Manduka Purple Pro Yoga Mat, 6 mm

I’ve been using this mat for months now, but I’ve been practicing yoga for 10 years. I’ve had all the different branded mats, thinking is this what a mat is supposed to be like, until I finally pledged to buy Manduka. I can honestly say if you’re unsure about spending a lot of money on mats, do it! I’ve wasted so much time looking at reviews, buying different ones because of their claims. I didn’t need to rub salt on the mat, or do anything like that because I use a hand towel when my hands are sweaty to stop them slipping. The mat itself kinda moulds into your body shape, feet etc. You really feel grounded with this mat - Something I have never experienced with a yoga mat before. Love Manduka. I also use their mat sprays. I would personally recommend them as well. ... MoreI’ve been using this mat for months now, but I’ve been practicing yoga for 10 years. I’ve had all the different branded mats, thinking is this what a mat is supposed to be like, until I finally pledged to buy Manduka. I can honestly say if you’re unsure about spending a lot of money on mats, do it! I’ve wasted so much time looking at reviews, buying different ones because of their claims. I didn’t need to rub salt on the mat, or do anything like that because I use a hand towel when my hands are sweaty to stop them slipping. The mat itself kinda moulds into your body shape, feet etc. You really feel grounded with this mat - Something I have never experienced with a yoga mat before. Love Manduka. I also use their mat sprays. I would personally recommend them as well. They have a lovely scent, and actually throughly clean your mat. I have the botanical cleaner and the mat and refresh lavender one.

Good mat that takes effort to get there

This mat is a bit like a dog that you brought home from the shelter that you thought maybe would just be able to sit and stay, but actually took more training than you anticipated. After some substantial attention, you become best friends and forget all about the hard times. But if somebody tells you they're going to get a dog, you warn them that it won't be all love and light. That's how this yoga mat is. It's a bombproof mat that will outlast the transmission in your truck. For that reason, I do recommend the black color, but what do I know about how clean the blue will be in five years? Just a hunch.It's thick, so it's cushiony on the knees. I give the mat 5 stars. But I give the company 2 or 3 stars for how they advertise this thing. To say they underestimate ... MoreThis mat is a bit like a dog that you brought home from the shelter that you thought maybe would just be able to sit and stay, but actually took more training than you anticipated. After some substantial attention, you become best friends and forget all about the hard times. But if somebody tells you they're going to get a dog, you warn them that it won't be all love and light. That's how this yoga mat is. It's a bombproof mat that will outlast the transmission in your truck. For that reason, I do recommend the black color, but what do I know about how clean the blue will be in five years? Just a hunch.It's thick, so it's cushiony on the knees. I give the mat 5 stars. But I give the company 2 or 3 stars for how they advertise this thing. To say they underestimate the "break-in" period is an understatement. First of all, this isn't a leather boot. You don't "break" it in, as if it were leather that needed to be softened. It's got a slippery film on it. The thing that really gets my chi boiling about this mat is the lack of transparency from Manduka. Listen: the mat exudes a slippery film for some time. Nobody knows what it is. It might be whale oil, but Manduka won't say. I have a conspiracy theory that Manduka knows exactly how to make this mat sticky from the start but they can't do it without compromising their OEKO-TEX certification. This certification, by the way, means that there are 350 nasty chemicals that are not in the mat. Does it mean there are no nasty chemicals? No, just not the 350 known nasties. It could certainly have some unknown nasties, as chemical manufacturers are clever.But back to the topic at hand: Manduka is all like: "yeah, just sprinkle some sea salt on your mat and let it sit for a day in the sun." When I hear that this works for some people, I don't think they're doing downward dog on their mat. It just doesn't work. You have to really scrub the salt (coarser the better) into the mat thoroughly with pressure, for a few minutes. It should take about 5 minutes to scrub the whole mat. And then, guess what? It will be slick again in a day or two. I think what's happening is that the surface is exuding a film that continues for some period of time and you have to repeatedly scrub it off until it is gone. Perhaps leaving the mat out in the sun causes the film to evaporate faster: sure, give it a shot. Even though I am a tree-loving person, I even tried acetone on my mat. I'm pretty sure I just ruined my OEKO certification, but boy did that film disappear! But guess what? It was back a day later. I did a couple more salt scrubs and now it's usable. I anticipate it will get better with time (after all, this is what Manduka promises: the best way to "break in" the mat is [and I quote their website] "practice, practice, practice."). I find this advice duplicitous. I think they are preying on the yogi's belief that lots of practice cures all kinds of ailments, including a slippery mat. What I would like them to admit is that it has a slippery film on it that goes away with time and when you use it, your skin rubs off the film or your clothing absorbs some of the film until it is gone. Don't just tell me that "practice" will do it. There's a real patronizing of yogis here. Manduka, just give it to us straight and tell us what's really going on.If all this seems like too much to deal with for a consumer good, or you’re doing sweaty hot yoga, you can head straight to an open-cell natural rubber mat that is stickier from the start. Just don’t expect it to last as long, and it will probably smell bad for some time. If all else fails, just do some Savasana. Just breathe. Everything will be fine, I promise.

Good, but room to improve...

I give this product a 4 out of 5 just due to personal preference, where I think a yoga mat should have a little more "give" with the cushioning. I felt this mat was a bit hard for me, and at this price point for $5 worth of rubber, it needs to be perfect to get 5 stars. I'm fine with the break-in period. It was slippery at first, then did the salt routine and have done multiple HIIT workouts on it with shoes on, concentrating on stepping in the areas in the 1/3 of the mat where hands/feet typically go doing yoga. That has significantly reduced slipping, though it still has a bit more breaking in to do after a week of that. Could still be another couple inches wider to hit the perfection mark as well. I'm 5'8" and to do a wide stance pushup, it leaves me feeling a ... MoreI give this product a 4 out of 5 just due to personal preference, where I think a yoga mat should have a little more "give" with the cushioning. I felt this mat was a bit hard for me, and at this price point for $5 worth of rubber, it needs to be perfect to get 5 stars. I'm fine with the break-in period. It was slippery at first, then did the salt routine and have done multiple HIIT workouts on it with shoes on, concentrating on stepping in the areas in the 1/3 of the mat where hands/feet typically go doing yoga. That has significantly reduced slipping, though it still has a bit more breaking in to do after a week of that. Could still be another couple inches wider to hit the perfection mark as well. I'm 5'8" and to do a wide stance pushup, it leaves me feeling a bit restricted. Overall, solid workout mat, but has room to improve.

Heaven’s Red Carpet 🤍

This is gonna be a long one, but I’ve got endless gratitude for the Manduka mission and the way it has changed my life. These mats are simply beyond compare. I first received the Manduka X mat as a gift about a year after committing to a daily asana practice. That mat went with me everywhere, it became my safe haven. The place I learned to intuitively and gracefully tend to myself during anxiety attacks, PTSD episodes, moments of grief that left me unable to do anything but breathe. I was (and still am) stunned by the quality, durability, and grip after a year of practicing on my Manduka mat 2+ hours a day. It has aged like fine wine. After another year, my practice having evolved substantially and my joints in need of more support, I decided to treat myself to the ... MoreThis is gonna be a long one, but I’ve got endless gratitude for the Manduka mission and the way it has changed my life. These mats are simply beyond compare. I first received the Manduka X mat as a gift about a year after committing to a daily asana practice. That mat went with me everywhere, it became my safe haven. The place I learned to intuitively and gracefully tend to myself during anxiety attacks, PTSD episodes, moments of grief that left me unable to do anything but breathe. I was (and still am) stunned by the quality, durability, and grip after a year of practicing on my Manduka mat 2+ hours a day. It has aged like fine wine. After another year, my practice having evolved substantially and my joints in need of more support, I decided to treat myself to the Manduka Pro. I couldn’t be happier. It takes about a week or so of daily practice to break in all Manduka mats, even after doing the initial salt treatment, but to me that’s part of the thrill. Each day I can feel my mat slowly adjusting to the way my body moves. If you want a wonderfully comfortable, supportive, durable mat perfect for your at home practice, Manduka Pro is your gal. Ms. Manduka X will now be my go-to travel/outdoor practice buddy as she’s more lightweight. Manduka, you have changed my yoga game and helped revolutionize my relationship to total body wellness. My mats are an extension of myself, my most reliable safe space. Thank you.

I am an experienced yogi and I do not recommend this product at all.

I have regularly practiced yoga for 7 years now, and have used several different kinds of mats during that time. I previously used a Kind Mat Bliss, which was amazing and super grippy, but very cumbersome since it couldn't roll up or travel easily. Some of my yoga teachers and fellow students recommended the Manduka mat, and I decided to give it a try. Though very expensive, I was confident that this would be a great mat for my practice.When I first received it, I was SO excited to try it out that I didn't salt it first, and as expected, I slipped all throughout that first class. It was awful -- so incredibly slippery, and I ended up injuring myself from combating the slipping of my hands and feet! Absolutely unacceptable. I am a pretty strong Yogi, but I can only ... MoreI have regularly practiced yoga for 7 years now, and have used several different kinds of mats during that time. I previously used a Kind Mat Bliss, which was amazing and super grippy, but very cumbersome since it couldn't roll up or travel easily. Some of my yoga teachers and fellow students recommended the Manduka mat, and I decided to give it a try. Though very expensive, I was confident that this would be a great mat for my practice.When I first received it, I was SO excited to try it out that I didn't salt it first, and as expected, I slipped all throughout that first class. It was awful -- so incredibly slippery, and I ended up injuring myself from combating the slipping of my hands and feet! Absolutely unacceptable. I am a pretty strong Yogi, but I can only imagine how unsafe this mat is for a beginner.As soon as I came home from that class, I followed the salting protocol instructions, and let it sit for just over 24 hrs, as directed. Today, I had my first yoga class since salting it, and I was confident that this time would be better. Though less slippery than pre-salting, it is still WAY too slippery for me to feel safe and confident about using it regularly for my yoga practice!I am really, really disappointed with this product, especially for how expensive it is!! And after spending $165+ for a Manduka yoga mat and carrying strap, I refuse to spend more money on more Manduka products just to have a safe yoga practice with their product.Sadly, I returning this mat for safety reasons; I can't risk re-injuring myself because I spend the class over-extending myself to compensate for slipping. I cannot recommend this product.

I met my lifetime yoga mat!

I have been practicing yoga for 7 years. I was in need of a mat and turned to my trusted yoga teacher to get her advice. She told me about her Manduka Pro Mat she has had for over 20 years. I started 2023 with my Pro Mat. I took my time to submit this review because I wanted to write from a place of experience. I have practiced on this mat, three times a week for more than a month now. I feel held and supported by this mat. It is strong, it gives me confidence to come to the mat with a curious student's heart. I know if I fall, it will catch me. I am also a long distance runner. This mat is so, so kind to my knees. I no longer have to put a blanket under my knees when I practice certain poses. I know I met my lifetime mat. And just like yoga, this mat will be a part ... MoreI have been practicing yoga for 7 years. I was in need of a mat and turned to my trusted yoga teacher to get her advice. She told me about her Manduka Pro Mat she has had for over 20 years. I started 2023 with my Pro Mat. I took my time to submit this review because I wanted to write from a place of experience. I have practiced on this mat, three times a week for more than a month now. I feel held and supported by this mat. It is strong, it gives me confidence to come to the mat with a curious student's heart. I know if I fall, it will catch me. I am also a long distance runner. This mat is so, so kind to my knees. I no longer have to put a blanket under my knees when I practice certain poses. I know I met my lifetime mat. And just like yoga, this mat will be a part of me and my life until the day I die. Thank you for making mats designed for yogis who not only love yoga, but has made it a daily, lifetime practice.

Lovely color. Great customer service. Not grippy enough for a safe practice.

I have to preface this by saying how wonderful and lovely Mandukas customer service has been.I am a yoga teacher and teach predominately in a hot infrared studio. I’m generally not a “puddles of sweat” kinda yogi — even in the heat, so I was hopeful this mat would hold up to its reviews. I did the salt method to break it in, twice — and let it sit in the sun. If my hands or feet were even the slightest bit damp, I would begin slipping. Anymore than a bit damp, my hands and feet would very swiftly move a good 6 inches (this lead to a pretty unsafe practice). I was surprised at HOW easily I slipped on this mat. I was told that the slip would help activate and engage other muscles, but I do not feel one should be gripping with every ounce of muscle to keep from ... MoreI have to preface this by saying how wonderful and lovely Mandukas customer service has been.I am a yoga teacher and teach predominately in a hot infrared studio. I’m generally not a “puddles of sweat” kinda yogi — even in the heat, so I was hopeful this mat would hold up to its reviews. I did the salt method to break it in, twice — and let it sit in the sun. If my hands or feet were even the slightest bit damp, I would begin slipping. Anymore than a bit damp, my hands and feet would very swiftly move a good 6 inches (this lead to a pretty unsafe practice). I was surprised at HOW easily I slipped on this mat. I was told that the slip would help activate and engage other muscles, but I do not feel one should be gripping with every ounce of muscle to keep from slipping on the mat (think Patanjali’s yoga sutras, balancing effort AND ease…).Anyway. I was quite disappointed. I loved the mauve elderberry color, and how the 6mm mat cushioned (yes, it is heavy but I was coming from another heavy mat so I was used to it). I wanted to love it and I wanted it to be my forever mat, but I’ll be going back to my original brand of mat to meet my grip expectations. :)

Make sure you really do your research and that you are sure on the option you want to buy

The Mat- Is beautiful but heavy and bulky. I bought the PRO to replace my second mat PROlite that was defective. At first it has a strong smell, you have to air it out before you bring it in the hot room. I'm 5.8 and 190lbs and it is still to heavy for me to carry around for daily practice. Customer service- I hate to say that I'm extremely disappointed at the brand in this aspect, I got a second mat as a gift that is defective, I reached out for help since they pride on having lifetime warranty, they declined any help as I could not provide proof of purchase. For a mat that cost this much would be nice for them to back their product 100%. So make sure you save your receipt! If you are looking for a daily mat go with PROlite way easier to carry around.

Manufacturing defects with the Adriene Anniversary Mat

Like quite a few of the other reviewers here I purchased the 10 yearYoga with Adriene anniversary mat. Two toned cream and brown. Mine also came defective. All through the mat there was raised areas of bumps. (extra material that wasn't smooth in the pouring process of making the mat) I sent numerous pictures and they obviously showed the defects. After a few conversations back and forth I was issued a refund. It certainly wasn't a speedy process for something that wasn't my error. I had to wait several weeks to get my refund. I did not appreciate that. I had wanted to have another one sent but you were out of the long style which I ordered. I was probably one of the first to place my order as a "Find what feels good member" I got up early so I could be one of the ... MoreLike quite a few of the other reviewers here I purchased the 10 yearYoga with Adriene anniversary mat. Two toned cream and brown. Mine also came defective. All through the mat there was raised areas of bumps. (extra material that wasn't smooth in the pouring process of making the mat) I sent numerous pictures and they obviously showed the defects. After a few conversations back and forth I was issued a refund. It certainly wasn't a speedy process for something that wasn't my error. I had to wait several weeks to get my refund. I did not appreciate that. I had wanted to have another one sent but you were out of the long style which I ordered. I was probably one of the first to place my order as a "Find what feels good member" I got up early so I could be one of the members to buy the anniversary mat. It was important to me. Your company failed with quality control here as I now see I was not the only one who had manufacturing issues. This whole special project was mismanaged but could of been avoided with better oversight.