I have always enjoyed exercising in the great outdoors until I was hit by a car a few years ago. I now love the benefits that YOGA has provided me, EXCEPT the SMELL??? I constantly emit a mildewy smell like my clothes were left in the washing machine too long. Which BTW did happen but I threw those clothes/bras/pants away.
So, I bought my own mat. I fold it in 1/2 then roll so the outside doesn't touch the inside. I wipe it down before class. I don't really sweat too much. I know I'm sensitive to smells in general and if s/o else has strong B.O. in class I need to move, but I cannot move away from me???? I am 50 next month...could it be hormonal changes making me smell like that? Anyone else experience a mildewy body odor? I also wonder if it is the fact that I was on so many medications for the last few years during rehab and those toxins are making me smell like this?
Let me know what you think?
I know my "essence" has changed quite a bit. It doesnt smell mildewy but it doesnt smell good. And this is why rest homes are stinky maybe? lol.
This isn't related to practicing yoga, but while I was breastfeeding my son, I went through a period of time where I was really stinky. Even after showering I would still smell. I mentioned it to my husband and he said he had noticed also, how mortifying! Anyhow, it went away after I stopped nursing so I am attributing it to hormones. I think you're on to something! Check with your doctor. Good luck.
This is something I would discuss with the doctor. You could possibly has some kind of undiagnosed sinus condition, could be from meds you took/are taking, could be something going on with your hormones/body chemistry. Get to the doc and see what they say.
So, it sounds like you only get that sensation when you're practicing your yoga, could it be the studio in which you're practicing? Or is this the only somewhat strenuous exercise you do? Do you smell it when you jog or perspire? Do you smell it on your skin or clothes? If not, is it possible that you have a sinus issue? I've had that experience before where there's a horrible odor but when I ask others they don't smell anything, only to realize that the smell is in my head, and it goes away once I get all the stuff dried out or when the sinus completely drains.
When my husband was a teen he had this exact problem. I remember he had to take some sort of medication for a while.. so I would guess it is Hormonal..
Speak with your doctor.. you are not imagining this. I remember this very vividly..
your yoga instructor could help give you more information on this matter. It is true that when you practice yoga you detoxify your body. The more that you practice yoga, the less your body odor will smell and usually bad breath too. You could ask your partner/friends if they've noticed a difference in your smell to help give you information too. good luck!
This may have nothing to do with your situation but I haven't eaten any beef, chicken, pork, or turkey in the last month and I don't even need to wear deodorant anymore. I eat fish, though. Consider your diet.
Hi - like another poster below, I've done hot yoga for a long time. My clothes are soaking wet by the end of class. So they smell like that after a washing if I don't get them into the washer immediately after class (which normally doesn't happen!). In any event, I've found that the only thing that works to fully get rid of the smell is to wash my yoga clothes and towels I use during class in hot water. I know it's not very green, but these are the only loads I do in hot. I don't ever have that problem anymore. I think what's happening is your yoga clothes are retaining a little bit of the bacteria that causes mildew because they aren't being brought to a high enough temperature in the water when you're washing them. Your yoga mat can be left outside to dry and sprayed down with febreeze after class. I highly doubt that your body is emitting a mildew odor.
I don't think it's the mat. However, you might want to experiment with a giant-size beach towel on the mat. Perhaps stitch two beach towels together to make a mat sleeve.
You own perception of odor may very well be a result of the various meds. Have you been checked for yeast or other fungal infections?
Do you get the same perception after, for example,
climbing stairs or walking briskly?
Good luck!!
I practice Hot Yoga and find that my clothes often smell mildewy. The best thing that helps is to soak my yoga clothes in Vinegar and then wash. I add a couple of drops of tea tree oil in my otherwise scent-free fabric softner.
If you can (talk to your DR) you might consider a liver detox diet for a little while. It might be hormonal, but I'm skeptical.
Hope that helps.
Hello!
Just in case this does turn out a laundry issue, I have had great results with adding Borax to the laundry as it washes. We had some towels that smelled "old" even right out of the dryer and were back to almost perfect after only the first wash with the Borax. I add it now to all sport clothes and towel-type laundry.
Good luck with this!
