Many fitness facilities, including outdoor workouts, now require a yoga face mask during yoga and other physical exercises. The CDC recommends that face masks or coverings be used in public while they are around other persons because this helps prevent coronavirus spread. On the other hand, WHO has warned that wearing face masks will cause sweat to collect while exercising, making it harder for you to breathe.

For the present time, you should stop going to group exercises or yoga classes and try to distance yourself. Even if you are observing social distancing at the gym, having plenty of people inside where there is loads of heavy breathing (and unmasked, at that) will trigger an atmosphere where the coronavirus can more easily 

Facts You Should Know About Coronavirus and Why You Should Wear A Yoga Face Mask 

• The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) advises that you must wear a face-covering or face mask when in public areas or when you are around people with whom you do not live. Below are some facts about the coronavirus and wearing a face mask that you need to know:
• Face masks with numerous levels can contain bigger respiratory droplets that are expelled by coughing, talking, or sneezing.
• Some experts claim that coronavirus is airborne. There is no scientific evidence to confirm this officially, though.
• A face mask should fully cover the chin and nose. Always, to prevent any unwanted gaps, it should be snug but still comfortable enough to wear.
• Disinfect the mask before and after putting it on.
• While many states around the nation implement Covid-19 mask policies, and several gyms and fitness studious are still closed, many people have already been doing their outdoor workouts and yoga classes with their yoga face masks on.
• Doing yoga with a yoga face mask on is uncomfortable, so you should indulge in a high-quality mask explicitly designed for use during physical activities such as yoga. By using a yoga face mask, you will not be going to end up in a soggy or filthy surgical mask.
• It is worth to note that wearing a yoga face mask can make the exercise feel slightly more difficult because it can slow down the flow of air in that you can breathe (making the workout seem more intense). A yoga face mask is usually safe for healthy people; however, if you have a cardiovascular or respiratory disorder, consider reducing the exercise intensity and consulting with your doctor. If ever you feel dizzy, light-headed, or out of breath, slow things down or immediately stop exercising until the symptoms disappear.

What to Look for When Buying A Yoga Face Mask 

It would be best if you will not do yoga in an enclosed space without wearing a yoga face mask for your own safety as well as the safety of everyone else, particularly when you are around with other people you do not know. If you cannot endure wearing a yoga face mask, you should do yoga alone and in an open space. But for anyone who is fully prepared to head back to the fitness centers, where you need to wear a yoga face mask, here are things to keep in mind when considering purchasing a yoga face mask.

Fabric

When it comes to performing physical activities with a face mask on, the fabric is the most significant factor. The material really matters. Cloth masks are okay for daily activities. However, cotton can very quickly become damp, which can directly affect breathing and also promote the growth of bacteria. Therefore, you need to have a yoga face mask that is made of a breathable fabric.

When it comes to fitness activities like yoga, N-95 masks, and surgical masks are not really the best choices. While there is a need to protect yourself from getting the coronavirus, you would still want your face mask to be comfortable and breathable while you are moving.

Studies have proven that fabrics like muslin, flannel, tightly woven cotton, and even tea towel fabric can significantly minimize respiratory pathogens’ spread. As per information from the WHO and Stanford University, have layers of polyesters, rayon, nylon, and polypropylene can also be effective, 

Snug Fit 

While you are doing yoga, there is nothing worse than having a yoga face mask sag or slip off. It would just be plain frustrating. It also messes up your yoga because you must always stop for a moment to fix it. When you fix it, you will most likely have to touch your face, which should be avoided at any cost if you want to stay safe.

Search for a yoga face mask that can be customized and one that has various sizes available, so you can pick the one that suits you best. Stretchy ear loops are better options since it fits snugly and will not fall off around as much – unlike surgical masks and those that you need to tie around the head.

Antimicrobial features

Moisture and sweat can be the breeding ground of viruses and bacteria. When you do yoga, you sweat a lot, so it is ideal to look for a yoga face mask that has some sort of filter. Although they may not directly kill or destroy a particle of the virus, having these extra barriers will not hurt.

None of the face masks (no matter the type) may provide 100% protection from the virus, regardless of their characteristics. But wearing a yoga mask is yet another method that can serve as an external barrier to deter or slow down virus spread. This will help to protect you and other individuals.

The chance of getting COVID-19 is not eliminated by donning on a face mask. You still have to practice and observe smart behaviors. If you happen to sweat a lot during yoga or exercise, the ACE suggests that you bring a spare mask with you to change in mid-workout. Moisture can directly reduce the efficacy of the mask.

There is still a need to continue to follow other precautions too. Face masks are intended to be used as a tool for preventing disease transmission, along with other precautions such as observing social distancing, hand washing, and avoiding face touching as much as possible.