On paper it may seem as though one yoga studio heated to 105° F will offer a similar environment to another hot yoga studio heated to 105° F. However, not all hot yoga studios are the same and the equipment used to attain those high temperatures can make a dramatic difference in the quality of a yoga session. What is the best heater for hot yoga and what are your options? Learn here!
While traditional methods like forced air or space heaters are common, infrared heat has emerged as the preferred choice for many hot yoga practitioners and instructors. Infrared heating provides a more natural, sun-like warmth that deeply penetrates the body. Unlike conventional heating, infrared heat warms objects and people directly rather than the air around them, creating an evenly distributed, soothing heat that enhances both the physical and mental benefits of your hot yoga session. In this article, we’ll explore why infrared heat is the best option for a truly transformative hot yoga experience.
The Case Against Forced Air for Hot Yoga
Many yoga studios contain traditional forced-air heating systems, which uses ducting and vents to pump air into a room. While it’s entirely possible to reach high temperatures with this type of system, many yoga studio owners and yoga practitioners believe it makes for an inferior environment for yoga.
The combination of hot air being pumped through the room combined with the heat and sweat coming off peoples’ bodies often makes for an oppressively hot environment that’s stuffy and difficult to breathe in. This is one of the reasons many people who are interested in hot yoga quickly develop second thoughts after the first time they try it.
The Best Heater for Hot Yoga – The Case for Infrared Heating
Studios heated with FAR infrared heating systems, by contrast, are able to offer an environment that’s just as hot as the forced air counterpart but that is far more comfortable to practice yoga in.
How is this possible? Instead of heating air and forcing it through a room, infrared heating systems transfer a therapeutic sun-like-warmth directly to people and objects. Unlike forced-air heat which creates an envelope of warmth around the body, infrared heat actually permeates deep into the body’s tissues and core. This results in a hot yoga environment that is much more comfortable and offers a range of health benefits from detoxification to lower heart rate to boot.
Proponents of infrared heat in yoga studios highlight its numerous benefits, both physically and mentally. One of the primary claims is that infrared heat helps the body burn more calories compared to traditional room temperatures. When exposed to infrared heat, the body works harder to cool itself, increasing heart rate and boosting metabolism. This can lead to an enhanced calorie burn during a yoga session, making infrared yoga an appealing option for those looking to elevate their fitness routine. The gentle heat also warms up muscles more quickly, allowing for deeper stretches and a more effective workout.
In addition to the physical benefits, infrared heat is praised for its stress-relieving properties. Exposure to infrared heat has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the body’s main stress hormone, while simultaneously increasing serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter. This combination promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and improves overall mental well-being. Infrared heat also plays a role in relieving muscle pain and stiffness by increasing blood circulation, which aids in muscle recovery after a workout. On the surface, the heat helps improve skin tone by promoting detoxification through sweating, which can flush out toxins and impurities, leaving the skin looking healthier and more radiant.
Overall, infrared heat offers a holistic wellness approach, combining physical fitness with mental relaxation, making it an ideal complement to yoga practice.
Our Experience
Throughout the years we have spoken with many studio owners and yogis. We have found that most people who have practiced yoga in both a forced-air and infrared environments prefer the infrared heat by leaps and bounds. Finding the best heater for hot yoga doesn’t have to be hard! Molly Shea, assistant editor at Yahoo Health, wrote an article in 2015 outlining her experience with infrared hot yoga and why she prefers it to traditional hot yoga.
As a result of their own experience and client feedback, many yoga studio owners are opting to use infrared heating systems and are branding themselves as an “infrared hot yoga studio” as opposed to just a “hot yoga studio.” Although the popularity of infrared yoga has exploded in the past couple years, we have been offering our expert service and quality products to yoga studios since 2007.
Equip Your Yoga Studio with The Best Heater For Hota Yoga Today!
We have worked with hundreds of studios over the years and would love to bring the therapeutic, economical, and eco-friendly benefits of infrared heat to you and your yogis. Heating Green heats more than 1,000 yoga studios. For more information on how to choose what type of heat that offers the best for hot yoga please check out our Yoga Studio Heating page or contact us and we’ll have an expert reach out to you.
