Day 18 ! Glow Yoga

The Electromagnetic Spectrum. It may ring a bell from high school physics or it may not but we probably all know more about the electromagnetic spectrum than we think. At one end of the spectrum sits radio waves (high wavelength, low frequency -used for the…radio…unsurprisingly) and at the other, gamma rays (low wavelenth, high frequency – goodie waves used to kill cancer cells). Everything you can see is classed in a narrow band of the spectrum, aptly named visible radiation, which is somewhere between microwaves (used for heating up yesterday’s takeaway. And also surprisingly convenient for making an easy poached egg substitute) and ultraviolet waves (used by clubs to embarrass people who should use Head ‘n’ Shoulders but don’t).

Don’t leave yet. This is going somewhere fitness related, I promise. Because of…infrared rays! You can’t see it (part of the invisible spectrum, between microwaves and visible light for those who still care about the spectrum). But you can feel it!

And feel it you do, if you try out one of Good Vibes Glow Yoga class. The difference between this studio and other “hot” yoga places is that most (disclaimer: unverified) “hot” yoga studios usually use a traditional method of creating the “hotness” – by heating the air to warm up the body. Infrared heat heats the body directly which should (disclaimer: unverified again) apparently allow for deeper tissue penetration, increased blood circulation, ridding more toxins etc etc. (And probably a lower power bill). But a more tangible effect, if you sometimes find it difficult to breathe in a hot yoga class, should be that because the body’s not being warmed by hot air, the air doesn’t need to be so hot and therefore it should be easier to breathe. A theory I shall test if/when I try a traditionally-heated hot yoga class!

I have to admit, before I signed up to this class, I didn’t exactly read the detail so wasn’t expecting it to be a “hot” yoga class. I thought “Dynamic Glow Yoga” was just a cool catchy name for a yoga class but in hindsight, this should’ve been a clue for Miss Marple. I knew it wasn’t going to be a glow-in-the-dark yoga class but that’s about it (not a bad idea though right…one could have special UV-patterned clothing. Or UV paint which you could use if you wanted to send messages to the cute guy in the class behind you).

But I figured it out p.r.e.t.t.y quickly once the class started. Once my hands started slipping on the first downward dog. Some better-prepared people had brought a towel to place over their mat and I would highly recommend this. And water. Anyhow, this was a minor (self-inflicted) distraction as instructor Choi kept our attention’s focused on our postures, our feelings and our thoughts. Her style was more energetic than some of the calmer yoga classes I’ve been to, there was a mix of physical instructions, spiritual thoughts and a few giggles and jokes. Some moves were unexpected (pretending to roar like a lion) and actually quite releasing. Chanting and exhaling deeply is one thing, going “raaaaaa” is another! A cheerful final move in an overall, light-hearted and funny class.

The Need To Know:

- Where: Good Vibes Fitzrovia (another branch in Covent Garden)

- Nearest Station: Goodge Street (3mins)

- When: Various glow yoga classes throughout the week (also spincycle and power plates classes)

- How Much: Intro £40 for 30days, else £14/£16 for spincycle/glow cycle single classes or membership packages

- Special Note: The studio is a cheerful place. With the spincycle and powerplates classes, there is music, chatter and mobiles – not the typical quiet, zen-like yoga studios.

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: Those who want a more energetic, lively yoga class.

- Sweat Scale: 9/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Mainly toning

- Complexity: 6/10

- Fun Factor: 7/10

- Changing Facilities: Showers, separate toilets, hairdryers

- Instructor Inspiration: 7/10. Some good face-making!

The Stats:

- Total Time: 51mins

- Calories Burnt: 91 (surprisingly low I thought)

- Average Heart Rate: 86

- Max Heart Rate: 115

Studio Manager Nahid and Instructor Choi!

Beautiful Post-Workout Summer Strawberries (which I hope were not genetically modified. Nor contain any meat).