Last month we let you in on our exciting expansion plans, and we wanted to keep you in the loop with a little taster of one of the new fantastic features that will soon be found at TPYC (besides the showers of course!): We are installing Infrared heaters!
We had the pleasure of testing an Infrared heating panel at the studio on a cold winters day, were very impressed, and extremely reluctant to hand it back over. Now we can’t wait to share the lovely warmth with you that only this technology – and the sun – can provide. And yes, that is exactly what it feels like: the sensation you may have sought last week by finding a wind still corner for that glowing gentle warmth on your skin!
What is Infrared heat and how does it work?
We are installing ceiling panels that emit infrared waves. These panels give off a radiant warmth by converting light directly to heat, warming nearby objects (so your body) rather than raising the air temperature. This will help keep the ujjayi breath going and the prana flowing, while you can enjoy a much more homogenous warmth throughout your practice – whether you are standing, sitting or lying on your mat.
And there is more good news: warming objects as opposed to air means that the heat generated by the Infrared panels is retained much longer in the room. Consequently, using this type of warmth requires less energy and lowers our carbon footprint.
What are the health benefits of practicing Power Yoga in Infrared heat?
There is a long list of positive health effects of Infrared heat on the body. First of all, Infrared heat is perfectly safe. It is a type of energy that is contained in sunlight and is easily absorbed by our bodies. In hospitals, for example, it is used to keep premature babies warm.
- Detoxifying
Infrared heat increases circulation and body temperature, warming your body from the inside out. It is absorbed much more deeply into your muscular and skeletal systems, the fascia and your organs. So deep down, your molecules will begin to dance and vibrate, and toxins, fat and impurities from your cells will be expelled into your blood stream to then be released as sweat. And guess what? Sweat produced under infrared heat has found to contain 20% more toxins compared to only 3% in sweat produced in more traditional forms of heat.
- Improving and expediting healing processes
Infrared helps to release enzymes, and together with the expansion of capillaries and increased blood flow from the warmth, this increases the elimination of damaged tissues.
- Eliminating stiffness, joint and muscle pain
The deep tissue warmth that is created alongside the increased blood flow helps loosen stiff limbs. As it also aids in healing processes as mentioned above, it is great for (preventing and treating) sore muscles and joints. It can also relieve chronic pain caused by arthritis, for example.
- Improve skin regeneration and elasticity
Infrared heat stimulates the production of collagen, new cell tissues, and rapidly increases skin regeneration, improving skin tone, texture, and elasticity.
- Strengthening the immune system
Infrared heat stimulates your immune system because of the way it warms your body from the inside rather than from the outside. Strengthening your immune system will help fight off bacteria and viruses in your system.
- Suitable of yogis and yoginis with respiratory issues
Because the air itself does not get hot with infrared heat, it is suitable for people with respiratory issues who find it uncomfortable or even risky to go in a heated yoga class. Infrared has also proven to alleviate respiratory problems.
- Fighting cellulite
Because Infrared waves are absorbed so deeply by the cells of the body, it helps breaking down cellulite into a water soluble substance that can be eliminated through sweating.
So, are you intrigued? The panels will be in place early June – let us know how you find them!
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The info above is based on the following sources:
Therapeutic Heat and Cold, Fourth Edition, Editors Justus F. Lehmann, MD, Williams, and Wilkin, 1990
Electrotherapy Explained: Principles and Practice, Third Edition, by John Low, FCSP, DipTP, SRP and Ann Reed, MCSP, DipTP, SRP (Woburn, MA; Butterworth-Hainemann, 2001)
Sauna as a Valuable Clinical Tool for Cardiovascular, Autoimmune, Toxicant induced and other Chronic Health Problems by Walter J. Crinnion (Altern Med Rev 2011;16(3):215-225)
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-far-infrared-therapy/
http://www.ib3health.com/products/InfraredSauna/Literature/FIR%20Benefits.shtml
http://www.infrared-therapy.co.uk/Medical-Info.html
http://www.infrared-therapy.co.uk/Benefits.html
http://www.jett.us.com/media/The%20Health%20Benefits%20of%20Infrared%20Heat.pdf
http://www.infraredradiators.co.uk/Pages/YOGAHEATING.aspx
http://mbodyyoga.com/locations/jacksonville/sanmarco/pdf/InfraredHeat.pdf
http://www.sshcinc.com/PDF/Yoga_3_fold.pdf
http://www.multiheat-energysystems.co.uk/infrared-heating/energy-savings-by-using-infrared-heating-panels