Oxygen Yoga and Fitness
As I entered an Oxygen Yoga & Fitness studio I never dreamed that such heat I was about to turn to would be anything of the sort I had ever experienced in any form of hot yoga. The prospect of a vigorous exercise in a hygienic and pleasant warmth appealed to me. What I learned was a fitness philosophy that actually redefined the way I consider my group exercise.
Throughout this article, I will dissect my own experience with Oxygen Yoga and Fitness, its distinct far-infrared heating to the utterly varied list of different classes, to help you decide whether this particular facility will be the right choice in your wellness practice.
What is Oxygen Yoga and Fitness? More Than Just a Pretty Space
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness is a franchise that was started in 2008 and has grown to about 100 outlets in most of Canada. The first thing that caught my eyes was that the studio was so clean and beautiful, and there were ornamental greenery and decorative shelfie-ready products. The only thing that makes it really special is its franchise model which dictates that local owners would make every studio their own, so the lineup of classes, schedule, and general atmosphere may be a different experience at your local studio. The emphasis on local energy helps make every visit a little more personal.
The use of heat is the main point of differentiation of the brand, though. Oxygen Yoga and Fitness employs Far Infrared (FIR) system of heating as compared to the traditional hot yoga studios that heat the air to scalding levels. This was a new technology that has totally changed my life and the secret behind all the Oxygen experience.
The Secret Sauce: Being In Far Infrared Heat.
What is Far Infrared heat then, and why should it be a concern? The Mayo Clinic identifies far infrared waves as being on a certain portion of the light spectrum that heats your body without warming any air you are in. Practically, this was entirely the opposite of the stuffy stuffy heat in a Bikram studio.
These are the things that I observed in my classes:
Less Stifling: The air seemed purer and fewer. I was not choking in a stuffy, steamy air.
No Foggy Mirrors: Since the air itself is not heated, the mirrors in the studio were clear and there were no condensations, this was excellent to examine my posture.
Warm Cushioned Floors: I even sensed the warmth of the heated floors through the heated floors using my mat which was rather pleasant.
The HVAC system of the studio also recycles and cleanses air and I personally felt this when, several minutes prior to the end of the classes, a puff of cool breeze cooled the room down. Even people who support it argue that FIR heat helps in detoxification and weight loss, but it is necessary to remember that experts believe that the primary purpose of sweating is cooling the body and not draining out toxins as the majority of the detoxification is carried out by the liver.
A Classtrophy of All Moods: My Plunge into the Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Roster.
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness are really shining in terms of the variety of classes. Everything is done in the FIR-heated studio, and the classes go as far right and as far left as meditating and heavy workout. The following are just some of the classes that I tried and others that you can visit:
Yoga Classes
Freedom Flow (All Levels): A fantastic all round class that works on standing poses, balance and twists to create flexibility and strength.
Rise & Shine (Intermediate/Advanced): The first real course was a Rise and Shine course. It entailed balance and energy poses and sun salutations. It was too monotonous to allow me to get better but not too difficult that I could take a nap afterward!
Candlelight Deep Stretch & Relaxation (All Levels): A relaxing course that uses battery-operated tealights to create the atmosphere. We were in yin poses with yielding to deeper stretches with yoga blocks and the teacher was responsive to requests of where we needed to concentrate.
Fitness & HIIT Classes
Tone and Sculpt (Intermediate/Advanced): It was also one of the most difficult whole body workouts that I have ever had. We did weights, weighted bars, booty bands, and Pilates balls in a combination of cardio and strength workout in the heat that made me sweaty.
Barre Fusion (All Levels): This is a high energy course that incorporates a mixture of ballet, Pilates, and yoga poses.
20/20/20 (All Levels): 20 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of strengthening, and 20 minutes of stretching is a perfect full-session sampler.
Table: A peep at the Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Class Spectrum.
Who Should Be Cautious? Significant Safety Advice: My experience.
Hot workouts are not that easy and are not suitable to everybody. Doctors recommend that these classes should be avoided or your doctor should firstly provide a clearance to these classes in case you have heart disease, very high blood pressure, pregnant or on specific medications. The heat may impose an unwanted stress on your cardiovascular system.
Using my experience and professional recommendation, I would stay safe in the following way:
Hydrate Before and After: I make sure to drink at least 2-3 glasses of water prior to class and refill on electrolytes and fluids after to replace the lost minerals.
Listen to Your Body: I have learned that it is necessary not to overdo it when you feel pain. The heat may cause you to feel looser and you run the risk of overstretching and getting injured. Should you feel dizzy, sick, or at a loss, stop, and take a cooling,–never feel in the least obliged to remain in the hot room.
Adjust Realistic expectations: It should not be how much you can sweat, it should be about getting stronger and the benefits related to the mental health.
My Ultimate Conclusion: Is Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Right to You?
My experience with Oxygen Yoga and Fitness has mostly been a good one. The heat is also a lot more comfortable and tolerable to me than traditional hot yoga since the far-infrared heats offer a more comfortable environment and I am also able to concentrate on my practice. This is because the classes are diverse and I will never feel bored and can attend a session depending on whether I need to relieve some of the steam or have absolutely no stress.