yoga mats: manduka vs. harmony

B

bostonwendy

Cathlete
I've had a bunch of crappy mats over the years and want to invest in a good one. Narrowed it down to manduka prolite or jade harmony 3/16". What do ya'll say?

And of course if you have the best mat ever and it's not one of the above mentioned, by all means let me know!

Wendy
 
one to check out

Hi,
just this morning I was browsing through a free mag we get at the library where I work (Whole Life Times), and I took note of a yoga mat advertised. I don't own any yoga mats yet myself but will probably get one in the near future. Anyhow, this is the one I saw: www.jadeyoga.com

Nature's Best Yoga Mat. Jade mats are made in the USA with natural rubber for fantastic grip and maximum comfort, are PVC free and JadeYoga plants a tree for every mat sold...

Tanya
 
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I have 2 Harmony mats (3/16" and the travel), and I love them. They have wonderful traction, and the cushion is pretty nice too ~ even in the travel mat. I'm so spoiled by these two features, I refuse to pull out my plastic $20 mat anymore, even for a quick 10 minutes.

The mat will have a strong rubber smell for a few weeks, but that fades. The thicker mat is heavier than a typical yoga mat, so you'll notice the weight difference immediately. If the weight bugs you, the thinner travel mat is a good choice.

Also, because of its composition, I discovered it doesn't slide in and out of a yoga mat bag too easily. :) Well, my yoga bags anyway (I made my own out of cotton fabric). I solved that by buying an inexpensive yoga mat strap at Target.

It shows dirt a little easier than the less porous plastic mat. I wash mine with antibacterial wipes, but I have yet to dunk it in the tub. I believe it comes with washing instructions. One guy at Yoga Journal says he takes his into the shower with him.

I've had my older one for 2.5 years, and the travel for a year. I don't haul them back and forth to class anymore, but both stood up to class time up until roughly 8 months ago when I stopped practicing outside the home.

Yoga Site has decent prices:

http://www.yogasite.com/yoga_store/ym.html

I have heard some complaints about loss of traction by those who sweat profusely during practice. I haven't had this problem, but I 1) keep a big towel handy and 2) don't drip sweat when I practice.

:)
 
how heavy is the harmony?

LaughingWater said:
I have 2 Harmony mats (3/16" and the travel), and I love them. They have wonderful traction, and the cushion is pretty nice too ~ even in the travel mat. I'm so spoiled by these two features, I refuse to pull out my plastic $20 mat anymore, even for a quick 10 minutes.

The mat will have a strong rubber smell for a few weeks, but that fades. The thicker mat is heavier than a typical yoga mat, so you'll notice the weight difference immediately. If the weight bugs you, the thinner travel mat is a good choice.

Also, because of its composition, I discovered it doesn't slide in and out of a yoga mat bag too easily. :) Well, my yoga bags anyway (I made my own out of cotton fabric). I solved that by buying an inexpensive yoga mat strap at Target.

It shows dirt a little easier than the less porous plastic mat. I wash mine with antibacterial wipes, but I have yet to dunk it in the tub. I believe it comes with washing instructions. One guy at Yoga Journal says he takes his into the shower with him.

I've had my older one for 2.5 years, and the travel for a year. I don't haul them back and forth to class anymore, but both stood up to class time up until roughly 8 months ago when I stopped practicing outside the home.

Yoga Site has decent prices:

http://www.yogasite.com/yoga_store/ym.html

I have heard some complaints about loss of traction by those who sweat profusely during practice. I haven't had this problem, but I 1) keep a big towel handy and 2) don't drip sweat when I practice.

:)
Click to expand...

Hi Lori - Do you know (or can you guess) how heavy your harmony 3/16" is? The manduka mats are said to be about 7lbs. I still haven't made up my mind lol.

Thanks,
Wendy
 
Wendy, I weighed both on my digital scale this morning. :D

The 3/16" is 5 lbs. The travel, on the other hand, didn't register at all.
 
Hi,

I have the thick Harmony mat. I've had it over a year and a half. I've slept on it for months in Thailand for additional cushion. I've rubbed it down with antibacterial wipes and alcohol wipes, and washed it in a tub full of water. It takes days to dry though. It does get slippery wet or dry, especially if you do power heated yoga. I use a towel or yogitoes skidless towel/mat on top of it when I sweat. I prefer to use my yogitoes skidless towel/mat on my living room carpet. I've seen and like the Manduka mats better. The Manduka mats have a good stick. My Harmony mat still smells like rubber.

Wendy
 
Thanks!

Thanks Lori and Wendy! I really appreciate your thoughts (and weighing the mats!). This is a pricy investment and I'm trying to make the best decision for myself.

Wendy
 
I also have the Jade Harmony and love it. You will be so surprised at how much better your practice will be when you are not slipping during downward dog!! I also have the Yogitoes slip free towel for when things get really sweaty!! love, Love, Love my Jade mat!!! P.S. Going to use it right now!!
 
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