dance cardio workout

Marvelous things happen beneath the skin in the heat of the sweat bath. The capillaries dilate permitting increased flow of blood to the skin in an attempt to draw heat from the surface and disperse it inside the body. The bather's skin becomes cherry red. The heart is pressed into a faster pace to keep up with the additional demands for blood. Impurities in the liver
kidneys
stomach
muscles
brain
and most other organs are flushed out by the faster flow of juices. The skin and kidneys filter the wastes
excreting them in sweat and urine.

Exercise Your Heart!

Some researchers claim that the rapid flexing of the heart and blood vessels in the heat of the sweat bath is a healthy exercise that puts little more strain on the heart than strolling on level ground. The increased capillary volume
they say
keeps blood pressure normal. Other medical people
however
qualify their commendations. One Finnish study observed that whereas blood pressure of healthy persons remains approximately normal in a sweat bath
there occurs a marked reduction of pressure in persons suffering from high blood pressure. However
this effect is only transient


How Hot Do We Get?

While the surface temperature of the skin may rise as much as 1O degrees C
inner temperature increases up to 3 degrees C. This is the "fever" that Hippocrates and generations of medical people after him sought
and is created as one reclines in a sweat bath! Of course it is unlikely that "every disease" can be cured by fever
but it is common knowledge that many bacterial and viral agents do not survive well at temperatures higher than normal body temperature. It is also possible that damaged cells repair themselves quicker in fever conditions due to the increased metabolic rate. Recovery from illness then comes easier and quicker.

The inner temperature rise also affects the function of important endocrine glands
the pituitary in particular. Located in the bottom center of the brain
the pituitary is known as the master gland because its hormones regulate both metabolism and the activity of other glands such as the thyroid
adrenal
ovaries and testes. Urged by the heat
the pituitary accelerates the body's metabolism and affects the interplay of several of the body's hormones. Some people have gone as far to say that sex drive is increased and growth stimulated in the sauna bath.

Exercise Your Lungs Too!

The oxygen needs of the body increase by about 2O percent so the lungs
another important eliminator of body wastes
join in the body's quickened pace. (The lungs' rapid exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen is hindered in some sweat baths. In high humidity water condenses on the tiny alveoli where this exchange takes place and breathing may be slightly more difficult. On the other hand
if the air is too dry
as occurs in many American saunas
mucous membranes may become dry and damaged.) Clogged respiratory passages are opened by heat
giving relief from colds and other minor respiratory problems. Sweat bathing is not recommended for those suffering from pneumonia or other acute respiratory diseases.