Posted by Barb

Hi Gabrielle,

Wonderful job with the web site.

I’ve been doing Bikram for 4 months and really love it!  I have a question about wiping the sweat.  I noticed in one of the other threads, that you advise against students to wipe off sweat while their practicing.  I sweat profusely and couldn’t imagine not being able to wipe the sweat off of my face or my hands, especially during standing head to knee.  I never wipe my body, just hands and face.  I know that sweat acts as a natural “air conditioner”, but why not be able to wipe just my face?

Thanks!

Barb

Hello Barb

Thanks for the great compliment.

My general rule in class is this:

Only wipe your sweat if it is stinging your eyes. The rest you will get used to.
I guess if something is getting in the way of doing your practice then you would take care of it.

What bothers a newbie, or what a beginner finds challenging is different to the challenges or distractions of a seasoned yogi. I guess we are all on our own path - which thankfully takes on different characteristics over time.

Thinking back, it used to be the same for me. I would use a hand towel or my yoga shorts to wipe my hands before Standing Head to Knee or Standing Bow. It wouldn’t even occur to me now. Perhaps in another few weeks or months you will realize you no longer need to do it either.

Kind regards
Gabrielle

Posted by Barb

Hi Gabrielle,

Yes, the eye stinging from sweat is not fun! 

I’m going to try to restrain from using the towel on a more consistent basis and see how it goes.

Thanks!

Barb

Hi Barb

You know something else? That after a while your sweat will sting you less. I know many students have had the exact problem as you: one day it doesn’t sting anymore. Just a little FYI.

Cheers!
Gabrielle

Posted by Robert

Ha ha - you just reminded me - after a weekend where, shall we say, the diet and fluid intake was “less than optimal” (ie a few glasses of red and some rich food), I noticed that my sweat would sting a little again.

I do not mean to imply the possibly false assumption that sweating in yoga “rids one of toxins” but it does seem to back up the fact that the skin is a powerful elimination system given the right circumstance.

Cheers,

Robert