3 May Ray Child May 3, 2012 Taking Care of Your Hair and Skin Body, Hot Yoga, Life dallas hot yoga, hair care, skin care 0 Comment So you are regularly attending classes at Sunstone, working hard, sweating like crazy, all the while loving the change that your yoga practice has created in your life. BUT, as you spend more time with your practice, you are noticing changes in your skin and hair. We have been there! Here are a few tips on how to care for your external body during your practice... Fellas--this isn’t just for the ladies :) Skin: Although we think of skin as external, it must be cared for from the inside out. Be mindful of what you’re putting into your body--it will be reflected by your skin’s hydration and clarity. Hydrating throughout the day and eating lots of fruits and vegetables (which contain lots of water naturally, as well as antioxidants and nutrients) will help you feel good during class, and your skin will benefit looking fresh, even dewy. Embrace sweat! Through sweat, your body is flushing out toxins and opening up the pores. Resist the urge to constantly wipe away sweat during class. During class we are grabbing our feet, touching the floor and the mat -- no matter how recently you pedicured your paws, you don’t want to be touching your face after Forward Bending, or Hands to Feet. Just let the sweat flow. (Consider trying a YogiToes hBand or other type of headband to keep your hair out of your eyes and face.) Before class make sure your face is clean. You do not want to wear dirt, grime, or makeup into a heated room--all of these things can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Lots of companies now make pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths that make it easy to wipe off makeup or environmental buildup before your workout. Do not load up on lotion or scented body products before entering the hot room. Your neighbors will not appreciate your Drakkar Noir in hot, sweaty proximity, and recently moisturized skin turns into a slippery mess when you’re sweating hard, making it tough to keep your grip in Standing Bow. After class, your pores are open and clean. Rinse off using gentle, non-comedogenic cleansers, followed by light moisturizers, if necessary. If you struggle with breakouts on your back, be sure you’re getting everything thoroughly rinsed and cleaned back there; some of our students have successfully treated their back breakouts with Neem and Tea Tree Oil. Over time, you may find that your skin reaches its natural balance and you don’t have to use heavy creams or stringent cleansers. Finally, make sure you are changing your sheets and pillowcases regularly. Hair: If you’re noticing your hair is a little drier after consistently practicing in the heat, consider putting a little hair oil or leave-in conditioner on your ends before class. It will soak into your hair throughout class and protect it from the heat. Just be sure you aren’t using a super-pungent product--it will be even more powerful in the hot room and distracting to you and everyone else. (Some people use coconut oil instead of buying expensive hair products.) Many of our students and teachers have found that they use shampoo much less frequently--if at all--as their hair and scalps adjust to the heat and humidity. Experiment with what works for you and your hair type. Some people just rinse and condition their hair after class. Others shampoo every other day or just a couple of times a week. Consider trying a sulfate-free shampoo that will not strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture. Remember that your exercise routine has changed, and so your skin and hair-care regimens will, too. Related Articles Skin Care In The Heat In Texas we are aware that there is just no real way around the heat or exposure to the sun during the summer months. Without even enjoying a day of swimming, hiking, biking, or sun bathing, we are exposed to the elements just walking to and from our car, driving, and running errands. Be Engaged Throughout Your Class Last week, we introduced Sunstone’s vision as well as the Five Teaching Principles that guide our teachers in helping our students cultivate their very best selves. These principles are our core values, the foundation on which we've built our studios. They are equally valuable for you, our students. They create the landscape for what your experience with us can be like. Whether you're in your second class, or well on your way to building a body, mind, and life practice, these words describe behaviors that can turn what seems to be the simple action of taking a yoga class into something truly life-changing. Yoga Tips for Beginners: What To Know Before Your First Yoga Class Yoga Tips for Beginners: What To Know Before Your First Yoga Class If you’ve been thinking about getting into shape, you may have considered taking a yoga class. Yoga can be a great way to either get in shape or maintain your level of fitness. It builds strength and flexibility while simultaneously allowing you to focus on your breathing. By practicing yoga, you learn how to control your breathing, even during some rather challenging poses. This in turn helps you in virtually every other area of your life, as it allows you to remain calm and stay in control of your emotions. Yoga also helps you become more in tune with yourself. Therefore, you have the chance to reap both physical and mental benefits of practicing it. Here are some top yoga tips for beginners: Set Your Intention — Focus Wristbands as Guides What does that colorful piece of plastic on your wrist mean to you? These days, everyone — from politicians to tweens — seems to sport a wristband as a simple reminder of something meaningful to them, whether a way of living, memorial to a friend, or a special occasion. At Sunstone, we acknowledge certain steps along your hot yoga journey with colorful Focus Wristbands to remind you of your focus for that point in your practice. Why You Should Invest in Coaching in 2020 Consider a few questions: Healthy Holiday Eating: How to Enjoy Your Holiday and Stay on Track Comments are closed.