The Life Changing Praying Mat: @Timez5

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Article in brief: The author takes us on an old woman’s journey who had joint and back problems and through her first five days of using the Timez5 prayer mat, and how it changed the way she prayed thereafter.

The previous two articles related to the Timez5 mat, “Timez5: The Medical Praying Mat” and “Timez5: The Scientific Praying Mat”, looked into issues such as the long-term benefit of using the mat and the science behind its design. This article, the final one in the Timez5 series, will focus on one person’s journey with the mat.

Umm Mohammed is a 50-years-old mother of 4, and grandmother of 2. She was a teacher for 20 years and was dedicated to educating children from grade 1 to 3. As a result of years of raising her kids and 20 other generations of children, she now suffers from chronological backache, joint and muscle ache that led her not to be able to pray while standing anymore; she now prays in a seated position.

Day 1: “The first day was difficult, I was barely able to finish the Duhur* prayers, my knees ached and it was really hard standing up after every Sujood**” – Umm Mohammed.

Analysis: Although expected, the first time is always the hardest as the body is not used to the full movement of the prayer anymore. The leg muscles are week and the knees feel rusty, however the more the mat is used in prayers, the easier it becomes.

Day 2: “Today was better. I was able to perform both Duhur* and Aser*** prayers on the mat although it was painful and at some point I thought I won’t be able to stand up, I eventually did and I was proud and delighted. I haven’t been able to pray on the floor for few years now.” – Umm Mohammed.

Analysis: The mat is designed to absorb the shock from the knees when sitting for Sujood**, this makes the position harmless to the knees hence not hurting as much when standing up again.

Day 3: “I was overwhelmed with joy to see that I am praying now in less pain; I was able to pray comfortably and felt my knees were much lighter even while going up the stairs, I felt they were more flexible.” – Umm Mohammed.

Analysis: The different positions Muslims take while praying on the floor includes moving the joints a lot, specially the knee, and because praying on the mat absorbs the shock and doesn’t injure the joint, the knee is now bending and moving more than it used to, the rust now is wearing off the knees.

Day 4: “I never thought it would be possible for me to pray on the floor 4 days in a row without medication and cushioning my knee with a pillow or towel. Surprisingly enough, instead of the pain growing, which is what usually happens, it is actually decreasing.” – Umm Mohammed.

Analysis: Praying on the mat allows the blood circulation to increase, it also helps in distributing the body weight so there is no one area that takes all the pressure. This allows the body to continue praying on the floor and decrease the pain at the same time as the muscles and joints are getting used to the movement; this is a very similar reaction to what happens when people exercise and workout.

Day 5: “If my life has changed this much in only 5 days, I can’t wait to find out what happens in 3 months! The Timez5 mat truly works.” – Umm Mohammed.

Three weeks after using the mat, the changes were significantly clear. The pain was decreasing, her knee pain while praying is completely gone, moving was easier and last but not least Um Mohammed was able to pray on the floor again.

We hope you’ve benefitted from our Timez5 series through out those 3 months. To know more about the mat and how to purchase yours, go to Timez5.com

Vocabulary used:

*Duhur:

• Literal: Midday.
• Religious: The Muslim’s second prayers, it is performed during the middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest point.

**Sujood:

• Literal: Prostration.
• Religious: Also known as “Sajdah”, it is the 4^th act in the Muslim’s prayer ritual and it is the position when the forehead, hands and knees all touch the ground together.

***Aser:

• Literal: Afternoon.
• Religious: The Muslim’s third prayers, it is performed during the afternoon, in the period of the day between noon and evening.

This article is part 1 of 3 from Timez5 Series, to read the rest:

1. “Timez5: The Medical Praying Mat”, click here.
2. “Timez5: The Scientific Praying Mat”, click here.
3. “Timez5: The Life Changing Praying Mat”, click here.