Millions around the world practice Yoga on a daily or weekly basis for balance, flexibility, core strength, focus and relaxation. Water is one of the essential items for hydration and recovery during a Yoga class. Here's why supplemental Oxygen should also be a part of your Yoga routine.

The topic of this blog is especially important to me. I have been practicing Yoga for nearly ten years. I first tried it in 2011 when a friend introduced me to “Hot Yoga” (also known as Bikram Yoga) where sessions takes place in a heated room. Most Yoga classes take place in an air-conditioned studio. I not only began to take weekly classes, but also practiced at home on my own. As a runner who stays physically active, I found the benefits of Yoga to be great for flexibility, posture, balance and core strength – along with pain-free running.

As Yoga studios around the world begin to re-open during pandemic, many people will return to their weekly routine. Not everyone had the resources (or time) to practice Yoga at home, so for many it may feel like starting over again after a 3-4 month pause. Your flexibility won’t be the same. It will take time to regain your core balance. Your focus will be off. You will need to relearn breathing and relaxation techniques. And most certainly, it will take you longer to recover after starting again.

BRING WATER – BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO BRING OXYGEN

There are three essentials for everyone for a Yoga class: your mat, a towel and water. And as I return to class, I will be adding a fourth essential – my canister of Boost Oxygen. As I’ve learned during my time with Boost Oxygen, oxygenation for your body is just as important as hydration during exercise, a workout or sports. And during my time practicing Yoga, I’ve also realized that focus, breathing and recovery are essential as you continue to practice and improve. Just as water keeps you hydrated and refreshed during a Yoga class, supplemental Oxygen can also help you before, during and after your session.

SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN FOR FOCUS BEFORE CLASS

I enjoy every Yoga session, but the hardest part for me is always the beginning of each class. I was either coming from work or a family function and my mind (and focus) was elsewhere. If you’ve taken Yoga, you know focus is important for balance for your poses and positions. Without it, you struggle early in class to hold your balance until you regain focus. If you have the same focus issues at the start of your class, I encourage you to take a few minutes to use supplemental Oxygen like Boost Oxygen. Your body uses Oxygen to help improve mental acuity, and the air we breathe contains around 21% Oxygen – the majority is useless 78% nitrogen. Oxygen levels can also be less at higher altitudes. Boost Oxygen is 95% pure Oxygen in portable and convenient canisters. It not only helps you with focus before class, but helps you begin a proper breathing routine before your session. Related Article: What's Wrong With The Air I Breathe?

SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN FOR BREATHING AND RELAXATION DURING CLASS

At its core Yoga is about breathing, balance and relaxation. You need proper focus to improve on all three during class. When you take a minute to pause between each pose or position, water for hydration is important. But supplemental Oxygen can also help you “reset” to maintain a proper breathing technique. If you’ve taken Yoga, you know you can feel anxious or overwhelmed when trying to hold a position or pose. You can experience dizziness. Your heart starts to race. Breathing and relaxation is key to overcoming these feelings and maintaining focus and balance. Providing your lungs and blood cells with the proper Oxygen they need to keep your mind focused and your body energised is just as important as water during your Yoga session. Boost Oxygen comes in portable canisters (the same size as your water bottle) and can be placed near your mat along with your water for a quick recovery combo when you pause between positions.

SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN FOR RECOVERY AFTER YOUR CLASS

After an intense Yoga class (and depending on your age) your body will probably feel the effects for a day or so. We all remember how we felt as beginners after our first few classes. As Yoga studios re-open and we return to class, those who’ve paused their routine for a few months will certainly feel those aches and pains again. You can help the recovery process with supplemental Oxygen! The reason why your body needs so much Oxygen is to power your blood cells to maintain, repair and restore your organs, tissues and muscles. Your blood cells use Oxygen to break down the food in your stomach to create nutrients, which in turn power your body. Your body also uses that Oxygen to restore (or create) an estimated SEVEN BILLION new blood cells on a daily basis.

Without proper Oxygen intake, your blood cells don’t get the Oxygen they need to maintain, restore and energize your body. When you are Oxygen deficient you begin to feel tired or lethargic. Your immune system can weaken, and you can begin to feel sick. You can also experience shortness of breath, headaches and dizziness. Supplemental Oxygen like Boost Oxygen can help provide your body with 95% pure Oxygen for faster recovery, both immediately after class and the days following as you prepare for your next session. Related Video: Oxygen's Role In The Human Body

So, as you get ready to re-join your Yoga class, bring your mat, towel and bottled water – and now you know why you should also bring a canister of Boost Oxygen!

Bill Banks (boostoxygen.com)