Dubai: This is a sweatshop with a difference.
Called Sweatshop Studios, the Jumeirah Lake Towers-based fitness centre has become a hot topic among fitness enthusiasts ever since it launched a new regime called hot yoga seven months ago.
Canadian expat Hoda Sazegari said she and her partner Siham Salloum were both practising the popular Bikram Yoga – a form of hatha yoga done in a room heated to 40 degrees Celsius – when they got weary of its routine. “So we decided to set up Sweatshop Studios and offer an alternative which we simply call Hot Yoga.”
Scottish head instructor Miki Lee Dale said: “Unlike the traditional Bikram Yoga which runs for 90 minutes with the same set of 26 postures, the modern take at Sweatshop changes the sequence to introduce variety and cover a wider range of body parts. Also distinct from Bikram’s fixed 90 minute schedule, we offer three options of 60, 75 and 90 minute sessions. The temperature we operate in is also lower at around 34-35 degrees Celsius.”
Challenging postures
He said: “A full-fledged 90 minute hot power flow class typically begins with a sun salutation warm-up, emphasising the importance of connecting breath with movement. The class incorporates more challenging postures such as creative standing balance, arm balancing and inversions. There are modifications and variations offered for all poses so that the intensity and challenge is up to the individual. This class generally derives influences from Baron Baptiste, Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga with no predetermined sequence.”
According to Hoda, hot yoga is faster and entails more of a workout. “We also offer other fitness classes like zumba, pole dance and booty barre.”
The principle behind hot yoga is simple. Dale said: “Heat helps you sweat a lot. Hot yoga enables an effective detox, tones muscles and challenges the body to push itself.”
According to studies, certain potentially harmful substances like phthalate compounds and bisphenol are released through sweat. So working out in a heated room helps excrete such toxins.
Another advantage of the hot yoga at Sweatshop is that anyone, including beginners, can try it out. “We have people working out at different levels in the three different schedules we offer. The idea is to be comfortable with the workout,” said Dale.
With temperatures hovering around 34-35 degrees Celsius, the room is warm but not intolerable. Soothing music sets the pace for the stretches and participants gradually flow into the motion.
Hoda said the studio has been specially designed to suit the classes. Regulars who sweat it out at the different classes have even pictured their sweaty selves and posted them on one of the walls. “This is a modern take of yoga and is so different,” said one of them.
Another beginner wanting to enrol said: “I always wanted to try yoga but have shied away because I feel it is too rigorous. From what I’ve heard, hot yoga is also rigorous but a lot of fun as well. So I am here to give it a try.”
While the cost of each hot yoga class is Dh85, various discounted packages are offered. A one-week unlimited introductory package comes for Dh150, while a 10-class package costs Dh800 (with five classes free during the ongoing breast cancer month) and a five-class package for Dh415.
