“The Taj Mahal of Yoga Mats” – Rod Stryker
At a time when I was just considering dropping my yoga classes altogether, the Times comes out with an interesting article about the soaring sales of $100+ Manduka Yoga Mats and the spike in yoga class attendance during the recession. Hmm, I must be the oddball out on this one… perhaps it’s time to find something other than yoga to sacrifice. Many Yogi’s love their Manduka’s, raving that it’s super sticky and prevents the slippage that often occur with other mats. Like the quote above, it has been called the Taj Mahal of yoga mats and compared to the likes of Ferraris and Porsches – is this smart marketing or true to form?
That’s right — $100 for a stinkin’ mat. A company called Manduka, which makes these luxury yoga props, has seen its sales rise 55% in the first four months of 2009. Sales at Amazon.com during this period are up a stunning 87%, and the company just signed a deal with Dick’s Sporting Goods, a major retailer with 389 stores across the country. Manduka offers the Black Mat PRO, a thick, cushiony black mat, for between $74 and $130, depending on its length, and the biodegradable eKO for between $42 and $70.
So what do you think? Is this all a marketing ploy to get us yuppies to buy expensive yoga mats that are probably of the same quality and comfort as the “cheaper” mats? Or is it really as good as its claims? If this amaaazing Manduka mat really does what it promises, I think I would seriously consider the purchase.
It makes sense – if one is planning on practicing yoga regularly, why not make a long term investment on a quality mat? A mat that lasts 2-3 years and works beautifully is better than a mat you might have to replace within 6 months because it just isn’t cutting it for you. Well, that’s always my line of thinking when I justify an expensive purchase. :p Though I’m not so quick to go out and buy a Manduka mat just yet (my $20 Nike mat is working well for me)… if my current mat wears out on me, maaybe. If you’re an owner of a Manduka mat please let me know how you like it! With that squared away, I now need to re-evaluate… do I really want to cancel that yoga membership I have?… *sigh*.
Would you drop a Benjamin on a yoga mat?
For Further Reading: No Stress: Pricey Yoga Mats Sell Briskly in Recession [Time]
Jen says:
I own a Manduka mine and I love it! It’s super sticky and I’ve never had to worry about slipping!
28th May 2009 at 3:28 pm
Anon says:
it would be so hard for me to give up my yoga!
i don’t own a manduka mat but i’ve heard good things.
28th May 2009 at 3:35 pm
chelsea says:
i’m definitely not comfortable buying a mat at that price, especially in these times
28th May 2009 at 1:20 pm
a. says:
I think it depends what kind of yoga you practice. I do Bikram so I’ve got a towel over my mat plus the studio is carpeted so I really don’t think it matters. If I was doing a vinyasa flow yoga class on a hard wood floor, stickiness and thickness probably would matter. I’m unemployed as well, but when I’m working, I’m happy to splurge on stuff for my hobbies. So yes, I probably would get an expensive mat if I were doing non-Bikram yoga. I have YogiToes towels and they were quite pricey!
28th May 2009 at 12:28 am
Julie says:
I own a Manduka mat. It is by far my favorite mat, and has lasted for years, 6+ and counting. It is sticky, it is cushiony without being squishy, and durable. I practice a minimum of 4 times a week on it, 1.5-3 hours each time. Add that up, and YES, it is worth the cost. If, however, finances are tight, and choices need to be made, practice can be done anywhere. Try the grass, it is free, fun to be outside, and very grounding. The mat is not important, the practice is. Originally, yoga asana was done without a mat. Angela Farmer is credited for the current mats that are practiced on today, sometime in the 1970s. Not that long, considering how long yoga has been around.
28th May 2009 at 11:46 am
Est says:
I REALLY want to get a Manduka! I have a pricey mat from Lululemon and it’s not sticky enough. Lulu won’t even let you return it even if you’re not satisfied with it. Sucks!
28th May 2009 at 6:49 am