because my jade mat is thicker-7'' and wider than Manduka). If I were to compare a normal Jade Harmony under 5'' with Manduka Eko - I'd pick the Eko anyday. Hope this helps you!
@@FitNCalm that was really kind of you to write back. I've often thought about the Eko. I am so attached to the grip on the Jade, I've been afraid to try anything else! But I want some give (up dog on the Jade is unpleasant). Jade changed my practice for the better, in so many ways. I feel safe, for once, as I'm prone to injury (at 64 years young, my shoulders, neck and hamstrings have seen too many). Amazing how feeling safe makes me calmer, more focused, and able to enjoy class. Ok, you sold me. I'll give the Eko a shot. If it beats my Jade, I'll eat my hat (P.S. I have always wondered if I needed a wider mat from the standard Jade, which is a tad narrow and was curious if my shoulders would appreciate a bit more breathing room but it might throw me off. Not quite sure how to figure out if one is needed. Maybe it would help relieve shoulder pressure with arms spread further apart or it might make it harder on my shoulders. I am thinking, specifically, of going from plank to up dog, even down dog, though maybe the hands/shoulders tighter is better. Argghhh. Clues? You've been so generous with your thoughts. Totally appreciate what you have given me. If I'm asking too much, totally understand. But you're the first person I think really nails mats! Many, many thanks!
Oh I'm more than happy to reply if it helps :) You don't have to be worried about the grip of Eko, it is as good as Jade's . Even though both stand at 5mm, somehow I prefer Eko's Cushioning more. Eko is also the same width as jade though , so won't help much with the width. What you can also do is get the Harmony XW mat. The XW mat is 28'' width 80'' length . It is longer and wider with the same cushioning as your mat. ( Leaving the link for you : jadeyoga.com/products/harmony-mat-xw ) As for transitioning between Plank, Upward Facing Dog and Downward Facing Dog. If it's too much pressure on the shoulders, go a bit easy with the transitions. A pose need not be how everyone says it should be, it should be what is best for your body and no one other than you can take a call on that. Here are a few options you can try out, see how they feel for you: 1. Updog Options : - Replace with bhujang asana. (with elbows bent and awareness on an active back line , with firm glutes) - Replace with body on the floor - knees and pelvis can be on the floor ( you can also take a wider stance with hands wider and in front of you as per your comfort ) 2. Downward Dog : For Downward facing dog I would rather suggest a shorter stance once you come into the pose from plank . Take a step or two forward to have a shorter downward dog. Push the mat away with the hands. Don't take the shoulders away from the ears though . Shoulder Blades should move up your back if you are to support healthy mechanism of your shoulder joint. ( It would be easier to show you in a live class but these are the best clues I can give here.If you have any doubts though I'd be happy to answer) And take sufficient time for the transitions but make sure your body feels at ease with them. -Khush
@@FitNCalm thank you so much! Seriously, very grateful. Great ideas. I think I would benefit from a manual adjustment session with someone in NYC. It’s been years (since the start of the pandemic), since I’ve been to a studio. I take online classes with Rodney Yee and and Colleen Saidman. They are awesome but there’s nothing like being in the presence of an expert human who can observe, adjust, guide. Again, many thanks for your wisdom…
You are most welcome 🙏 I hope you can find a good teacher who can help you. And do hope you are enjoying your current classes. If you ever need , you can also send out a message to us for online classes. and whichever mat you get let me know how it was for you. Love Khush
We haven't done a 1 hour full body yoga session in a while. Let's do that. You want a combo of asanas, breathing , relaxation - about moderate intensity or more asana focused?
@@FitNCalm 45-1 hr yoga mixed with meditation,I was also wondering if you will be doing any 30 days,and pre and postnatal in the future please,sorry to ask so much,but you guys are sooo good
That sounds like a really great idea. Will definitely do the 45min-1hr practice. And we will be doing more series in the future too :) We are currently working on a prenatal program . We will be launching it soon.We haven't made the post natal yet but we do want to get to that too soon. I'm so glad that you like our content so much and for letting us know too.
Please remove Kosha from this list. I had to throw one recently coz it developed cracks on the rubber. Looks like they have intentionally disabled google reviews also. I am not able to review it on Google also.
