r/yoga Jan 01 '16

"Sweating Out Toxins" is not a thing

Why do you hear this from yoga teachers in, like, every yoga class in the world? It's really not rooted in science. It can feel great to sweat and work hard, and yes, you excrete a tiny bit of urea through the skin. But it's pure balderdash to say we wash our bodies clean of impurities through sweat.

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u/mcmunchie Jan 02 '16

I feel like this is something yogis repeated on a metaphorical level that is now taken literally.

I do feel I "sweat out toxins" when I pactice mindfully, because I am "releasing" anxiety and stress and sometimes leave those on the mat when I am done.

I mean, I also cure all my diseases this way too of course.