Most, if not all, yogis are looking forward to the day they can go back to their beloved yoga class, even though it means wearing a yoga face mask. This article will discuss the different types of yoga face masks, which yoga face mask would be the best one to use, and some incredibly valuable words of advice from a doctor.  

Deciding On What Type ofYoga Face Mask Is Best To Use

If you are unsure what kind of face mask to use for yoga, consulting with your gym or studio for their specifications and recommendations is always a smart idea. Alternatively, take a look at the listed benefits and drawbacks of three common yoga face masks and how they match up during yoga.

N95 Respirator Masks

N95 respirators are in limited supply in certain places, and their availability to health workers would be a priority. However, if you have an N95 respirator that you brought before and have them stocked in your house, you will be inclined to take it with you during yoga or exercise. However, this type of mask might not be the best option for physical activity, even though what you do is just mild workout. N95 respirators face masks protect against coronavirus because they are capable of filtering about 95% of some tiny particles from the air. But, because of such function, it will also directly lower the amount of airflow passing through the mask.  The oxygen difference is significant, especially when doing yoga or some other physical exercises. Some statistics suggest that N95 respirators minimize oxygen consumption by about 20%. You do deep breathing while running or doing yoga. As the number of activity increases, the muscles need more oxygen, and the respiration rate increases so that the blood can take that oxygen where it has to go. That implies that you need more air, not less.

Surgical Face Masks 

Surgical masks do not offer the same level of safety as N95 respirators. It fits loosely to the face and is intended to protect from splashes and larger-sized particles (not viruses that are aerosolized). Just like with N95 respirators, the healthcare staff also needs surgical masks. Furthermore, even though you have of it lying around, they seem to slip off easily. I t is difficult for some people to prevent it from falling down the nose, even if you just do normal movement;  some kind of physical activity makes it much harder and can reduce their effectiveness even further.

Cloth masks 

For the general use of the public, the CDC suggests cloth masks. While wearing cloth masks will not be able to block COVID-19 respiratory droplets, they serve to remind us to keep an appropriate social distance and not to touch our faces — two things that can significantly reduce the spread of the virus. The benefit of cloth masks is also that they are soft enough to withstand any movements. With an elastic that is tailored to fit most faces, it stays in place better than other types of masks - it gives you more convenience when you move your head and go through all the yoga flow.

A Physician's Piece of Advice when Wearing a Yoga Face Mask 

It is best to follow CDC recommendations and speak to your health care professional as to what is right for you and whether or not wearing a yoga face during yoga is appropriate for you. However, make sure to pay particular attention to your body's signals while performing some physical exercise as well. Yoga face masks can make you feel hot and a bit uncomfortable. Remember that stopping and relaxing for a while is safer than passing out. If you experience excessive heat, the difficulty of breathing, dizziness, or other symptoms, give it a break and also do not try to start back up directly.

Things to Keep In Mind When Going To Yoga with a Face Mask

Doing something with even just a little bit of semblance to normal life is something we hope. But, while yoga face masks are required, not everybody can go back to the gym or studio. It may be dangerous to wear a face mask during yoga in some instances, and you would be better off staying to workout at home. 

Hot yoga with a mask 

It is not recommended to do hot yoga with a face mask on. Studios or gyms have small and enclosed spaces. The humidity level of the room hen doing hot yoga can reach up to 60 or 70 percent when heated intensely. High humidity makes it harder to breathe. Having yogis, even the healthy ones, experiencing slight shortness of breath or dizziness is not unusual. Any kind of face mask aggravates that. 

Menopause 

As mentioned above, wearing a face mask can make you feel a little bit hot and uncomfortable. Women are particularly vulnerable to vasomotor symptoms during menopause. Wearing a yoga face mask could produce internal heat that can cause a hot flash (even in a cooler yoga class). 

Respiratory and other health problems 

Someone who is suffering from chronic health conditions or for those who are immunocompromised should check in with a primary care doctor or specialist automatically. You should inquire about the risk of COVID-19 and the safety of wearing any type of yoga face mask. This is especially true for people who have respiratory disorders, like asthma, emphysema, or COPD. 

Tips when doing Public Health Yoga

Yoga studios are the haven of viruses, both with a high human presence in a small space and an extensive surface area to contact an infected person. Below are some tips to avoid the spread of the virus. 

• Avoid being in close contact with anyone, crowded spaces, and unsafe conditions. Think twice about attending to group yoga classes in the meantime.

• If you find the studio you are in is too crowded or do not see it adequately sanitized, do not hesitate to leave. 

• If you have enough money, consider paying for a yoga instructor.  

• All surfaces in the yoga studio should be thoroughly cleaned using an appropriate cleaner prescribed by the CDC.

• Wash hands frequently. Wash them up to your wrists and under your fingernails for 30 seconds (you can sing the happy birthday song twice).  Hand washing is far more efficacious than just making use of hand sanitizer.

Second option: Use hand sanitizer

Use an appropriate amount of sanitizer and make use of a product that has at least 60% alcohol. Rub it thoroughly in your hands for 30 seconds.  Avoid wiping your hands to dry. Allow it to air dry.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Avoid sharing things such as water bottles, towels, etc.