Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
Sadhu nail boards are acupressure devices for meditation and recovery.
Nail boards are yogic tools that originated in India over 2,000 years ago, also known as 'bed of nails' or 'sadhu boards'. Our feet and palms have thousands of energy points and nerve endings linked to all internal organs and systems of the body.
Standing on nail boards regulates the nervous system and trains the mind to respond to any stressors with resilient calm and focus, like an ice bath without the cold!
Besides promoting stress resilience, nail boards also offer great physical benefits, such as relieving muscle tension, improving blood and lymph circulation, and releasing endorphins, which are natural 'feel-good' hormones for self-healing.
What experts say:
“ I use nail boards when I’m stressed out and I want the same feel good effect that I get from the ice bath, but without actually getting into a cold water. It gives a cool state of relaxation, focus, and endorphin release. ”
– Ben Greenfield,
author, BGL podcast host,
health consultant & speaker
Physical benefits:
• releases stress, anxiety and fears
• enhances focus, clarity and presence
• improves emotional intelligence & ressilience
• promotes better sleep
• deepens meditative state
Mental benefits:
• releases tension in muscles & fascia
• improves blood & lymph circulation
• endorphins release for physical recovery
• regulates nervous system & heart rate
• promotes foot health
“ I’m a big fan of the nail board as a tool to facilitate relaxation (ironically) and a more calm/centered state. I typically stand on it for 5-10 minutes and feel dramatically more calm and centered during and afterward. Much like an ice bath, it’s a great tool to regulate one’s relationship to the stress response. ”
– Aaron Alexander
Align Podcast host,
The Align Method author.
What does it feel like?
It meant to be challenging at first. For the first 3-5 minutes you might experience a strong physical and emotional response. With the help of long exhales you can relax your muscles and mind. Using the "om" sound is very helpful too. In about 5-10 min you will get over your threshold, pain will disappear, and mind-chatter will dissolve into a brilliant silence. This ultra presence is so worth it!
Dynamic nails follow anatomy of your feet to stimulate all points.
Our boards follow the anatomy of your feet to access and stimulate more pressure points. Inside of each board, we build-in a flexible rubber cushion under the nails, so the nails move up and down. Dynamic nail boards target points you wouldn’t otherwise get.
This also makes moving onto the board more gradual, avoiding both the shock at the start, and the loss of benefits as you get used to it.
Handcrafted & planet-friendly masterpieces for meditation.
Selecting a material for our boards was a long and thoughtful process. only natural, clean and long-lasting materials for mindful practice on the
Each board is carefully handcrafted in Los Angeles with only natural, clean and long-lasting materials for your mindful practice. We use top quality hardwood walnut or bamboo for the base, custom copper nails with smooth points, robust inner cushion from industrial rubber, and rose quartz stone in the heart of the engraving.
It takes us 3 days to create your board. The process requires manual, machinery and digital skills, as well as patience for each nail to be inserted into place manually one-by-one to create stunning sacred geometry pattern. Our intention is to create a woodworking art and a sustainable choice for those seeking to enhance their body-mind connection in an conscious manner.
“ These boards are so special. The benefits I have experienced have been truly transformative and have helped my athletes and I achieve a new level of physical and mental well-being.
Beautiful and intentional in every way, it’s a joy to bring them out and have a good conversation with my body’s current tension as I let go of what no longer serves me, and invite the present moment to share the gift of peace and calmness. ”
– CJ Kobliska
Movement Coach Manager,
Director of Programming @ Gymnazo
BODY MIND ENERGY
BODY MIND ENERGY
How to use it?
Before nail boards practice it is best to warm up with movement and breathwork. Watch our free video tutorial, and check safety guidelines and contradictions on our instructions page.
Nail boards are yogic acupressure device that originated in India over 2,000 years ago, also known as “bed of nails” or “sadhu boards”. Our feet and palms have thousands of pressure points and nerve endings linked to the entire body. By stimulating acupressure points on the feet, our nail boards assist circulation to relief physical tension, quiet restless mind, and release stuck emotions.
The point is not to endure the pain or competing for time, but to transform the sensations into deep relaxation with breathwork, even for a short period to start. Initial discomfort will fully disappear into calm presence after about 5 min of long exhales and relaxing the whole body.
CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL: The intensity of the practice depends on the distance between the nails. The closer the nails, the more support, making the practice easier. We now offer 8mm boards for beginner and 10mm boards for intermediate levels. The intermediate board is a good match for someone who enjoys walking barefoot, cold plunges, consistent meditations, or other mind-body practices. The beginner board is better suited for someone who is more sensitive. Also, 8mm boards have steel nails covered with copper (only for indoor use), and 10mm boards have 100% copper nails.
DYNAMIC vs STATIC BOARDS: Dynamic nail boards have a rubber cushion installed inside each board for nails to move up and down and to follow anatomy of your foot when you stand on them. Dynamic boards offer more gradual sensations that rise within 1 minute. In static boards nails don’t move up and down, thus sensations are more immediate as soon as you step on them. Static boards also don’t have our engraving to offer more affordable version to those who need it.
BENEFITS:
• fitness recovery
• releases stress, tension & blocked emotions
• quiet restless mind
• enhances focus and clarity
• balances energy level
• deepens presence & meditative state
• improves sleep
PERFECT FOR:
• meditation
• yoga
• biohacking
• acupressure
• healing therapies
• stress relief
MATERIALS:
hardwood walnut, rubber inner cushion, rose quartz crystal, 100% copper nails for intermediate OR copper-plated nails for beginner boards.
PLEASE NOTE:
All our nail boards are hand made, so please allow up to 10 days for production. Keep boards away from liquid, sand, extreme heat and cold to avoid damage. Practice on non-slippery surface like a yoga mat and always close the boards right after each practice to avoid accidents. Supervise children and pets around nail boards. This practice is not advised during menstruation, pregnancy, wounds, or any acute diseases.
FAQ:
Can nail boards puncture my feet?
Nail boards do not puncture the feet because the weight of the person's body is distributed evenly over a large number of nails, which reduces the pressure exerted by each individual nail on the skin. In physics, this principle called pressure density. Still, practice caution when using nail boards: don’t jump on or off of them and always close the boards right after practicing to avoid running into them. As we all know, putting all your weight on ONE nail is not safe. Gradually place each foot in the middle of each boards and enjoy safe practice!
Does it hurt?
Nail boards meant to be challenging first couple minutes. Everyone has different sensitivity, but in about 5 min discomfort will disappear, releasing physical and mental blocks. This state can give rise to blissful and even euphoric feelings, heightened mental clarity, and a lightness throughout the body. With consistent practice, the body and mind adapt, growing resilience to distractions, triggers, emotions, and stress through steady focus and calmness.
Should I wear socks?
While exploring the practice and allowing your body to adapt, you have the option to wear socks. Once you feel ready, you can progress to practicing barefoot.
How often and how long should I practice?
Time is not the goal, your reaction to stimulation is. Start with at least 1 minute on the nail boards and gradually increase the duration each day. Optimal daily practice on the nail boards is 10 min. Longer meditations of 30-60min can be done about 2 times per week. As always, listen to your body, slowly increase your time and observe effects.