I became completely addicted to hot power yoga when I was living in London. Yes, it was the endorphins, but in a city where it was cold and wet about 10 months out of the year, it was the only way I could get my sweat on. And you know what sealed the deal? When I started getting compliments on my skin from my husband’s grandmother (thanks, Nan!).
After moving to San Diego, it took about six months, and lots of try-before-you-buy packages, before I finally found my new yoga home, Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla. Why am I telling you about my yoga studio? Well, one morning I was wandering bleary-eyed into my 7am class when I happened upon a piece of paper explaining the benefits of infrared heat.
Before that point, I had never really thought about it. The room seemed a little warmer than usual, but not nearly as hot as what I was used to. Here is what it said:
As a beauty treatment, the penetrating heat of infrared heat therapy works wonders by reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to helping heal scars, wounds, and cuts, it also smooths skin’s texture, lessens coarseness and reduces pore size. Infrared heat therapy is also a natural way to aid aches and pains from arthritis, fibromyalgia and other health-related disorders.
Instantly, it all made sense — the aches and pains I had been suffering with for years were disappearing (I am not even exaggerating). I’m more flexible now than I have been in for as long as I can remember. And the added bonus is that each yoga class comes with a side of anti-aging?!
So, what exactly is infrared light? After a bit of research, I discovered that it is radiant heat and the natural part of sunlight that feels warm to the skin. It is free of the nasty UV rays making it completely safe (FYI: they also use it in hospitals to warm newborn babies). It feels less stifling than the heat traditionally used in saunas or hot yoga studios because the heat works directly on your skin while only 20% of the infrared light heats the room.
In the words of Trilogy owner Leila Dora, “Infrared heat is a type of light. It is very similar to the light emitted by sunlight except that it is invisible to the naked eye. What that means is that is instead of heating the room with a heavy, overpowering heat, it gently heats the body from the inside out.”
Benefits of infrared heat:
*Assists the body with detoxification
*Gives skin a healthy glow
*Boosts metabolism
*Increases blood flow and circulation
*Stimulates immune system
*Reduces appearance of wrinkles
*Helps to diminish scar tissue
*Aids in the recovery of injuries
Know what else I found? Infrared heat also helps to breakdown fat and cellulite. Nuff said?
Have you tried a yoga class with infrared heat? Or maybe you are a Trilogy tribe member? Tell us about it in the comments below!
