I've been using my mat for about a week, 20 minutes before bed. Sometimes, I catch myself looking at it and thinking mean thoughts and making up excuses in my head, but I remind myself that people say it takes time to adjust. So I gently lower myself on it and channel all kinds of inner calmness to make it through the 20 minutes. Last night was the first night where I felt the AHHH--like they say, about 5 minutes into it. It's still intense, but I can feel my body relaxing into it much faster than on the first few days, and I DO feel so good after (in that "I just narrowly escaped catastrophe and I'm so glad to be alive" kinda way). Peeling myself off it might be the most intense part. I gotta say, this thing makes me feel like a badass, and, given that it's getting easier by the day, I'm committed to sticking with it and building a practice. I need all the help I can get to unwind and relax.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From frustration to hope

I originally bought the SHAKTI mat for my back. It worked great for my lower back tension and stiffness. What I didn’t expect was how much it would help with something that had become even more debilitating—my foot pain.

Living with constant foot pain has been exhausting—physically and emotionally. It’s limited how I move, how I sleep, and how I show up in my own life. Most days, just taking a few steps felt like too much. I was miserable.

Last night, out of desperation, I decided to try the mat under my legs and feet. It was intense—but I felt something shift. I used it again in the morning, and for the first time in a while, I moved with less stiffness, less pain and more mobility. After only using it on my feet once last night and briefly again in the morning. It gave me a sense of relief—and with that, a glimmer of hope. I can’t wait for it to do for my feet what it has done for my back.

It doesn’t tickle, that’s for sure but I used the guided mediations on the SHAKTI app and found it easier to use each time. I’m working my way up to more direct skin - spike contact. I started with a thin tshirt and pulled the shirt up further with each use.

If you’re struggling and feeling stuck, this might be worth trying. It turned out to be so much more than what I thought I was buying. I’m so glad I gave it a shot.

I've had my mat a couple of weeks now and I would love to say that the initial 'cor blimey', when you first lay down has gone, but no it hasn't. However, that feeling lasts only about 30 seconds & just means I need to relax into the session.

When I've finished and peeled myself off the mat, I feel accomplished, righteous and relaxed for either the day ahead, or the night's sleep.

If you're debating buying one, speak with the team about the intensity, as I could have opted for a less intense version, but dove in on the medium option.

I use mine on my back, under my legs and rolled up under my neck, depending upon what area is most achy.

Don't debate, just buy it, it's worth it.

I probably could have gotten the less intense version first, because the regular one is not messing around. That said, I have enjoyed the ride of slowly settling onto the Shakti mat and feeling where my body is holding tension. As that tension dissipates, my body warms, my nervous system settles, and I find myself in a space of grounding and relaxation. It's a great tool for activating all those meat pressure points, getting my circulation moving, and having a sensation for mindfulness focus and just taking some time to listen to my body and it's feedback. I use the Shakti pad as an evening wind down: 20 min of doing nothing but settling into my body on the mat. I use the Shakti pad to wake up my feet at my standing desk and to release foot tension. And i will sometimes sit on it for the sweet and spicy mat stabbin' on my bottom and legs as I, again, just take some time to be. It's a convenient excuse, this doing something to do nothing, but it works. :)

I plan to incorporate this mat into the end of my massage practice, for myself, as part of my grounding and energetic reset rituals.