We all know that personal hygiene and general cleanliness of the spaces that we inhabit is vital for good health and wellbeing. It is also true that that personal hygiene is vital for the yogi and for the proper practice of yoga. So what is the relationship between yoga and personal hygiene? How can you ensure that your yoga practice is as hygienic as possible?
Yoga and personal hygiene
There is a clear connection between personal hygiene and yoga in the sense that good personal hygiene makes one less prone to illness and infection and hence makes one healthier. One is better able withstand infection and continue with the practice of yoga that would otherwise be missed because of poor health. Personal hygiene is not just about a clean body but also about clean and clutter free surroundings, proper ventilation, access to hygienic water and so on. Obviously these aspects impact the proper practice of yoga.
There is a significant component of yoga that is devoted to proper breathing because of the way it concentrates the mind and oxygenates the entire body and its organs. So the air that one breathes in has to be clean and generally free of dust, debris and harmful organisms to the extent possible. If you perform yoga out of doors, such as in a park, you may think that the fresh air and natural surroundings are ideal for yoga. While this is true, you do have to pay some attention to the air pollution levels in the area and then decide whether your yoga sessions should be conducted outdoors or indoors.
Practical aspects of personal hygiene for a yogi
If you attend a yoga class in Mumbai, you would have realized that there are certain specific challenges: the humid weather of this city, the year round heat, and the cramped quarters that most yoga tutors are required to operate out of! So, daily cleaning and disinfecting of the space as well as any implements is vital. Proper ventilation is also very important for any yoga class in Mumbai, because of the heat, humidity and constant sweating.
Since sweating is something that Mumbai people simply have to live with for most of the year, proper steps for sweat and odour control may be indicated not just for the sake others in your class but also for your own self! Consider wearing sweatbands on the forehead or wrists and choose clothing made from moisture wicking material or carry a napkin.
As someone doing yoga, a yoga class dress code may be useful to consider for other reasons as well. I personally recommend soft, flexible clothing without hard seams. Yoga clothing should ideally be well fitting but not tight. Tight clothing restricts movement and proper blood circulation (and the last thing you want is a wardrobe malfunction while doing your aasans!) So while there is no hard and fast yoga class dress code, it may be a good idea to tweak your yoga wardrobe in a way that you are more comfortable in the yoga class and so that your progress is not impeded by unwise clothing choices.