Most cities are now downgrading to a lenient lockdown control. They are now allowing some shops, gyms, and public amenities to open – but of course, they are still with strict compliance to social distancing and wearing face masks. A lot of yogis are now very excited and looking forward to being able to go back and practice their regular yoga sessions. This may still need to wear a yoga face mask, however. Therefore, adding a yoga face mask in one’s yoga wardrobe is a must-have. However, it does not mean that they can not perk up their mask and just go with a plain old face mask. A lot of people are now hopping into the trend of getting yoga tie dye masks.
There is a lot of considerations when deciding on what kind of mask one should wear during yoga. In this regard, it would be best to take a look first at the gym or studio’s requirements about appropriate masks to wear (most have specific requirements applicable to their business). Also, one could check out the pros and cons of the different types of yoga face masks and how they effectively contribute to limiting the spread of viruses during yoga sessions.
Below are a few of the things that people need to know about wearing a yoga face mask, what yoga mask is appropriate to wear, and things to consider when wearing one:
What to Look for In Yoga Tie Dye Masks
1. It should fit snugly on the face.
Nothing is worse than wearing a face mask that keeps slipping off while moving or doing a yoga pose. It can be so irritating, and it can ruin the yoga session if you have to pause and fix it every now and then. This will also lead to unconsciously touching the face, which should be avoided to keep yourself away from getting sick.
Choose a yoga face mask that comes in various sizes so that you can find a suitable size that would snuggly fit on your face. It should not be too fit, though. It should be comfortable enough for you to breathe properly. It should also have secure ear loops or ties. The appropriate yoga face mask to use should be something that will cover not just the mouth, but should fully cover the nose as well. A comfy fit yoga face mask plays a crucial role in limiting the spread of infectious respiratory particles, for this would restrict individuals from touching their face when adjusting their mask.
2. It should be made with a two-layer Fabric.
As suggested by health authorities, non-surgical face masks such as fabric yoga face masks must at least consist of two closely-woven cloth layers. A one-layer fabric face mask may not be much of a protection against the virus that is spreading. If it is two-layered, there will be a massive difference; preventing more virus particles from passing through. Furthermore, health professionals have stressed using disposable tissues as inserts in yoga face masks to improve safety. Other filters, such as vacuum and mechanical air filters, are strongly discouraged due to their chemical content, which can be harmful to inhalation.
3. Look for yoga tie dye masks that has antimicrobial features.
A mask can be a potential breeding ground of bacteria – especially when it already has sweat or moisture from your skin due to physical activity. Masks with some filter or antimicrobial coating are ideal for physical exercise or yoga. They do not kill or remove the virus, but it can at least slow the production of bacteria on the mask.
Types of Different Yoga Tie Dye Masks
1. N95 respirators
N95 can filter tiny air particles and can help protect against viruses. However, they also reduce the volume of airflow that goes in. Some figures indicate that N95 Respirators decrease oxygen consumption by about 20%.
This type of face mask is not advisable to wear during yoga or even in moderate exercise. You need to breathe while you run or do yoga properly. As the activity level increases, we will need more oxygen; thus, it would be increasing breathing rate so the blood can take more oxygen where it needs to go. That means you need more oxygen, not less. Therefore, N95 masks as a yoga mask are not recommended.
2. Surgical face masks
Unlike N95 respirators, surgical facemask does not give the same amount of protection to a person. They are only intended to protect a person from big particles and splashes. However, surgical masks would not fit snugly to the face. It is difficult to prevent them from falling on the nose even with small movements. This face mask will make it challenging to do yoga because you need to pull it up every time it slips off the nose. This, then, would decrease the effectiveness of wearing a face mask.
3. Fabric yoga face masks
The health authorities allow this kind of face mask to be utilized by the public. Though it may not be as effective as surgical and N95 face masks, this will help the people be reminded not to touch their faces and keep the distance from each other, which is the common cause of spreading a virus. Fabric yoga face mask can also withstand a movement and is soft enough. It is tailored to fit on most faces, so it fits well and will not easily loosen. As you move your head while doing yoga, it is more comfortable.
Things to Remember
- Always follow the social distancing rule.
- When it is not necessary, one should avoid going to group exercises or yoga lessons.
- Avoid hot yoga. High humidity can make it hard to breathe and may cause hypoventilation. Therefore, it would not be recommended to wear face masks during hot yoga – so steer away from it for a little while longer.
- Even though one is wearing a face mask, one should still understand that no mask can protect a person from viruses at 100% – no matter how good the quality of face masks. However, wearing a yoga face mask is one way that can act as a barrier to help in stopping the spread of viruses and help protect you and others. Doing yoga with a face mask is uncomfortable, so one might as well invest in a high-quality face mask that is specially designed for athletic exercises.
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