Heated Yoga vs. Hot Yoga

What is Hot or Heated Yoga? And how is it different from Santosha Yoga? To follow up from our past blog posts about the Common Styles of Yoga (Part I & Part II linked at the bottom of the post), today we’ll discuss and distinguish aspects of yoga that might be confusing: the difference between Hot Yoga and Heated studios vs our room-temperature space.

At Santosha Yoga Collective, we offer a range of yoga classes to suit every yogi’s needs and goals. Yes, our studio has a heater so that we can stay warm in the winter, but we do not offer Hot Yoga. Here’s what you need to know:

Heated Yoga typically refers to the practice room and temps can range anywhere between 70° - 95°F to increase bodily function and mental focus. The range depends on the intensity and the speed of class: if you are taking a quick and challenging flow, the classroom would be hotter and take less time to warm up – the added heat is doing it for you! In comparison to a more restorative and slow class that is cooler to hold poses longer without discomfort. 

Santosha Yoga Collective keeps the room around a comfortable 74° year-round. Many studios offer Heated Classes at 85-90° using infrared panels and added humidity to increase the sweat. Our studio here in Loomis utilizes a standard HVAC system to keep the room warm in the winter and cool in the summer so that you can experience your own body heat without the added intensity.

Hot Yoga is generally practiced in a room set to 95° - 110°F with 40% - 60% of humidity. Hot Yoga is a set sequence (meaning that it is the same poses in the same order every time), which is fantastic if you don’t like surprises. This class was created from the yoga teacher Bikram who brought the style over to North America. Due to standardizing the practice, you could not teach “Bikram'' yoga unless you were certified through his yoga college. Many teachers and studios believe that yoga should not be gatekeeped (in addition to Bikram’s unethical history), therefore pulling away from the Bikram title, methodology, and class atmosphere altogether. What you will commonly find nowadays are Hot Yoga classes centered around ideals of bodily sensation, water breaks, supportive cues, and modifications. 

Hot studios need an advanced heating system that can heat and cool a room within 30 minutes to prepare for the back-to-back class schedule. At Santosha Yoga Collective we are a restored mid-century building in historic downtown Loomis with a regular HVAC system and practices that allow you to heat and cool with your own body’s breath and natural rhythms.

                                                                          [An updated monthly schedule is here on our website, under ‘SCHEDULE’]

Here’s the different types of classes we offer and a short description. The more athletic and fast-paced the class, the hotter the studio is going to feel! 

                                                                                           COOL & RELAXING

Restore 
Our most restful class on the schedule. This classical restorative yoga is passive (not active), where we stay seated or lying down the entire time. Shapes are fully propped with bolsters and blankets, so that your body and mind can get into rest and digest mode and recalibrate the nervous system. Postures are held for 8-10 min each and this class is especially designed for those recovering from illness or injury. All bodies and mobility levels are welcome here. 

Yoga Therapy Movement + Meditation
Join Erin Alexander, CIAYT in an exploration of yoga as an ancient therapeutic practice. This class is designed to support practitioners in finding inner peace and a deepened Divine connection. Together we'll explore a variety of therapeutic practices including postures (both stretching and strengthening), breathing techniques, mudra and mantra designed to support you in experiencing hope and healing on every level of your being. Class includes a brief teaching from the yoga tradition, accessible movement and guided meditation. Come hOMe to yourself. 

Gentle 
Yin is a practice all about finding the balanced center in body, breath, and mind. This meditative class stays mostly seated or lying down, holding postures for 3-5 min each. Props are utilized to release the connective tissues; especially encouraging mobility in the hips, pelvis, and low back. 


                                                                         FOUNDATIONAL & STRENGTHENING

Chair
This class is designed to increase range of motion, improve stability and balance, bring awareness to posture, and strengthen breath function, all while supported by a chair. Designed to be gentle for aging well, recovering from injury, or bodies that need a little TLC. 

Beginner
This fundamental class teaches the basics of yoga, focusing on alignment in postures and confidence with props. You can expect mindful breathing and movement, building to standing balance work and ending with a resting pose lying down on the floor. 

Align
Designed for building mobility, strength, and stability at any stage of life. This class works with the wall, utilizes props, and adaptable movements on the mat to enhance wellness from the inside and out. 
(This hatha class is based in traditions of the Iyengar yoga practice.)

                                                                             ENERGIZING & INVIGORATING

Slow Flow
Vinyasa is breath connected with movement, with Sun Salutations and sequences that get up and down off the floor at a pace that is steady. This class flows like water and builds warmth gradually. Movement is connected and intentional with lots of options available. This class does not include arm balances. Slow Flow winds down into deep stretches before savasana. 

Balance
This class is all about balance in body, breath, and mind. Connecting with the core, you’ll build strength and stability through poses intelligently sequenced from the ground up. Invigorating and challenging balance work in standing postures, with elements of dance techniques sprinkled throughout. 
 
Power Flow 
Our most energetic class on the schedule. Feel empowered and strong building a sense of fire in the body and breath! Vinyasa is breath connected with movement that flows smoothly from one posture to the next. You can expect dancelike movement and athletic transitions that build vigorously and allow for play with optional inversions and arm balances. This class is fast-paced and continuously moving with Sun Salutations, chaturanga sequences (yoga push ups), and core work included.

“Santosha” is a sanskrit word that means contentment. Our Loomis-based Yoga studio brings together decades-long practitioners and new students alike. We believe Yoga is beneficial for every body and will make sure you find the right classes to support your yoga journey. With 24 weekly yoga classes from Vinyasa and Balance, to Chair, Yin, Kundalini, Iyengar, and Restore, our aim is to provide a space of contentment for students and teachers of yoga as we honor movement, holistic wellness, and community as a way of life. We serve the beautiful community of Northern California. 

We offer these yoga styles and many more through workshops, our community room, and themed classes. Please reach out on our “Contact Us!” page if you have a yoga theme you’d like to experience in the beautiful Santosha studio. 

FURTHER READING

• Is Hot Yoga the Same as Heated Yoga? 
• Santosha Blog
  • Common Styles of Yoga pt. I
  • Common Styles of Yoga pt. II