THE HOT ROOM AT HOME
We know that NOTHING can replace the experience of practicing in the hot room, and we long for the day when we can welcome all of you back to our studios. (For those unaware, while gyms were allowed to reopen in the fall, the Governor is still not allowing “indoor group fitness classes” to resume.) Of course, we’ve introduced Self-Practice Sessions at Upper East and Flatiron as a creative solution to the problem. But we know that doesn’t work for everyone.
So we’re left with a home practice!
We’re proud of our Live Stream offerings and love getting to see all of you in your natural habitat with kids and cats wandering through from time to time. Did you know we now offer a wide variety of classes — more than 30 a week — to help our community stay connected to their practice. But it begs the question… what is hot yoga without the heat? Our owners, Jen and Donna, talked about that a few weeks back in an interview we did. And we’re preparing a follow-up post in the coming weeks all about the things we’ve learned about ourselves and our practice throughout this pandemic. But today’s topic is focused specifically on recreating some of the conditions of a hot room.
As we head into the dead of winter, it becomes even more important to keep ourselves (and our space) warm… if not to recreate the optimal conditions, then at the very least to stave off injury. We polled some of our longtime practitioners to learn about products they were using, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer a great list of reliable options to get you started.
SPACE HEATERS (SMALL)
Bovado Portable Space Heater (10” x 6” x 6”) - $39.99
New Yorkers are often dealing with limited space, but for once that works in our favor. The best advice we can give is to find the smallest space where you can still comfortably practice. The will make it easier to heat quickly and efficiently, and most importantly, to maintain those conditions throughout. These little heaters pack a punch. Two or three arrange directly around your mat works beautifully.
SPACE HEATERS (LARGE)
Taotronics 1500W Space Heater (6” x 6” x 17”) - $69.99
These are a taller-style space heater for those with a bit more space, or a bigger room to heat. Still relatively compact, they can be stowed away in a corner or closet. And they cool down quickly, which is a nice feature. Two of these would do wonders for your space.
HEAT LAMP
TDP Far Infrared Heat Lamp - $129.00
A different kind of option, this heat lamp packs quite a punch. Many of our students have been using it and has gotten rave reviews all around.
HUMIDIFIER
Pure Enrichment MistAire Humidifier - (8” x 6” x 9”) - $39.99
We often talk about the “optimal conditions” of the hot room, but one key component is the humidity. Especially in New York City apartments, the air can sometimes get dry. It’s important to remember that moisture is an important aspect of air quality. If you’re going to the effort of setting up some space heaters, it may not be a bad idea to set up a humidifier. This is the one we love to recommend.
SAUNA SUITS
BodySuit Men’s and Women’s Sauna Suit - (Various Sizes) - $45.99
There are hundreds of these for sale across the internet, but we found THE ONE. It’s a nice balance of function and style, and best of all — you can tell the quality of the production. It stands up to even the most rigorous HIIT workout, and won’t get in your way when you’re trying to mail that perfect Standing Head-to-Knee. Coupled with a space heater, this packs a great 1-2 punch.
Again, we know that nothing can replicate the hot room, but we also know that we need to do our best to optimize our space until the vaccine can be widely distributed. We can not wait to get our community back into the hot room, but for now… why not upgrade your home studio?