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?
The phrase Perfect Pose flows off the tongue and we like it for its alliteration but SmartMat�s concept of Perfect Pose is better described as the pose of your personal excellence based on the specific calibration of your body and its needs. SmartMat takes into account the user's height, weight, ape index, and various other micro-readings to help determine where there�s room to evolve and find YOUR optimal alignment. Now, we know there's no exact science in asana practice, but with SmartMat's feedback, you'll be empowered and encouraged to always keep moving to your personal best.
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.
How does SmartMat take things into account like arms, hips and breathing?
SmartMat is actually more accurate in these aspects than most people would imagine. We liken it to plotting the center of a circle though waypoints on the exterior. Let's take an example. In your next yoga session, try Warrior Pose III first with your arms right at your sides. Then, try it with your arms extended overhead and out in front of you. Notice how that can affect the balance in your feet when you shift your arms? SmartMat "measures" your feet, and can often gather some understanding about what's going on in your arms based on what's happening in your feet. Now we understand that nothing can be perfect or absolute. So, part of the SmartMat program is to offer verbal and visual guidance (like a traditional class) on arms, hips, breathing, etc. And of course, some aspects will be up to the practitioner to do the final correction.
How does SmartMat account for people with limitations or in specific rehabilitation for an injury?
The fascinating thing about how SmartMat is created is that it actually "learns your body" the more you practice
with it. Take this scenario for example: You're in Downward Dog, and SmartMat notices that you don't put much pressure
on your right foot because you're nursing an injury. It will attempt to make a correction. If you are not able to make the correction, it will note that and at the end of the practice allow you to give it feedback on why. In your next practice, it will then work around the limitation. This being said, keep in mind that SmartMat is not a medical or rehabilitation tool, and you should always consult your doctor first and foremost over everything else.
OMG, the Mat gives you a score, isn't "scoring" against all the principles of yoga?
We use the word "score" loosely here. It's really more of a personal assessment measured against your personal baseline that SmartMat establishes through a calibration and summary of recent sessions. Some days you may be a little off in your alignment, and you can use your personal score to see where there may be room for improvement. It's designed to help you focus on you and your practice alone and avoid unhelpful comparisons with others.
I still don't like being scored even if it is against myself.
Ok, We have an option to turn scoring off in the Settings - see that was easy :-)
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.
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.
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.