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SmartMat is built with a specially calibrated array of sensors that connect to your smartphone or tablet, giving YOU real-time feedback on your Yoga practice.
SmartMat functions through two distinct modes:
Consider this your personal yoga class. In IHP mode, SmartMat guides the user via visual and audio interface through a personally designed Asana sequence. Each pose is divided into 3 phases.
Alignment - in the initial alignment phase, SmartMat will determine if the practitioner's hands,feet and other body parts are in correct placement on the mat. SmartMat will give audio and visual indicators for recommended corrections based on the users personal practice.
Balance - After alignment has been established, SmartMat "zooms in" for minute balance corrections. To determine "correct balance" ,SmartMat has a baseline reading for each Asana, and combines this with what SmartMat has learned about YOU ,your body type and achievements in your practice.
Perfect Pose - There is no "universal" Perfect Pose; so this is a relative term to you, your body and your practice. Perfect Pose mode is where you hold the pose, focus on your breathing and perhaps fine tune your pose through actions such as engaging the pelvic floor.
This is probably the most controversial aspect of the SmartMat Feature set. With In Class Assist, the user will bring SmartMat to a public yoga class, do their own Asana flow or follow a video. ICA functions both visually and with audio which can be turned off for a public class.
Through a fascinating learning process, ICA will determine which pose the practitioner is in real time, offering real time guidance on alignment and balance. SmartMat also records a running record of a users practice, allowing them to review and track their progress and precision implementation in the various poses.
What is the Difference between In Class Assist and In Home Private?
In Home Private mode allows you to select a yoga class on your SmartMat app, follow the sequence and receive real time adjustments and score from SmartMat. Think of it as "yoga video 2.0." Whereas In Class Assist you may bring SmartMat to your Public Yoga class or do your own flow at home, and SmartMat will determine your sequence of poses offering you real time adjustments on placement and balance. These adjustments can be done using audio or visually if you need to maintain silence during a public class.
How do you actually determine a "Perfect Pose?"
This can be a tricky one. For example, if you ask 10 different "yoga" teachers what is a perfect Downward Dog, you may get 10 different answers. In reality there is no "exact science" to Asana practice with an initial basis of theory in Patanjali's Sutras, to more modern specifics in Iyengar's Light on Yoga, to the dozens of accepted variations and evolutions of modern practice and science. With SmartMat, we try to define a conservative "middle way" for the Perfect Pose that takes into account user height, weight, Ape Index and various micro-readings determined via the calibration process.
Tell me a little more about the calibration phase.
When you first unpack SmartMat, you need to go through a calibration process where you put in basic information (height, weight, gender, age). Next, you will lie down on SmartMat so it can determine your Ape Index (ratio/length of torso/arms vs. legs), which is important for calibration. After this, SmartMat will take you through a series of poses, negotiating with you and suggesting adjustments as it determines what is, in fact, your "Perfect Pose" in the initial controlled clinical calibration phase. SmartMat will use this information as a baseline for recommendations during your practice sessions.
Will SmartMat measure and adjust "groundwork" such as Heroes Pose and Pigeon pose?
Short answer is YES! SmartMat is trained to recognize almost every yoga pose out there and give meaningful feedback. On some poses, balance is less relevant than alignment so SmartMat will adjust feedback accordingly.
How will SmartMat recognize poses with similar hand and foot placements?
Great question! This is best explained with an illustration of Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and Ukatasana (Chair Pose). Both have effectively the same foot placement, however you will find that for Mountain Pose the weight is more or less distributed equally on the four corners of the feet. Whereas in Chair Pose the weight is approximately %75 on the heels and %25 on the toe pads. Much will be determined in the initial calibration phase and furthermore, SmartMat will learn about your practice and grow with you, making real time adjustments and calibrations according to your achievements and feedback.
Can SmartMat be used during Hot Yoga Sessions?
Yup, we love Hot Yoga, and the electronic components in SmartMat are rated to withstand up to 110F and any sort of sweat, so you will be safe. Your smartphone is another story, however, and you may want to bring a protective sleeve for it during Hot Yoga class.
So SmartMat will talk to me during my Yoga Practice?
Well yes. She (SmartMat is female) will give you feedback in a few different ways. There will be a live "heatmap" on your Smart device, which will first take you through a sequence to adjust for alignment; and then after alignment is settled it will adjust for proper balance. You may optionally set the feedback to be only visual (if you are in a public class), or audio and visual if you are practicing privately.
Does SmartMat work with Yoga Props (block, strap, bolster)?
You may use all of these, and SmartMat will recognize a Yoga Block as such. Due to the uniform surface spread of a Block, it will not be able to give detailed feedback on balance; however, alignment readings and adjustments will be read correctly.
What about this tech dongle thingie?
This is a low profile device that attaches to the front of SmartMat with a series of eletrostatic magnets (similar to the charger cable on a Mac laptop), and doubles as a phone/tablet stand during your practice.
Can I wash SmartMat?
Yes, you may use a light non-abrasive spray to clean the surface.
How long will SmartMat hold a charge?
SmartMat is initially designed to hold a charge for 6 hours of practice without requiring a recharge
How do I charge SmartMat/How long does it take?
You plug the tech dongle thingie via micro USB to any USB charger. A wall socket will charge it to full power in approx. 90 minutes
Can SmartMat be used by more than one person?
Well not at the same time; however you may have multiple users. Each user will require their own calibration.
Can SmartMat be used by a teacher in a group setting?
This is coming in Phase II, which is not ready for release just yet. It will involve a "controller" app for the teacher, which will link into all of the students' SmartMats. The teacher will get real time feedback on students' practice for tracking and adjustments. This can be done live in a class, or a teacher could teach a class over the internet and monitor their students' progress in this way.
Will SmartMat require an Internet connection to function?
Except for the stated case above - Nope. It will simply require linkup with your smartphone/tablet, which does not require an active Internet connection to function. Yippie!
Will SmartMat work on all floor surfaces?
We have tested SmartMat to work perfectly on hard and flat surfaces and most carpets.
How am I supposed to see my Phone/Tablet while I am practicing?
Ohh. . we thought about this one long and hard. SmartMat has an integrated phone/tablet stand that will prop up your device near the front of the mat for easy viewing with minimal footprint and impact.
What are the dimensions of SmartMat?
24 x 68 with a 6mm thickness. (you would never know the difference)
What is the weight limit on SmartMat?
60 lbs to 300 lbs. After 300 lbs we cannot guarantee accurate readings on single limb poses (such as the eagle), although multi-limb poses will still register effectively. We had to set a cutoff weight for the sake of cost-effective manufacturing and durability.
What Material is used in building SmartMat?
The insides of SmartMat are a conductive grid placed over a piezoresistive layer. This is sandwiched seamlessly on top and bottom by a custom yoga mat material manufactured in an eco friendly manner that eliminates the toxic emissions often found in PVC manufacturing process. This process also ensures the durability of SmartMat, which is designed to be used in Daily practice for years.
Does SmartMat roll up?
Yup. SmartMat rolls up seamlessly around the tech dongle attached to the end, and can be carried just like a "typical" yoga mat.
Why do you call it "Yoga?" Don't you know that Yoga is a complete system consisting of 8 parts, of which Asana (physical movement) practice is only one part?
We know. But 80% of people reading this page and probably purchasing our product won't. We would prefer to have a minor (and socially accepted) semantic mishap rather than confuse (and possibly alienate) people who otherwise would never have the chance to experience "yoga," asana, or whatever you would like to call it. Creating smart-products that address the other "limbs" of yoga is on our roadmap for future products as our company develops.
I am a Yoga Teacher, should I love or hate SmartMat?
Well, technically speaking both love and hate are dualities that lead unto the other, but semantics aside, most professional yoga teachers that have had a chance to experience SmartMat seem to really love what is going on. You can read this blog post by one right here detailing her thoughts and experiences's https://smartermats.com/staying-true-to-a-tradition-and-open-to-change
Yoga teachers also need to know that they will be an integral part of the SmartMat community because we will be opening up the "Yogrammer" language which allows qualified teachers to use our interface to create and distribute interactive yoga programmers through SmartMat. This means it is your sequencing, adjustments, video and voice coming though SmartMat to YOUR students.
This will allow SmartMat to become a community hub. It will complement the current teacher/studio model and leads to a better experience that helps us as practitioners become more aware of our bodies and responses to the world around us.
