Building my own at home hot yoga studio with a 95 degree heat source

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theheartsmaster
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December 3, 2012 at 12:39 am

Post count: 8

#2444

I have read several threads about hot yoga at home and have some questions.

Here is a little background on me.
I took my first Bikram Yoga class in Utah in 2006. I’ve had over 400 Bikram Classes.
I love Bikram Yoga, but I also think the room is simply too hot for safety.

I think Bikram pushes the limits of heat safety:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=54561

Regularly, Bikram Yoga comes close to the heat stress mark of 150.

I’ve also noticed that my sweat smells like ammonia after every class. I hypothesize that I am sweating nitrogen and the nitrogen and hydrogen might be forming ammonia.

With all this in mind, I want to build my own Yoga studio at home with a 95 degree temp.
My belief is that a room heated to 95 degrees would do the following:
1. Provide all the benefits for warming up and stretching muscles that Bikram provides
2. Remove a lot of the risks of 105 degree heat such as heat stress, heat exhaustion, excess loss of sodium, etc.
3. Allow the body to more easily utilize fat stores instead of losing nitrogen

I’m a digital person. By that I mean I like to know the exact temp and humidity I’m working out in.

I have an opportunity to get a good deal on an infrared fireplace type heater, but all of these IR heaters only go to 86 degrees on the thermostat.

I have a few questions on infrared heat.
1. I don’t understand how the infrared heater measures the temp. Since infrared heat is absorbed by my body and objects in the room, how does the heater accurately measure the temp of the room or me?
2. Does anyone know of an IR type heater for under $300 that will let me set it up to 95 degrees?

It seems I have two choices. I can buy an IR heater up to 86 degrees or a Sauna heater up to 150. I really want to find an IR heater that will go to 95 or even 92 degrees if anyone has any suggestions.

Jbigler
Participant

December 3, 2012 at 5:49 pm

Post count: 60

#10107

Thanks for the link to Kenneth Cooper’s article.

I’m with you — I love the Bikram series but believe that many Bikram classes are too close to the heat stress mark of 150… and I believe that 95F with appropriate humidity would be ideal, especially for people with an established yoga practice and some age… the classes would be more enjoyable and safer, with the same benefits.

I have enjoyed infrared saunas that were heated above 120F, so I know that infrared heaters must be available that could easily heat a yoga room to 95F. I understand that the infrared saunas heat the body directly, through radiation, without depending on heat transfer from the air, to allow the saunas to operate at a lower temperature.

I wish you success with your home studio.

John

theheartsmaster
Participant

December 4, 2012 at 4:40 am

Post count: 8

#10111

I found a Sunheat IR fake fireplace heater for a really good deal through a classified ad in my home city. The heater has the power to go over 95 degrees. The problem is the thermostat only goes to 86. I believe IR heaters set to their max of 86 and placed on opposite sides of the room would get the heat into the 90’s, but I would like better control with just one heater. I’m sure a good product is out there, but I just haven’t found it yet.

Jbigler
Participant

December 4, 2012 at 5:27 am

Post count: 60

#10112

That’s a good looking heater — would look great in a hot yoga room. But, if the thermostat tops out at 86F, the heater may be dangerous in a room heated to 95F — the materials and electrics may melt or fall apart, give off toxic fumes, damage your house wiring, cause a fire, etc., even if you don’t try to trick or replace the thermostat. Unless you want to do yoga in a room of 86F or less, I’d suggest you look for a different heater. I’m sure that better heaters are out there… and they may be much more efficient and cheaper to run. Electrical heat can be expensive, so consider a 20A circuit or even 220V. Some searching online should give you some options.

John

theheartsmaster
Participant

December 9, 2012 at 7:03 am

Post count: 8

#10125

I’ve been reading other posts about using polystyrene to insulate home hot yoga studios.

I live in an apartment and will need to move eventually. I found big blocks of polystyrene at Lowes for $14.99 each. It seems realistic to cover all the walls for under $100. One side has two closets and they are interior walls so I won’t worry about covering them. Anyway, someone also suggested I cover the polystyrene with plastic. I need some advice on the best way to cover my walls with polystyrene blocks if I plan to be moving in a year. What is the best way to attach polystyrene to lath and plaster walls permanently or temporarily?
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