Manduka PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat

by Manduka

• Yoga mat designed for superior wear and longevity
• Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees and elbows on hard floors
• Slip resistant, yet non-sticky, even when wet from perspiration; provides stability on hard or soft surfaces
• Certified emissions-free manufacturing
• Weighs 8.5 pounds; 85 by 26 by 1/4 Inch (L x W x D)

Product Description

Amazon.com

The legendary Black Mat PRO (formerly known as the Black Mat) is celebrating 12 years as one of the world's finest yoga mat. There's a reason the Black Mat PRO inspires such passion in its users; with its denser, thicker form, unparalleled comfort and cushioning, superior non-slip fabric-like finish, and simple, elegant design, the Black Mat PRO will revolutionize your practice. And best of all, it now comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. The Manduka Black Mat PRO is chosen first by yoga teachers throughout the world, and by yogis of every experience level who value not only their individual practice but also their surrounding world.

The proprietary dot-pattern bottom on the bottom of the BlackMatPRO resists sliding and is engineered for long-lasting use with high quality materials that won't peel, flake, or fade. The fabric-like surface finish offers superior slip-resistance, even with light perspiration. This longevity and Manduka's Lifetime Guarantee reduces consumption and landfill waste by guarding against wear and tear.

Features & Specifications:

• Zero-waste in manufacturing; Oeko-Tex certified, emissions-free manufacturing
• Backed by a Lifetime Guarantee
• Superior wear and longevity
• Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors
• Slip resistant, yet non-sticky, even when wet from light perspiration
• Provides stability on hard or soft surfaces
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Dimensions: 26 by 71 by 1/4 inches (W x L x D)

To Clean:
We recommend using Manduka Mat Renew or any non-solvent household cleaner and a damp cloth or sponge. Hang to dry in the sunshine. Do not put your mat in the washing machine- it may break the machine and ruin your mat.

To Store:
Roll your Black Mat PRO with the top side (fabric-finish) facing outwards. This keeps the corners of the mat flat when practicing.

To Break In:
The surface texture of the Black Mat PRO improves with use. Our customers have found that the best way to break in their mat is to use it on a daily basis. Another trick is to sprinkle coarse sea salt over your mat, scrub it down with a sponge, and air dry in the sunshine.

Manduka's Green Mission
Manduka PRO series yoga mats, designed to last a lifetime (or two), curb the amount of PVC mats that enter landfills every year and reduces overall mat consumption. Also, during the manufacturing of most PVC products, toxic emissions may be released into the air. However, PRO series mats are manufactured through a process that ensures no toxic emissions are released into the atmosphere. The Black Mat PRO is certified safe for human contact by OEKO-TEX, an environmental certification agency in Europe for the textile industry.

Product Description

With its denser, thicker form, unparalleled comfort and cushioning, superior non-slip fabric finish, and simple, elegant design, the Manduka® Black Mat® PRO will revolutionize your practice. It comfortably cushions your spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors, while providing stability on hard or soft surfaces. It is slip resistant, yet non-sticky, even when wet from light perspiration.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 27 x 5 x 5 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00C5C1F7S
• Item model number: BM85-PARENT
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (458 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #8 in Sports & Outdoors > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga > Yoga
  • #13 in Sports & Outdoors > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga > Mats

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

584 of 600 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Sides to All Yoga Mats; Know Which Side is Up January 31, 2005

By L. Hawkins VINE™ VOICE

Color Name:Black|Size Name:71-Inch

Yoga mats come in three basic thicknesses. At 1/4" this one tops even the thickest sticky mats. Roughly the thickness of two average mats together, this one will help cushion all those boney parts and not bunch up the way two mats together always seem to do. It's not only thicker, it's denser to boot. It's cushion without mushiness. However, this cushion comes at the price of being quite heavy -- more heavy than four average mats combined! Probably not the best choice for a mat you tote around unless you want to get in some extra strength training. This one is the kind you buy, find a place for, and leave it there. Also note that the roll this yoga mat makes is huge, something to consider if between practice storage space is an issue. The "thick" mats at 3/16" will still provide extra cushion without the hassle but if you've tried them and they're still not enough, this might be the way to go. Mats that are about one third as thick as this one (1/16") are good for travel or placing under a thicker mat to provide more traction. The average mats are about 1/8." This mat is also two inches wider than the average mat, 24" is the standard width, and three inches longer than average -- 68" is the standard length.

There are two sides to this and nearly all yoga mats. Look carefully at the 'bumps' on each side of the mat. On most mats, the larger bumps are designed to face upwards to cushion your hands, feet, and knees during poses while keeping your body from dangerously slipping out of alignment. The smaller bumps are designed to face downwards to grip the floor and keep the yoga mat from sliding. With this mat it's slightly different. Manduka's mats have a unique dotted bottom surface that holds the mat in place during your practice. It looks unlike any other mat you've ever seen. This mat also has a brand label on one end. Just like on most but not all mats with a label, it is located on the 'up' side.

You will need to wash this mat once before using it the first time to remove the coating. Instructions for this are included with the mat. This yoga mat will increase in stickiness with use. (So do most mats.) They start out mildly sticky and increase in stickiness the more they are used. If you find yours decreasing in stickiness each time you pull it out, this is the typical sign that a light coating of dust or too much body sweat has accumulated on your mat and it needs a light hand washing with very diluted soap and water. After washing, dry your mat unrolled, inside, and away from sunlight. (Hanging over the shower bar works nicely.)

When you first unroll your mat you will find one end to be a bit curled. Simply alternate the direction you roll your mat (top outside once, then bottom outside next) or the end you start from (curled end once, flat end next time) and you'll find it straightening out more or less over time.

I recommend buying your own yoga mat even if your yoga studio or gym provides them for you. I've worked in many studios and gyms over the years. Sometimes management has mats cleaned often, sometimes not. If you bring your own mat you always know where it's been. :o) Plus, owning your own mat may encourage you to begin valuable practice at home.

For my students who have trouble with their knees in some of the poses requiring the body weight to rest on a knee, I recommend temporarily folding over one end of the mat to get double cushion under the knee while still leaving one layer under the rest of the body. This saves you having to haul more than one mat out each time you practice which can be discouraging especially to the beginner.

135 of 135 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Which Size Manduka Is Right for You? May 28, 2007

By Joseph Drew

Color Name:Black|Size Name:85 Inch

I obsessed about whether to purchase the regular size Manduka or the longer 85" model. I am only 5'9" tall and was told by almost everyone that unless you are 6' tall or over you don't need the longer mat. Besides, the longer model is "so" heavy. As usual, I went my own way and purchased the longer mat and am glad I did. I love the longer mat. First of all, when I am completely stretched out on my stomach, my entire body is on the mat, face, hands and feet--not on the floor. I like the balanced feeling of every part of me being on the mat. Also, when I do my various asanas, I can now start in different spots on the mat and therefore put less wear and tear on the same spots. Second, I am afraid I don't understand the "weight" issue? The 71 inch model weighs 6.5 pounds, this one weights 9 pounds. For me that's not much of a difference, especially since I am only carrying the mat from the parking lot to the yoga room, not backpacking across India. Most of the time the mat is at home anyway.

As far as the Manduka mat in general, I have used two other mats and this one provides a lot more support. I find it to be very dense and firm, with just enough tactile feeling. And, the mat does not move around on me. I really like that. My yoga teacher said this was the best mat around.I am glad I listened to her sage advice.

Joe Drew (Kent, Ohio)

110 of 113 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't wait. It's worth the expense! August 22, 2006

By Rose

Color Name:Black| Size Name:71-Inch|Amazon Verified Purchase

First off, I've been practicing ashtanga/power yoga for about a year and a half now. I'm not an expert, but I know what works for me. My hands and feet sweat a lot during class. Most mats I've tried turn into a slip-and-slide after the first 5 minutes. From day one I've had to use a towel under my hands at the front of the mat to keep from collapsing in down dog. I've tried them all, your standard "sticky" mat, a mysore rug, etc. The sticky mat gripped until I got sweaty then it was worthless. The mysore rug needed to be so wet to grip that I ended up sitting on wet spots (not fun). The Black Mat is the only one that works. It grips perfectly and I don't even need the towel under my hands. I also love that it is so thick and dense. It doesn't "follow" me when I jump through, provides plenty of padding for my knees/arms, and is very stable for balancing poses. I even like that it's heavy...it helps tone my arms!