While yoga face masks aren’t approved for medical use, the CDC says face mask alternatives can still help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Surely, not all cloth masks are the same. How can you get a hold of the best yoga mask?
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase across the country, government officials are now encouraging everyone to keep their faces covered at all times whenever they’re outside – even if they don’t have face masks. Some even require people to wear face shields to ensure protection from the virus.
While there is a shortage of face masks, and only the medical staff are allowed to wear N-95 masks, the CDC says that many cloth face coverings can still be effective in helping in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The CDC also says that these face masks can help those who don’t know they have the virus from transmitting it to others. The CDC says as long as the face masks follow these five guidelines, then they are most effective:
- They allow for breathing without restriction
- They are secured with ear loops or ties
- They are washable and can be machine dried without damage or change to the shape
- They fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face
- They include multiple layers of fabric
Keep in mind that these face coverings aren’t the particulate-filtering N-95 respirators or surgical masks. As mentioned previously, those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for first responders and our health care workers, as our current government mandates recommend.
This is good news for those who want to stay fit in this time of crisis. The coronavirus shouldn’t slow you down from self-improvement activities, such as attending yoga classes or working out in the gym. All you have to do is to protect yourself from getting the virus. This means you should have a yoga mask supply, rubbing alcohol, a face shield, and other necessary protection.
How effective can a yoga mask be?
If you’re curious about how effective a yoga mask can be, here’s a comparison between surgical masks, N-95 masks, and cloth yoga masks.
N-95 face masks
In some areas, there’s a short supply of N-95 respirators, and they’re usually reserved for first responders and healthcare workers only. This means that the general public isn’t supposed to have them. However, if you already have an N95 respirator mask in hand, you may be tempted to wear it during your yoga class or when you exercise.
But here’s what you need to know about N-95 face masks: This type of face mask is NOT the best option for any physical activity. Even if you’re just doing mild physical activities, you should never wear it. N95 face masks help protect yourself from getting the virus – they filter about 95% of tiny particles from the air. But in doing so, they also reduce the amount of airflow that gets through the mask, which can greatly affect your breathing.
This difference in oxygen is very important. N95 face masks may be able to reduce your oxygen intake by almost 20%. When doing yoga, you must be able to breathe fully. And as your activity level increases, your respiration rate also increases. Because of this, your muscles will demand more oxygen, and this only means you’ll need more air to perform such activity.
Surgical face masks
Surgical face masks may not be able to provide as much protection compared to N-95 face masks, they’re still effective in preventing the spread of the virus. Because they fit loosely to the face, they can protect you against larger particles and splashes. However, they’re not ideal when it comes to aerosolized viruses. And just like N-95 masks, they are reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.
And even if you have surgical face masks in hand, you can’t deny that tend to slip very easily. For some people, it’s hard to keep them from sliding down the nose, even with just normal movement. What more if you’re doing physical activities, like yoga? Any kind of physical activity makes this harder and can only mean that surgical masks aren’t perfect for the job.
Cloth face masks
Cloth face masks are the best choice for those who are doing heavy physical activities, like yoga. Cloth masks don’t reduce the amount of airflow that gets through the mask and are soft enough to withstand movement. Because of this, they are ideal for this job. Even the CDC recommends cloth face masks for the general public.
While they aren’t as effective as N-95 masks and surgical masks from blocking coronavirus droplets, they serve as a reminder for us to stay distanced from other people, and not to touch our faces. These are two things that can help spread the virus.
Where to buy a yoga mask
If you’re looking for an effective yoga mask, then check out the Yoga Society Shop. They offer face masks that you can actually breathe through while doing yoga. The Yoga Society usually sells online yoga apparel and courses, but to help protect each other, they’re also working to limit the spread of Covid-19. They want to ensure that many people can access face masks. Below are some of the face masks you can buy when you shop from them:
Face Masks Variety Pack
Amidst the pandemic, there is something inspiring about people all over the world taking collective action to protect one another by wearing face masks in public. All the face masks are made with 2 layers of fabric, following the guidelines of the California Department of Public Health.
The 4-pack variety contains the following designs:
- Blue
- Black
- Olive
- Rose
4-Pack Black and Olive Face Masks
This 4-pack variety is made with a cotton jersey material, and it comes with 2 olive and 2 black masks. Each mask is made with a 100% cotton lining. It also has a double layer fabric to meet the California Department of Public Health guidelines. These masks not only help you keep you and your loved ones safe, but they also help provide jobs for the Yoga Society team during this difficult time.
Every purchase you make from the Yoga Society helps support the small business and the manufacturer’s business, and provides jobs to dozens of people. Stay safe!
Image Source: Pixabay
Subscribe to our RSS-feed and follow us on Twitter to stay in touch.
