SOL SPA, the World’s First 24 Hour Day Spa, has produced an excellent “Hot Detox Yoga” program designed to provide an amazing workout with a great detox effect based on the use of a flow of postures choreographed for detox and practiced inside of an infrared sauna.

Yoga, even without the heat, helps the body’s natural detoxification systems to function properly. The body’s lymphatic system and blood continuously deliver metabolic waste to the liver, kidneys, and digestive organs. This waste, along with other toxins absorbed from the environment, gets filtered and eliminated through urine, sweat, solid waste and even during exhalations.

The finding that yoga twists aid in detoxification most likely began with B.K.S. Iyengar, the founder of Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar taught that twisting asanas created a “squeeze-and-soak” action in both the spine and the internal organs. The organs would become compressed in a twist, squeezing out old blood and waste, and then once released, fresh oxygenated blood would flow in, creating healthier organs–much like a dirty washcloth can take on fresh clean water after being wrung out of the old dirty water. The same concept applies to the vertebral discs of the spine. Gravity and aging tend to compress the discs causing them to lose moisture. Spinal twists will increase circulation to the area, creating a healthier spine. (1)

Twists do help to stimulate our organs, including the organs responsible for elimination, which in turn can help stimulate our metabolism and rate of excretion. Twists also stimulate circulation; release tension in the muscles of the spine, abdomen, and ribcage; and help to create heat. This paired with the 125-degree infrared heat immitted in our HOTWORX saunas, combine to give you the perfect detox yoga environment.

Sweat is the body’s secondary self-detox system. Whatever toxins the liver and kidneys are unable to discharge gets stored in fat cells. A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health detailed the finding of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic in sweat. Trace amounts of BPA (bisphenol-A) have also been detected in sweat. (BPA is found in many commercial plastics and hygiene products.) (2)

Sweat has other benefits though. Sweat is good for healthy skin. The water, minerals and salt hydrate and exfoliate the skin. The uric acid in sweat prevents dry skin. Sweating also rids the skin of bacteria, dirt, and oils. The perfect pH factor for skin is the same pH as in sweat.

Other health benefits of sweating include:
-Exercising at a sweat-producing level releases endorphins that act as natural painkillers.
-Perspiration contains a naturally occurring antimicrobial called dermcidin, which can help fight germs including the common cold.
-Sweating prevents overheating by naturally cooling the body.

It’s important soon after a sweaty Hot Detox Yoga session to remove the sweat from the skin. This is because impurities released through sweat can mix with bacteria on the surface of the skin. Also, the sweat released through the apocrine glands is what creates after workout body odor. At SOL SPA, after your Hot Detox Yoga session, it’s recommended that you use one of our signature Lemon Towelettes. The HOTWORX Lemon Towelette is a 100% Cotton Towel. Served moist, it is rolled and infused with lemon essential oil. These are made for use during and after your HOTWORX sessions to wipe away sweat and toxin build-up on skin. They are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and packaged individually so you can even grab one outside of staffed hours from our vending machine!

Other ways to help your body run at a prime level and enhance your detox include:
-Limit your intake of high-fat foods and alcohol to maintain a healthy liver.
-Drink plenty of water to help the digestive tract flow smoothly and to eliminate waste.
-Replace prepackaged food with whole food.
-Limit or avoid chemicals in self-care products such as lotion and makeup.
-Participate in a regular exercise routine.

Twist, Breath, and Sweat with us at SOL SPA with Hot Detox Yoga, 24 hours a day!

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(1) https://iynaus.org/what-is-iyengar-yoga/

(2) https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/184745/

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Written By: Paige Stuart, VP of Spa Operations