Yoga fans know: There isn’t always an instructor around to correct posture or check flexibility in a pose. There also isn’t typically someone around to cheer you on when you get things right. Until now.
My Favorite Things
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Firm, soft mat that grips well
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Real-time pose corrections
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Lightweight/portable
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Well-hidden sensors
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Personalized guidance and feedback
Key Features and Findings
I’m an intermediate yoga devotee, mostly practicing yin yoga. My home yoga practice is sometimes weak since there’s no instructor hanging out to correct my poses or give guidance. I suspect that happens with a lot of people. Because of that, we probably aren’t getting the full benefits of our yoga practices.
I wanted to test out YogiFi’s Smart Mat Gen 3 because, well, I’m a bit of a geek and was absolutely curious to see how an AI yoga mat worked.
This product focuses on āsana poses but often doesn’t limit you to time frames when working on individual poses so it’s easy to drop into yin as desired.
Here’s what I discovered:
The top of the mat has a USB-C port for battery charging and an on/off button.
YogiFi
Nearly Fool-proof Set up: The mat is very easy to set up and begin using. There’s a proprietary charging cable (be sure to plug the correct end into the mat!) and an app to install; both were simple to figure out. Once the app was installed, it connected me immediately to the mat as it was charging up the first time. Friendly tip: The start button requires a long press.
Keep your smartphone or tablet somewhere you can easily view it. I just propped mine up against the couch or bed but using a small stand that you can see from any pose would be a smarter way to keep the session in sight.
The YogiFi app offers dozens of sessions in many categories for you to choose from.
Lifewire
Simple to follow app: Connected by Bluetooth to the mat, the YogiFi app is ridiculously easy to use. It’s divided into many different sections (Wellness, Essential Yoga, Free Style, Diabetes Management, Stress Buster, etc.). You can create your own session or choose from a large number of provided sessions. Just choose an option in the app and start.
- Whatever your selection, a gentle voice begins guiding you with clear instructions and provides visuals (usually a practice video you can follow) to show you how the pose should look. It works together with the mat to offer tailored yoga routines based on your fitness level and goals.
- As you complete individual poses (as well as your practice for the day), the app uses the mat’s sensor information to offer feedback. Depending on the activity, you might see information about your overall performance, balance, and flexibility, for example. This can quickly show you where you excel… and where you need more practice.
- You can track your progress, consistency, and metrics over time.
- The app also includes breathwork, stretching, and mindfulness guidance.
The app provides a variety of metrics as it tracks your progress.
Lifewire
The Smart Mat: The mat uses artificial intelligence for both your yoga practice and tracking your progress. It is clearly marked with a variety of lines and circles indicating sensor placement that assesses your body’s position in comparison to the pose you are attempting.
You’ll quickly figure out where the connected app is getting it’s information from. It’s slightly unnerving in the beginning but there is no camera nor anything recording your voice, so don’t stress. Once I got the hang of it, I was hooked.
- There are demonstrations to show you what the session entails; a short warm up; clear directions on how to achieve a pose; non-judgmental and spot-on guidance for correcting your pose if needed; and, ultimately, gentle encouragement whether or not you achieved the pose properly. (“Let’s move on to the next one” was a phrase I heard several times before realizing that she was really saying, “Man, you’re really bad at this. Let’s see if there is something you can actually do.”)
- If the mat indicator light flashes red, your pose is off. The instructor will say things like ‘move your big toes together’ and, once the pose is corrected, the mat light will flash green and ding gently to congratulate you on the getting things right. The more I used the mat, the easier poses became. (Although I still can’t do a Firefly or Pendant pose so I just skip those!)
YogiFi Smart Mat Gen 3 at home showing in-mat sensor lines and indicator light at top of mat.
S.E. Slack/Lifewire
Portability: Well, it’s still a yoga mat so it rolls up to stash into a nicely lined, protective carrier. A provided mat holder also keeps it nice and tight for storage. I did find that the lining of the carrier made it a bit difficult to drop the mat in, but given that this is a smart mat, the extra protection the bag offers is necessary. You’ll get used to it, especially if you use the mat holder before dropping it into the bag. You can also just use the mat holder and skip the bag.
Class Use: While most people will probably use this smart mat at home, there are options for you to join an online class while using the mat to track your progress silently in the background. When class ends, you can get the feedback you need. You can do the same thing with a studio class: Set up your mat and app, then get your insights post-session.
Subscription Information
You’ll need a subscription to use the mat but you don’t necessarily need to pay for it. After the free trial, you can choose to continue with the Elite paid plan or just switch over to the free Essential plan.
Purchasing the mat from Amazon includes a free one-year subscription to the Elite plan; other sites, including YogiFi’s, only offer free 3-month subscriptions. The Elite plan as of now is about $13/month; when you compare pricing, be sure to factor in the ‘free’ length of the initial subscription.
Important Specs to Know
Size
72″ (L) x 26″ (W) x 0.25″ (H)
Thickness
6 mm
Weight
3.3 lbs
Material
Thermoplastic Elastomers
Grip
Anti-slip
Sensors
AI embedded pressure
Charging
Proprietary USB-C
Battery
Lasts up to a week
Waterproof
No but can be gently cleaned.
Compatibility
iOS, Android, Apple Watch, and some Samsung TVs
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, the YogiFi Smart Mat Gen 3 is worth the spend especially if you prefer practicing at home. The more I used the mat and related app, the more useful it became for me. The app is simple to use, the mat is excellent quality, and the unobtrusive sensors are accurate.
It’s spendy, yes, but it offers great value for anyone looking for yoga guidance and feedback. Would I personally purchase one for a friend who does yoga? Yep. It’s already on my gift shopping list!
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