P90X is a seriously intense program. While the need for a mat is apparent in Yoga, the Plyometrics workout is seriously high impact. The Manduka Black Mat provides cushioning and support for those repetitive landings, protecting your joints and ensuring a solid, non-slip contact with the floor. While other Yoga mats might keep you from slipping during regular workouts, they usually can’t provide the comfort and extra cushioning of the Manduka Black Mat.

The reason for a mat in Yoga is apparent to anyone who has done a Yoga workout before. As you twist, bend, and stretch, you need a surface that will hold you steady and prevent slipping. Many moves require your feet and hands to be on the floor, some distance apart, while you stretch and reach. Carpeting or hardwoods would have you slowly slipping, getting you into an ineffective battle with balance. The Manduka Black Mat prevents slipping even when you are drenched with sweat. If you know Yoga X, then you know how valuable this feature can be!

Plyometrics sends you soaring into the sky and landing lightly like a gazelle. Okay, most of us can’t land silently. But as we work on perfecting our soft landings and easy take-offs, our joints need the extra cushioning of the Manduka Black Mat. The mat is a nice quarter-inch thick and helps to keep your ankles, knees, back, and hips injury free.

Finally, you can use your Manduka Black Mat anytime you hit the floor. Ab Ripper X and the push-ups in your Chest & Back DVD can both benefit from the surface of the Manduka Black Mat. No one wants their carpet to get sweaty or to get up from crunches with carpet fibers stuck to their back, the Manduka Black Mat provides the smooth workout surface perfect for getting on the floor and getting ripped.

High quality durable materials make the P90X Manduka Plyo/Yoga Mat a great investment for anyone doing the P90X program.

Many people doing the P90X program think Yoga X will be similar to a day off. They think stretching and breathing, maybe some “ommmm”-ing will be the extent of it. The people who think this are in for a shock when they do the P90X Yoga X DVD. This yoga workout is a seriously challenging and very different workout.

Despite the popularity of yoga, there are many misconceptions about it. There are several kinds of yoga. There are types that are more meditative, types that are purely flexibility-focused, and then there is yoga like P90X Yoga X.

Yoga X seems friendly and non-threatening for about the first 15 minutes. On about your 5th Vinyasa, however, you realize that the ninety minute DVD might not be as forgiving as you assumed. Because many people aren’t used to the yoga style of P90X Yoga X, or perhaps not used to any type of yoga, they may not enjoy Yoga X the first few times around.

There is no doubt that some of the Yoga poses in P90X Yoga X are extremely difficult. You may only be able to get halfway into position at first. This is the beauty of yoga; you do what you can, sinking deeper into poses and breathing. Within several weeks your body begins to adjust to the poses as you become more flexible and loosened up, allowing you to reach and twist further. Yoga is a progressive exercise that allows you to go at your own pace, continually challenging you with deeper, more intense poses.

P90X Yoga X requires some people to think outside the box. They may wonder about it’s effectiveness. More than likely they are used to workouts being either cardio or weight training. The terms Cardio and weight training have become so ingrained in their fitness minds that they don’t feel quite as effective doing something like Yoga X, that doesn’t necessarily fit into either of those neat categories. It’s true; P90X Yoga X is extremely different from the other P90X DVDs.

Tony Horton knew what he was doing when he added P90X Yoga X to the series. Recognizing the importance of flexibility, he wanted to give participators a workout that would give them flexibility but still rock their body. Yoga X does just that. You will finish Yoga X knowing full well that you just challenged your body, even without a typical cardio or weight training workout.

No-impact, slow-moving, and deep-breathing, who would’ve thought those qualities could work your body so hard? While the 90 minutes of P90X Yoga X will be difficult, it is equally rewarding and a great change of pace.