Although the Acupressure mat was originally designed for use during meditation it can also be used for general well being, you may know this mat better as the Shakti mat. The mat has lots of points disguised as lotus flowers; there are more than 6000 points, which is more than the traditional bed of nails prevalent in the East. This large number of acupressure points is what makes this mat so effective. Not only can you achieve a deeper meditative state but you can also experience relief for a variety of everyday problems.
The Shakti Mat can alleviate symptoms of many common ailments. Do you suffer from tension, muscle or joint pain, insomnia, headaches including migraines, depression, lethargy or sciatica? The acupressure mat can help, but how does it work you might ask?
It has long been recognized that the body can heal itself and acupressure is one of the methods for spurring this kind of healing. When you use the Shakti mat the many points of the mat stimulate the body’s natural energy giving you an instant feeling of well being while relieving symptoms of several common ailment. It may be hard to imagine that a session on an acupressure mat could relieve pain, but it does.
The idea of the Acupressure mat is centered around the idea that the body is composed of a meridian system, somewhat like the nervous system, that runs a complete circuit through the body and ends at your hands or feet on pathways. Lying on the mat, the points that fall within the meridian are stimulated. This causes a rush of energy to flood the pathways.
Acupressure causes the release of endorphins within the body. Endorphins are our feel-good hormones which trigger a calming and uplifting response in the body. They reduce the sensation of pain and have a positive effect on the emotions. As a result of endorphins releasing, blood pressure decreases and blood circulation improves. Endorphins also rid the body of acid which is of great benefit in relieving joint pain and digestive disorders.
A common prescription for pain relief is morphine and it is widely held that endorphins have the same pain relieving properties. For this reason, alone it is easy to see how the Shakti mat can ease persistent pain.
To use the mat for overall wellbeing, lie on it daily for around 20 minutes. For targeted pain relief, the affected area should be in contact with the mat for however long is comfortable. Start with five minute sessions and build up to 20 minutes or more. For example, if you have a pain in your hip that stops you from getting off to sleep at night, go to bed and lie on the affected side ensuring the entire hip area is in contact with the acupressure mat.
You may feel tingling sensations, pins and needles or a rush of warmth as stagnant energy begins to flow through the congested area, in this case the hip. Gradually you will feel the warmth spreading down your leg and across your back until a warm, pulsing sensation is felt from your fingers to your toes.
These sensations indicate that the painful area is decongesting, relaxing the surrounding muscles and ultimately relieving the pain. Regular use can prevent the pain from occurring enabling you to maintain a pain free state throughout the day. The possibilities here are endless, simply substitute the hip for the areas where you experience pain to achieve the same benefits.
If it has been a long time since you had a good night’s sleep you might try sleeping on the acupressure mat. In order to drift off in a deep sleep you might want to place a pillow beneath your knees. Guided meditation is also good for helping this process along. You can find deep sleep meditations on the website, www.shaktimeditations.com ; this has been specially designated for use with the Shakti mat.
A variety of painful conditions can be reduced through regular use of the acupressure mat, including migraines. The stimulation and release of endorphins help to block pain impulse. These same endorphins are responsible for lifting mood and making you feel calm, relaxed and happy which is a great depression buster.
Do you like yoga as a relaxation and stress control medium? You may be surprised to learn you can perform many yoga poses on the Shakti mat. The acupressure actually boosts the effect of your yoga poses. It is a good idea to place a cloth between you and the mat until you become accustomed to the sensations. Begin with yoga poses in which your weight is evenly balanced, this could be seated and forward bending.
As you progress and become more confident, you can opt for tree poses where all your weight is on one foot or a more advanced bow pose where your abdomen is the main area in contact with the Shakti mat. The bow pose is great for those with menstrual or digestive problems as the points of the acupressure mat are stimulating the abdominal area.
Whenever possible take ten minutes or so to lie on the Shakti mat for general relaxation. You can play some soothing music or Shakti Mat Meditations while you lie on your back on the acupressure mat. These times will support better mood, energy and general well-being.
There are times when you simply need general relaxation or meditation and the acupressure mat is great for this as well. Take ten minutes out of your day to simply lie on your back and enjoy relaxing music or Shakti Mat Meditations. Lying on the mat, this way will stimulate energy, improve mood and just generally make you feel much better!