An acupressure mat as a gift for someone who has everything

Why does an acupressure mat make a good gift for someone who has everything?

An acupressure mat is a mat covered in thousands of small plastic spikes that you lie on, usually for about 20 minutes at a time. Your weight is spread across all the spikes, and many people find it intense for the first few minutes and relaxing after that.

Someone who has everything rarely has one. It is not a gadget to put on display but a habit to make time for – on the sofa, on the bed or on the floor – and that is why it works as a gift: it gets used.

Shakti's acupressure mats and pillows have been handmade in India since 2007. The Premium Acupressure Mat and the Premium Acupressure Pillow are covered in GOTS-certified organic cotton, and mats and pillows come with a 5-year warranty.

Which level should you choose when the acupressure mat is a gift?

The level is the most important choice, and the hardest when the mat is for someone else. Shakti's mats come in four levels, and all of them have the same sharp spikes. The difference is how many spikes sit on each disc: fewer spikes per disc give more concentrated pressure and a more intense sensation.

Light/Level 1 has 36 spikes per disc and 8,280 spikes in total, and is the level made for beginners. Original/Level 2 has 27 per disc and 6,210 in total, Advanced/Level 3 has 18 and 4,140, and Ultra/Level 4 has 9 and 2,070. Every mat has 230 discs.

The level depends mainly on how used you are to the sensation. If you don't know whether the recipient has lain on an acupressure mat before, choose the lowest level. Starting too hard makes it harder to build a habit, and then the mat stays unused.

If you are unsure, take our Find Your Level test with the recipient in mind: four quick questions, and the first is whether the person has used an acupressure mat before.

1. Has the recipient never lain on an acupressure mat? Choose Light/Level 1, which comes on the Premium Acupressure Mat.
2. Has the recipient tried one and likes the sensation? Original/Level 2 gives more discomfort at first but a deeper intensity.
3. Does the recipient use an acupressure mat regularly? Advanced/Level 3 is made for experienced users.
4. Has the recipient used one for years and wants the most intense? Choose Ultra/Level 4, which also only comes on the Premium Acupressure Mat.

Mat, pillow or set – what should you give?

The mat is the foundation. The Premium Acupressure Mat comes in all four levels, measures 74 × 40 × 2.5 cm and weighs 1 kg. It has a Blissfoam™ core of GOLS-certified organic latex and comes in three colours, but not every level in every colour – check that the combination you want to give exists.

The Classic Acupressure Mat comes in Original/Level 2 and Advanced/Level 3. It measures 77 × 40 × 2 cm and weighs 0.85 kg. As it has no Light/Level 1, it suits someone who has already tried an acupressure mat.

The pillow puts spikes under the neck, shoulders and back of the head. The Premium Acupressure Pillow measures 45 × 36 × 9 cm and comes in Light/Level 1, Original/Level 2 and Advanced/Level 3. For someone who already has a mat, the pillow is a good gift on its own.

If you want to give both a mat and a pillow, there is the Shakti Mat & Pillow Set: the Premium Acupressure Mat and the Premium Acupressure Pillow in one bundle. The Shakti Relax & Release Set adds a Wonderball, and the Shakti Total Recovery Set adds the To-Go mat and the Footpad.

Which gift suits someone who travels or meditates?

For someone who is often on the move there is the Shakti To-Go Acupressure Mat, a foam-free acupressure mat that weighs 0.35 kg. Unrolled it measures 36 × 51.5 cm and rolled up 36 × 10 × 5.5 cm, so it fits in a bag or in hand luggage. The base is water- and dirt-repellent, and the mat comes in Original/Level 2.

The To-Go mat adapts to the surface underneath: a hotel bed gives a feel closest to a regular mat, a hard floor a more intense one. It is made to complement a mat at home, not to replace it – a good gift for someone who already has one. The Shakti Travel Set is the To-Go mat and the Torus Ring Set in one bundle.

For someone who meditates there is the Shakti Meditation Cushion, a seat cushion 38.5 cm in diameter and 18 cm high. It has a removable acupressure pad with 276 spikes, so the recipient can sit with or without spikes. The cushion comes in two colours.

Are there smaller gifts with spikes?

Yes. The Shakti Wonderball is a brass massage ball with 658 spikes, about 6.5 cm in diameter and 200 grams, that you roll over the soles of your feet, your hands and your neck. It fits in one hand and in a bag.

The Torus Ring Set is three acupressure rings in silver-plated steel that you roll along your fingers and toes. Each ring has its own level – gold is 1, silver 2 and black 3 – and they come in a cotton pouch with a carabiner.

The Shakti Headband is a headband with spikes that measures 70 × 5 cm and weighs 65 grams.

The smaller gifts suit someone who already has a mat, or serve as a first introduction to the spikes for someone who doesn't want to start with a whole mat.

What happens if the level isn't right?

Shakti gives 30 days' open purchase, as long as the item is in the same condition as when it was received. If the level isn't right, it can be swapped within those 30 days. Swaps and returns go through hello@shaktimattan.com.

Open purchase is Shakti's own promise and applies on top of the 14-day statutory right of withdrawal – they are two different things. On top of that, mats and pillows have a 5-year warranty against craftsmanship and material defects.

Keep the order confirmation when you buy a gift, so a swap goes smoothly if the recipient would rather have a different level.

Who should you not give an acupressure mat to?

An acupressure mat is not for everyone, and it is worth knowing before you give one away. The same rules apply to the mats, the pillows and the accessories, so we quote our FAQ word for word: “Do not use the Shakti mat or its accessories if you have any of the following conditions:”

Coagulation problems or if you're taking blood-thinning medication. The Shakti mat can affect circulation and is therefore not recommended for people with circulation-related and/or blood coagulation problems.

Epilepsy – The Shakti mat is covered with thousands of sharp spikes and could be dangerous if a person has a seizure whilst using it.

Significant skin damage in the area where you intend to use the mat, including pronounced skin inflammation or large papillomas. Certain skin conditions may be worsened by the mat.

Neuropathy with loss of sensation or reduced sensation, as this can affect your ability to feel the sharpness of the spikes.

Pregnancy – Certain acupressure points are sometimes used to naturally induce labour (see previous FAQ).

Cardiovascular conditions – The Shakti mat can affect circulation and is therefore not recommended for people with heart and circulatory problems.

Thrombophlebitis – see coagulation problems and cardiovascular conditions above.

Fever or other acute illness.

If you have any other medical condition or illness, we recommend you consult your doctor before using the product. If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before use.