Bikram Yoga Herald Square premises. Pic courtesy of Bikram Yoga Herald Square

Co-owner Gregory Weglarski tells Relaxnews that he hopes his studio will offer some convenience to busy, overworked New Yorkers. The space, which offers yoga mats and towels included in the price ("New Yorkers don't always want to carry around a yoga mat," he says) opened last month in the city's midtown. Classes draw a range of working professionals for US$30 (RM90.39) a pop, with about 40 to 60 people stretched out in the studio's sprawling 5,000 square feet (1,524 square metres).

The hot yoga practice is famed for getting you toned and flexible, but it comes with blistering temperatures, cramped classes, and Bikram-mandated carpeted flooring that is famed for being less-than-squeaky clean. Bikram Yoga Herald Square instead relies on a type of vinyl called Flotex, which is commonly used in hospitals because it doesn't absorb liquid. "It feels like carpet, but won't absorb sweat, so it's more hygienic," Weglarski says.

To remove the air's funk factor, the studio employs a fresh air system that maintains the yoga room at a consistent 105 degrees farenheit (40.5 degrees celsius) with 40 per cent humidity, no matter what the temperature is outside. Since the system pumps fresh air from outside into the studio, the yoga room stays "oxygenated," says Weglarski.

Other perks include locker rooms stocked with clean towels and shampoos and body washes from the apothecary brand Malin + Goetz, based in Manhattan. Plus the studio wins points for design, with bright, white-washed open spaces, dark wood accents, and faux-grass carpeting in the reception area to welcome your bare feet after you shed your shoes.

http://bikramyogaheraldsquare.com

AFP-Relaxnews

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Luxury Bikram yoga studio opens in New York

GREAT FALLS - At Yoga for Wellness, yoga is more than just getting rid of some stiffness in your muscles. It's a place for anyone to re-center their everyday lives.

"People wanted a place to come and to support themselves and managing stress and healing and becoming more alive," Yoga For Wellness owner Pamela Quinn said.

During their open house this weekend, friends and family alike could get a taste of how everyday actions and mindfulness can improve your mood, no yoga pants required.

"I have shallow short breaths. And it's all here," Juanita Garcia said as she pointed to her sternum. "And they want you to start down here below your belly button. So it was interesting to learn that I don't breathe properly."

Juanita Garcia tried yoga for the first time during the open house and said she was anxious to for a little R and R mixed in with her busy schedule of raising her two year old.

"He's very energetic. He's all boy and he's very energetic," she said.

And while everyone's reasons for trying the beginner's yoga class may have varied, for Quinn, seeing everyone's improvement in such a short period of time just reinforces the reason she became a yoga instructor and therapist.

"It's about healing and every one of us needs to come to a better place of understanding ourselves," Quinn said. "So I love it. It lights my fire and it's called passion."

And while seeing everyone improve their own wellness lights Quinn's fire, adjusting everyday motions can keep Garcia more in tune with herself and left her feeling empowered and ready to take on the rest of her day with her son.

"That's what I'm taking from this, is becoming one with yourself and being comfortable and relaxed-- controlled breathing, yes," she said.

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Yoga Open House stretches bodies and minds