Whether you prefer a sweaty stretch session or an energizing series of Ashtanga postures, there’s no doubt that yoga is beneficial to people of all ages, abilities and flexibility. But when it comes to hot or non-hot yoga — which one is for you?
Sarah Clark is the yogi behind the Amaryllis Yoga Studio, a facility that offers hot and non-hot yoga classes.
The difference between the two classes is, well, the temperature of the room. She explained that hot yoga is practiced in a room heated to between 38 -42 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels of between 40-65 per cent.
“Essentially, you create a tropical climate in which to do yoga,” she remarked. “The heat allows the muscles and tendons to stretch… you get a bigger range of movement in a shorter period of time.”
But hot yoga classes aren’t for everyone. Those with diabetes, heart problems or high blood pressure should stay away from the heated rooms, said Clark.
The non-hot studio stays steady at between 22-24 degrees Celsius. But that doesn’t mean you won’t work up a sweat. Vinyasa classes, for example, warm up the body from the inside out.
Whether you prefer a hot or non-hot studio, Clark said the benefits are the same. Yoga works and stimulates every system in the body, from muscles to organs.
“Both variations bring youth back to the body,” she said. “You still get a workout, burn calories, build muscle. But it’s not only for the physical body, it strengthens your mental self.”
To help figure out which type of yoga works for you, the Amaryllis Yoga Studio offers introductory packages: $25 for a week or $49 for a month. Both passes are unlimited, so new yogis can try as many classes as they can.
