“Bed of Nails” Fad Engulfs Europe and US

Based on the “bed of nails” used by ancient Hindu yogis; a new cure-all “nail mat” fad has inundated Europe, USA and the West; which fans are using for “mental and physical renewal”.

According to reports, over 300,000 of this modern bed of nails, usually measuring 16”X28”, have been sold. It reminds one of famous British-American photographer Herbert Ponting’s 1907 photograph of “a fakir in Benares”, where a bearded yogi lay on wooden bed bristling with metal nails. Recently, about 3,000 people reportedly lay on these mats in a Stockholm (Sweden) park chanting mantras. 

About $50 to $115 can buy one a mat containing 4,000-8,000 spikes which is claimed to possibly contribute to decreasing pain-inflammation, dissolving stress, increasing metabolism, bringing radiance to face, enhancing feet stability, releasing tension, inducing a state of deep relaxation, lowering blood pressure, strengthening the liver-spleen-kidney-immune system, alleviating headaches-fatigue-depression-insomnia, easing spinal problems-sciatica-muscle spasms-cramps-jaw clenching-teeth grinding, activating immune system, relief of flu-cold-asthma, regulation of digestion-elimination, improvement of conditions of cystitis-diarrhea-hemorrhoids-PMS-complicated periods- Fibro myalgia-whiplash injuries, encouraging tissue regeneration, benefiting people with rheumatism and diabetes, etc. It can be basically used over the entire body, it is claimed.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged the European, American and Western seekers to not just sporadically pick-up one single ritual of Hinduism but instead make a methodical attempt at exploring its vast wisdom and rich philosophy.

Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested Westerners to have more patience and go beyond the superficial because Hinduism concepts evolved over thousands of years and needed serious study. There were no short cuts and mishmash created more confusion, Zed added.

Yogi Om Mokshanada (previously Jonathan Hellbom), a former juggler from Sweden; designer of Shakti Mat which is said to be the largest nail mat manufacturer; claims that after a long time spent in the Himalayas practicing mysticism, yoga, and meditation; he wandered down and created a bed of nails with the help of ancient Vedic knowledge, which was named Shakti Mat. He defines yoga as “art of finding unity”. 

Headquartered in Hofors (Sweden), Team Shakti, maker of Shakti Mat, points out: The bed of nails is an ancient tool with its roots in Indian mysticism. With its origin, dating back thousands of years, the bed of nails is a well tested tool for healing the body and releasing emotional, physical and mental blockages. It has been used by Indian yogis throughout time to attain perfection of body and mind. 

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According to its website, this Mat is created through rituals and mantras to the Divine Mother Shakti in “Team Shakti’s temple factory” in Varanasi (India), which is built according to Vastu Shastra. All employees are women who have been initiated in Mantra Yoga. Each mat contains 230 plastic discs made up of 27-36 points and a hole in the middle.  Back of the Shakti Mat contains Shree Yantra. It suggests hanging Shree Yantra in the northeastern corner of your home for prosperity and harmony and protection against accidents.

For optimum results, daily sessions of 20-40 minutes are recommended and it is claimed that even children can use it. Milder version for sensitive-skin and beginning consumers and tougher advanced version for athletes are also available besides an ecologically developed version with spikes of environment-friendly material. About a dozen brands of nail mats can reportedly be purchased over the Internet and in many fitness stores.

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Contributed by: Zed Rajan

Source-Medindia
SRM