Is Your Yoga Hygienic?

My Yoga Online - Plantar warts and athlete's foot are not desired benefits of doing Yoga. However, there is a steady increase in the occurance of skin infections and conditions related to communal use of Yoga mats. Even though there are no direct studies linking Yoga to increased skin infections, there is a common element of Yoga studio participation and these increased infections.

Yoga mats are a breeding ground for viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Yoga participants walking around the room pick up and spread infectious agents on mats. The mats become moist and warm, and then rolled up, acting as a perfect environment for growth.

With teachers becoming more creative with Yoga flows, where one has stepped multiple times with the feet easily becomes a place for the face and other skin contact points to rest as well.

Keep your practice clean:
*Be aware of your personal hygiene and address any skin conditions. Respect your yoga neighbors and do your part to reduce the spread of infectious agents.

*Clean any communal Yoga mats prior to using them. If possible, use your own mat and also make a point to clean after each use.

*Wear your socks to your mat. Walking barefoot around a studio and then jumping on a 'clean' mat can still spread germs.

*Ask your studio owners what type of Yoga spray they are providing. Is it natural antibacterial product and in a concentration strong enough to kill germs? Reusing yoga rags over and over to clean mats can do more harm than good. How often are rags changed? Most antibacterial sprays need to be in high concentration and left to sit for an extended period to truly be effective. Again, best to use your own mat and clean it properly at home after every use.

We enjoy sharing our energy and experience with others in our yoga class, but we do not need to share everything. Keep your mat clean and engage your studio owners to insure that they are taking measures to keep your skin and the rest of your body healthy.

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