JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat - Durable & Thick Gym Fitness Mat, Non-Slip Natural Rubber Yoga Mat - Home Exercise & Stretching Mat, Workout Mat - Yoga, Pilates & Meditation for Women & Men

I am in love with my new mat! Service was speedy, and my mat is everything I expected it to be! The color is true to the picture shown (I bought the raspberry colored mat) which I was concerned about at first. It's amazing! There is definitely a smell to it so it will need some airing out, but that is expected. UPDATE : This mat is still everything I dreamed it would be! I figured now that I have practiced on it I would give it some pros and cons. PROS: The grip is phenomenal! This mat has definitely allowed me to take my head and handstands to a new level. The 68" length is perfect for my 5'5" frame. My head and feet do not touch the floor when I am stretched out for savasana. The cushion on the mat is pretty minimal, and perfect for balance poses. It is not too hard on my knees either because of the slight spring it provides since it is rubber. The mat rolls out nicely for each practice and I don't have to roll it under like my old cheap walmart mat just to make it lay flat. So far there is no wear on the mat, and I bought my mat about 5 months ago (I practice vinyasa and hatha yoga for an hour each practice 4-5 days a week). CONS: The grip on the mat is definitely something to get used to. Starting out, I had to completely rethink how to move my feet from warrior one to warrior two. What was once a simple sliding movement turned into lifting and placing of my foot. I have figured out how to get back to the sliding movement I did before, but it was definitely a transition. Also, because of the good grip, anything and everything likes to stick to this mat. Lint, hair, whatever is on the floor of your studio, your mat now has. So lint rollers are definitely nice to have on occasion. And lastly, the smell! I was warned ahead of time that the mat would smell like a goodyear tire, but I didn't realize how long it would last (it does fade a lot though!). Even after 5 months of use it still has a faint rubber smell. I am probably at fault for it still smelling like that though, because I keep it in a bag all the time. So word of advice: when you get it, wash it and let it air out unrolled for a few weeks if you really want the smell gone for good. I'm talking about even after each practice, let it air out! A spritz of essential oils mixed with water is also a good idea.

I started out borrowing my teacher's mats which were generic spongy things probably from yogadirect.com. Not realizing there was a difference in mat quality when I went to buy my first mat I bought something that LOOKED exactly like my teacher's mats and was very slippery slidey. I never could get into downdog without feeling frustrated. Somewhere along the line someone told me about rinsing a new mat to get the slick stuff off of it. That didn't work. I was half way through yoga teacher training when I knew I needed a better mat. Viola! Enter the Jade Harmony professional mat! At 3/16th of an inch it is a little thicker than the super cheap mats in discount stores. It is the same thickness as your average $20 mat, but feels so much more dense. You won't need that extra padding for your knees with this mat. It is also wonderfully tacky for downward facing dog, forearm balance or arm balances. I love love love this mat. Whenever I let a student borrow it they are equally impressed. Even if you are just starting out in yoga, a good mat, good gear in general, will help you. If you have time to wait sometimes this mat goes on sale: I found mine for $40. I have tried a hundred dollar mat by lululemon which was awesome. For the price though, this one is a better value: Jade sells it consistently in the $60 range. IF you do yoga daily, you'll wear through a $20 mat once or twice a year, and never be as satisfied as buying this one, once. Plus, consider the money you will save by NOT having to buy a blanket or towel for padding. Some reviewers complained about the smell. That never bothered me. It's the smell of natural rubber. It will smell more if the mat gets hot, so don't leave it in the car. And you probably wouldn't like it for Hot Yoga/Bikram style. The bigger thing to be aware of is the latex. IF you are allergic to latex this is NOT the mat for you. I'm 5'4" and I am quite content with the shorter length mat. If you are over 6 feet I suggest the 74" length.

So I do yoga 4 to 5 times per week with two classes being Vinyasa. This mat is amazing! It's thinner and lighter than the monstrous Prana Revolution or Manduka (fraking 9 pounds!). I'll sum up some of the pros in an easy to read list: Pros: -I carry the mat in a Prana mat bag with shoulder strap on a motorcycle, stays nicely rolled, doesn't fold in half -Weight is nice, not too light, just right, easy to carry on bike or moto -Construction is solid -Great grip, even when wet -Easy to clean -Great variety of colors -Good thickness, not thick like a fitness or pilates mat, thinner than Manduka -Eco-friendly construction and biodegradable -Solid, seamless grip, not open weave style Cons: -Gets slick if not cleaned often and properly (I clean once a week, or four uses on average; I still spray and wipe lightly after each use) -Smells when first used... goes away after awhile -Will absorb insane amounts of water, clean with spray bottle and soft cloth, air dry -Not as durable as Manduka So expect to replace these mats every now and then, but that's the price to pay for this quality. Every mat wears out eventually, like running shoes. But at the price for this compared to Prana or Manduka, it's a steal! ----------- Update: It's a couple of months in and I can't be happier. Even my instructor expressed admiration at my selection (though she has a Manduka - she doesn't have to lug it though!) Oh and I did purchase the longer mat. I don't know if it makes a difference to durability but I am a 5'11" guy about 155 lbs; my partner bought hers the same time and is much, much tinier than me (she's a lady so I won't give out her stats!); our mats are both in great shape, neither shows much wear. And we often jump from forward fold to plank or from downward dog to forward fold, so we definitely abuse them a bit. ------------- Updated 10/5/2011 Still using the mat 4 to 6 times per week and it is holding up well. There is a little wear where my feet normally go for downward dog (I think it gets more wear when I roll over my feet coming out of up dog). But once it wears a little more I plan on flipping the mat since you can use either side. Amazing durability. And I stress again... give it a couple of weeks to get properly broken in. And I also do not clean it with anything fancy. Usually I just roll it across two bar stools to air dry at home (sometimes pointing a fan at it). Or I do a once a week wipe down with the standard gym solution they have at the club. It hasn't caused any issues so far. (In nearly a year).

I wanted to take my time to find a natural mat that was not going to be made of Polyvinyl Chloride. I am aware of how natural rubber can smell, so I made sure to leave this in my laundry room for about four days to calm itself down. It was pretty potent, but around day five it lessened, and I was able to use it without the smell. I am really happy with this yoga mat. First, I absolutely love the color. It feels bright and motivating every time I roll it out. The grip is fantastic, and I no longer slide during poses, which was a major issue with all of my other mats. That alone makes it a huge upgrade for me. At first, it felt a little too sticky, but I am hopeful that will soften with use. I know yoga mats always take time to adjust, and my last mat stayed with me for about eight years, so I am not worried. Overall, it is comfortable, supportive, and makes my practice much more enjoyable. I highly recommend this mat if you have struggled with slipping mats before. This one definitely delivers.

I adore this mat. I have a somewhat rigorous hot yoga practice, and I use the mat 5-6 times a week. I used to place those pricey yogitoes towels over my mats, and then spray liberally (to make the towel stick), so that I wouldn't slip and slide during practice, but with this mat, I don't even use the towel except maybe for core work where it just feels more "comfy" to have a towel underneath my back. I simply do not slip with this mat. If I'm dumping a ton of sweat in one particular area, it might get a little slippery, but otherwise, for a regular sweaty practice, this mat is wonderful. I've worn out my current mat, so I'm here to buy another one. In terms of weight (I lug mine all around the city by foot), color choices and sheer comfort, this is the best mat out there in my opinion. As for cons, yes, the mat will wear out. With my practice, I've started noticing some wearing at around 7-8 months. Basically, the rubber on the mat is breaking down right around the base of my mat where I typicaly stand. I wish that the mat would last at least a year for economic purposes, but I'm okay with it breaking down in general. There's something weird about a mat that doesn't break down with rigorous use - kind of like food that doesn't expire. I like to think of the break down of the mat as a sign of my use - and money's worth - of the mat. And honestly, I need a change in mat color every so often. I don't want to keep my green mat forever. Now I want purple. And maybe next time I'll get red. I like the change. I've looked in the Mandukas that last forever, and the appeal just isn't there for me. The sheer weight of the Manduka is ridiculous for someone who walks a mile or two to class nearly everyday like I do. As for the rubber smell, it doesn't bother me. After a couple of weeks, the smell faded, and now I just don't notice anything at all. I mean, maybe if I stick my nose in the mat and take a deep inhale and really think about it I'll get a rubber smell, but what do you expect from something that is made of rubber? As a word of warning, this mat is sticky enough that you'll feel the stickiness even lying down in savasana. I would suggest bringing a towel or putting on a sweatshirt or placing a blanket on the mat if you just want to lay there all comfy like. Also, because of the stickiness, you can't just slide the mat in and out of a yoga bag, you have to place it inside of a side zip bag (or use a strap).

After reading reviews, i decided to buy Jade Harmony yoga mat. I sweat much and my palms and feet get very sweaty doing yoga. So i was looking for a mat that has good grip and is anti slip. I tried other mats which were less expensive but nothing served the purpose. I then found Jade yoga mat. Its description says it has "great grip-open cell natural rubber provides optimum grip". ".... is well known for offering terrific slip-resistance. As a result, you no longer have to worry about slipping on your practice mat--even if it gets wet with perspiration". Wow, seemed apt. So even though it was a pinch in the pocket, I thought it should be a good investment after all. Doing yoga in comfort is what is the priority with out having to worry about losing the balance due to slippery mats. Well, the description is absolutely NOT what the mat actually is! The surface of the mat is quite sticky and the back of the mat has a good grip to the floor. I was happy thinking may be atlast i found my mat. But alas, that joy lasted only a few minutes in to the practices. I did the downward dog posture and i slipped right through! My feet and palms kept slipping and did not have any grip. What i noticed was the mat is sticky as long as it is dry. Once the surface comes in contact with the sweat, it get very slippery. Such a disappointment! So i thought, like some mats, may be this needs some kind of conditioning for a few days. I contacted the seller with my issue and asked if i the mat gets better with the use or if anything should be done to improve its grip. The seller replied with this : "Unfortunately I have no further information regarding the yoga mat. I have attached a return label for you to send it back to us and once we receive it we will process your refund." Really? Thats the response! Selling mats with no awareness of how its supposed to perform? Ofcourse i am definitely returning the product. The mat may be useful for those who dont sweat much. But for those like me with sweaty palms and feet, this mat is a definite No No.

This is my second Jade mat. I use it for heated and non heated classes. The mat is perfect for both. After you clean it a few times, the rubber smell subsides. If you do not want a recycled rubber mat then don't order it and complain. My only suggestion is that you consider ordering the lengthier mat - I am 5'5. My previous Jade mat was longer and I thought I would be fine with the shorter mat. I do wish I had not been so focused on the mat color and more focused on the mat length. However, I have no intention of returning it. It is lightweight, textured, and grippy. I have a Manduka - which is fine. I have practiced on several other mats that have marks for foot placements and are smooth to the touch. These mats are pretty. But I do not think they are a good choice for a serious practice.

This is one of two high-quality yoga mats that people seem to recommend both here and on other sites. I initially purchased the other one after learning that it was very durable and guaranteed for life, but found it to be quite slippery. That has not been a problem with the Jade Harmony Professional yoga mat. The surface of this mat almost reminds me of a cat's tongue. It feels somewhat rough, especially if you drag a bare elbow or knee across it, but it has excellent grip right from the start. The grip can make sliding transitions from one pose to another more difficult to execute smoothly, but I really do not mind this because of the confidence that I have in Downward Dog, where I feel rock solid with no slipping. I'm six feet tall, and opted for the 74-inch version which gives me plenty of room from head to toe when lying on the mat. I also love the midnight blue color. The rough surface is also more difficult to clean, which you'll need to do more frequently because of its stickiness. The natural rubber also does a fine job of holding a static charge, which makes it prone to attracting whatever is loose on the floor. The mat has a very strong rubber smell, which I'm told goes away over time. It's also not good to leave the mat in direct sunlight, because that can cause the natural rubber to break down. This mat does not come with a lifetime guarantee like the other mat that I purchased, so if I stick with it I will need to plan on buying a new one after a year or two. This mat strikes a good balance between thickness, weight, and portability. It seems like it will be a good mat for use both at home, and when I head to a class. While definitely not as cushy as the other mat that I tried, I'm perfectly happy with it so far. It's definitely a big improvement over the yoga mats that you'll find at a typical big-box store. I may keep the other mat that I bought to give it more time to break in, but based on my initial reaction I can already tell that this one will probably be my favorite. I also think it's great that the manufacturer plants a tree for every mat they sell. We need more of those :)