Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 2.13
“The perspiration exuding from the exertion of practice should be rubbed into the body (and not wiped), as by so doing the body becomes strong.”
In traditional ashrams during a yoga class, teachers are often heard saying ‘Don’t wipe off your sweat, rub it back into your body to absorb the pranic energy that you just created’.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, one of the traditional texts of yoga suggests rubbing the sweat created during a yoga practice, back into the skin. The text states that as the body begins to break out sweat, rub it immediately back into the skin to preserve vitality without the loss of prana. The text further states not to push the practice to the limits where the body perspires excessively. Excessive perspiration leads to loss of vitality (ojas).
Why do we sweat? Sweat is the water that the body releases when heated. Sweat contains small amounts of minerals, urea and lactic acid. It is odourless. When sweat comes into contact with bacteria on the skin, it tends to smell a certain way. Sweat is a way for the body to regulate its temperature and when the sweat evaporates the body becomes cooler, making the blood cool down. Through circulation, the entire body cools down with the flowing blood. Both in the yogic understanding and scientifically, sweat is a means to detox the body and mind.
Importance of Sweat in Yoga: According to traditional texts, yoga is a process of purification of physical body, the nervous system and the mind. Energetically, it is understood in yoga that heat cleanses the body, just like heat is used to purify metals like gold and to remove its impurities. Yoga texts also suggest letting the body stay at the same temperature for some time after the asana practice. Heat for our body is the fuel that imparts warmth and liveliness. Heat also makes us have the will to do things. This same warmth helps keep our body soft, supple, flexible and free flowing.
Wiping off the sweat after a yoga practice is not recommended as it exposes the body to the coolness of the air. It cools down our inner system of its much needed warmth. To keep the heat of the yoga practice in the body, it is recommended to rub the sweat back into the skin which helps create a protective layer on the skin surface and retain heat created with yogic practice. A yogi wants to preserve energy and to preserve the prana life force for higher endeavours. Rubbing sweat back into the skin after yoga practice helps this objective.
When can I Shower? Wait to take a shower at least 1.0 to 1.5 hours after an asana practice.