The Shakti Mat is used as a wellness tool for overall health and vitality. Most commonly it is used to support deep sleep, healthy circulation, relaxation of tense muscles, relief from stress, relaxation, and general vitality. These benefits are accessible through the principles of acupressure, all within the comfort of your home.
Acupressure is a long-standing and well trusted practice from Eastern roots. While this practice is reasonably new to the Western world, it dates back 2,000 years and is now adopted by reputable practitioners around the world. The Shakti Mat mimics this ancient technique to reproduce the benefits and make the practice of acupressure more widely available. If you’d like to learn more about how The Shakti Mat has helped others experience the benefits of acupressure, read their reviews here.
When using The Shakti Mat, thousands of spikes apply pressure to your skin and muscles. If you’re like most, this experience can be uncomfortable and prickly at first. This will last a couple of minutes before a tingly sensation occurs, similar to deep heat, as the area warms. Discomfort then evaporates, muscles start to feel relaxed, and tension eases. This process can lead to feelings of bliss, and a state of such deep relaxation you may even nod off to sleep.
As humans, we all have different sensitivity to pain. For some people adjusting to The Shakti Mat can take just a couple of minutes, while for others it can take a couple of sessions. Over time, you will adjust to the initial discomfort, as your body learns to respond more readily to the pressure applied by the Mat.
For most, the experience can be uncomfortable at first. Often the body goes into 'resistance mode' due to any stress you may be carrying physically or mentally. After around 3-5 minutes, however, discomfort tends to transition into relaxation. Everyone is different. So while your friend might take to The Shakti Mat straight away, you may take a couple of weeks to adjust. Our top two tips for newcomers are...
Tip #1: Relax and give in. The more you resist the spikes and tense yourbody, the more it will hurt. Use your breath to calm the body, or try distracting yourself with a book, podcast, or TV show.
Tip #2: Be patient with yourself. Don't expect to be a perfect Shakti-er straight away. Rise to the challenge knowing that with time and commitment you will soon love the experience and won't want to miss a session.
If you're wanting more tips for getting over the Shakti 'hump', get in touch with the team (support@shaktimat.co.nz) or join the lively acupressure community. There are plenty of like-minded people who can help you on your Shakti journey!
The Shakti Mat works on contact. When you place the Mat against your body, the spikes exert pressure on your skin. For your first session, start by applying the Mat to your neck, shoulders, back, or legs, as these areas are the most commonly affected by tension. However, any area of your body can be targeted. There is no limit for time or frequency of a Shakti session, and it is completely normal to fall asleep on the Mat.
We recommend you aim for 15 minutes or more to experience the full acupressure effect. For your first few sessions, you can wear a thin t-shirt, or place a pillow case over your Mat while your body adjusts. However, bare skin is best to experience the full Shakti sensation. Use your Mat on any surface. Common places include in bed, on the floor, on a seat, or on a couch. Softer surfaces provide more 'give', so this is a great place to start.
The Shakti Mat range varies in intensity based on the number of spikes. Contrary to what you might think, the fewer spikes the Mat has, the more intense the effect. This is because your body weight is distributed over fewer points, resulting in a more intense experience.
Products in order of intensity:
The Shakti Light (Yellow) has 8,000 spikes and is recommended for those who are sensitive to pressure, or seeking a light acupressure experience.
The Shakti Original (Orange, Black, Pink or Green) has 6,000 spikes and is the Mat we recommend to most people. If you don't meet the description of the Light or Advanced Mats, then this is a great place to start!
The Shakti Advanced (Indigo) is a step up for all the Shakti veterans out there looking to intensify their Shakti experience. The Advanced has the least number of spikes (only 4,000). Try the Advanced Mat if you have a strong pain threshold, enjoy deep tissue massages, or have been using the Original Mat for 6 months or more.
We want everyone to experience the benefits of The Shakti Mat. That’s why we offer a 60-day free returns policy. If you’re worried the Shakti Mat isn’t right for you, then feel comfortable knowing you can send it back or exchange it, free of charge. Find out how you can organise a free return in the returns and exchange section (below) of our FAQ’s.
Since the creation of The Shakti Mat in 2007 there have been many imitations, but few are crafted with the same values. Read the 5 reasons why The Shakti Mat is a worthwhile investment.
Unfortunately we do not recommend use of the Shakti Mat to women who are pregnant, especially in the first trimester. The Shakti Mat uses acupressure, which has been used to induce labor in some cases. Always consult your medical professional before using the Mat. However, The Shakti Mat is a wonderful and completely safe tool in the postpartum stage. New mum's may suffer from back tension, tightness in hips, sleeplessness, stress and more - all for which The Shakti Mat can provide great natural support.
Here is some useful information on acupressure and pregnancy if you want to learn more:
http://acupressurepointsguide.com/pressure-points-to-induce-labor/
Do not use The Shakti Mat or Accessories if you have any of the following conditions:
Coagulation issues, or if you are using anticoagulant medication. The Shakti Mat can affect circulation and therefore can not be recommended to people with circulation and/or clotting issues.
Epilepsy - The Shakti Mat is covered in thousands of sharp spikes, making it hazardous if a person were to have a seizure while using the Mat.
Significant skin damage in the area of use, including pronounced skin inflammation, or large papilloma's. Skin conditions are at risk of being aggravated by The Shakti Mat.
Neuropathy that has resulted in loss of sensation or sensory impairment, as this may impact a users ability to feel the sharpness of the spikes.
Pregnancy acupressure points are used in some cases to naturally induce labor (see previous FAQ).
Cardiovascular conditions The Shakti Mat can affect circulation and therefore can not be recommended to people with cardiovascular conditions.
Thrombophlebitis- see coagulation issues, and cardiovascular conditions above.
Fever or other acute illness
If you have any other medical condition or disease, we recommend you consult your physician before using this product. If you are, or are planning to become pregnant, consult your physician prior to use.
It is also okay to use The Shakti Mat with tattoos except during the healing period. Do not use The Shakti Mat if you're experiencing any form of irritation in the area of the tattoo. Always consult a professional prior to use if you are unsure.
Yes, children can use The Shakti Mat. We suggest children are thoroughly supervised though due to the sharpness of the spikes.
We find it’s the person's level of skin sensitivity that determines what they feel, not their weight. Use The Shakti Mat and Accessories to create a Shakti experience that works for you. This might mean combining two Shakti Mats or a Shakti Mat and Pillow for a more effective session.
It's important to note that The Shakti Mat doesn't need to be touching every area of your back to provide an effective treatment. If you want more tips for targeting your trouble areas effectively, don't hesitate to email our support team, or reach out to fellow acupressure mat users on theAcupressure Facebook Group.
Cotton - The Shakti Mat uses 100% organic cotton and non-toxic dyes, both certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). GOTS certification is recognised as the world's leading processing standard for organic textiles and requires compliance with high-level environmental criteria.
Spikes - Each Shakti Mat is hand-clipped with recyclable ABS plastic. ABS plastic is incredibly durable and resistant to impact, allowing The Shakti spikes to maintain their sharpness, strength, and effectiveness after years of consistent use.
Foam - Each Shakti Mat case contains polyurethane foam (PU). This foam is chosen for quality, performance and durability. PU is also typically used for bedding, making it a comfortable and 'giving' base for a relaxing Shakti session.
The nameShakti has deep meaning that thoughtfully reflects the concepts and intentions behind the business, the people and the Mat itself. In Vedic culture physical health is seen as something inextricably bound up with mental health, and general well-being only results when both are working well together. The name Shakti and the symbols used, represent the Vedic culture that The Mat arose from and are there to remind us that the mind and body are inseparable.
In Hinduism, Shakti is the Goddess of Primal Energy . The concept of Shakti refers to sacred force or empowerment, and is the representation of divine feminine power and energy. It manifests outwardly as physical nature and inwardly as spirit or energy. Shakti is seen as the life force energy behind your breath, your heartbeat, and your muscles.
The Shakti Mat was created and designed with the intention to ignite these qualities of Shakti energy and offer users a way in which to harness this strength (mentally) in order to reestablish well-being (physically). Through regular use of The Shakti Mat, users can learn to become more present, resilient and aware of physical disharmony and imbalance in the body, prompting steps towards restoring the body as a whole.
The symbols on Shakti Mats and Pillows all stem from what is called Sacred Geometry. Sacred Geometry exists all around us, and especially in nature. It represents harmony, balance, connection, healing, and the natural patterns of growth or movement.
The Seed of Life symbol on the top corners of The Shakti Mat symbolizes the building blocks of life and existence. It implies that all life on Earth is interconnected.
Contains sharp spikes - use with care and only as directed.
Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Small parts may pose choking hazard.
Absolutely! All Shakti Mats and Pillows are Latex-free except for a limited time run of The Shakti Mat Original in Black that explicitly says 'Niryasa Eco Latex Foam' in the description.
Good news - shipping is FREE for all economy shipping orders in the USA and Canada.
When you order using Express - your order will arrive within 2-3 business days. For Economy shipping services (the default option), expect 3-7 business days. Please note the delivery time frame begins on the day after we dispatch the item/s.
We currently ship to New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom and USA. And we cover most areas in Canada, Europe, and Asia.
If you would like to place an order for a friend/family member located in a different country to you, please email our customer service team on contact@shaktimat.com to organise a custom order.
Unfortunately, we cannot ship to APO/FPO addresses.
All orders are dispatched from fulfilment centres based within the United States or Canada, and can be tracked via the link you received in your email. If you didn't receive an email with your tracking link, make sure to check your junk folder as it may have slipped in there! Otherwise, drop us an email and we'll sort you out: contact@shaktimat.com
Once an order has been placed, it begins processing for dispatch. After this point we are unable to make any changes.
Changes to your order are unable to be made once your order has been placed.
If there has been an error in your order, please contact us via contact@shaktimat.com and we will send out the correct item you ordered along with a return slipfor you to return any incorrect items.
Sometimes items are shipped seperately. If your full order does not arrive immediately, please allow 2 business days for it to show up. If it hasn't arrived by then, feel free to send us an email and we can track your Shakti order for you to find out where it is.
Email us on contact@shaktimat.com with your order number and we'll take care of it right away.
We no longer carry Happiness Bags. If you're looking for a way to store your Shakti, we recommend a simple tote bag, folding it in half and placing between your bed and night stand, or hanging it by a clothing hanger using the 2 loops on either corner.
Due to the handmade nature of Shakti products, this can happen on occasion. Luckily it’s an easy fix! If you still have both the spike and back disc, you can reattach them by simply pushing the smaller disc up through the fabric, and then clamping down the spike on top so both parts connect (something heavy like a book will work well). You should hear a “click” when the spike is attached to the disc.
If the spike/clip has been lost, start by checking insideyour Shakti Mat. You might find the clip hiding in there! Otherwise, let us know if you need a hand and we will get a replacement in the mail for you as soon as possible. Please send through your order number to contact@shaktimat.com and we can arrange this.
All our products are handmade, so arrival times can vary, but the product you're after is likely to be due in soon. Simply enter your email on the product page, to be notified as soon as the product is available.
If you find The Shakti Mat you ordered is too light, or too intense, you may exchange it for another Mat provided the goods are in the same condition as when you received them.
Get in touch with us at contact@shaktimat.com to begin the process of an exchange.
*This applies to Shakti products bought directly through the shaktimat.com website only. Products bought from any of our retailers are not eligible for returns, or exchanges directly with Team Shakti Distribution Limited. In the event you are wanting to return/exchange a Shakti product that has been purchased through one of our retailers, you must arrange this directly with the retailer you bought it from. Each retailer will have their own return & exchange policy.
All Shakti products are backed by a 5-year Warranty that covers defects in craftsmanship and materials. We use materials such as GOTS certified organic cotton and ABS medical-grade plastic, selected for their quality, longevity and strength to ensure you’re Shakti-ing for years to come. Should you face any product issues beyond wear and tear, please get in touch with us, with photos and details of the defect, and we’ll guide you on submitting a warranty claim. Our email address is contact@shaktimat.com.
Normal wear and tear.
