An active body calms the mind. This is the essence of hot yoga. 

Hot yoga is an exuberant form of yoga performed in a very warm and humid studio. Typically, the room temperature is approximately 38°C and has a humidity of 40 percent. It is known to encourage and increase perspiration to help remove toxins while accelerating the body’s metabolism. 

As a hot yoga practitioner, I was very excited to try the new LAVA Hot Yoga Studio in Great World City.  The women-only LAVA Hot Yoga Studio is the first of its kind in Singapore. 

My friend and I signed up for the trial class, and were welcomed by the instructor at the front desk.  We immediately felt the warmth on our feet as we stepped inside thanks to its Hinoki & Hot Stone flooring that has anti-aging and skin benefits. 

We would learn later that this unique flooring system warms our body from the inside thus improving blood circulation and is said to be perfect for those with allergies and vein problems. A distinctive scent called phytoncide (mainly found in coniferous trees such as cypress and pine) permeates the room that puts us in a relaxing state.

We opted for the popular Nature Flow class, a perfect unification of music and hot yoga.  All LAVA classes have soothing original music especially composed by LAVA to boost concentration and efficacy. It uses chakra lighting in the studio. The colour changes according to the union of one’s inner asanas and the chakra healing techniques. The chakra colours reflect different frequencies of light and energy associated with each energy centre. 

“It acts as a guide for natural flow and better efficacy as you execute the various poses,” says Nissa Rashid, the Director of Lava Singapore.  

When metabolism is increased in a “hot” environment, there is a positive impact on the body. While results vary in individuals, the overall benefits of hot yoga include:

·      Effective weight loss. Sweating during hot yoga enhances the detox effect which helps excrete water and toxins from the body. It also increases metabolism and creates a flexible and fit body.

·      Improves blood circulation. Hot yoga improves circulation and metabolism, creating a warm body. This prevents poor blood circulation that often results in cold limbs.

·      Relieves swelling. Cold temperature, lack of exercise and maintaining the same posture for long hours can cause swelling. Hot yoga improves circulation and lymph flow.

·      Shoulder tension release. Hot yoga significantly reduces shoulder stiffness by improving the position of shoulder blades and enhancing blood circulation.

·      Constipation relief. Constipation is mainly caused by stress. Hot yoga can help reduce constipation woes by relaxing the body.

·      Anti-ageing. Practising yoga promotes anti-aging by enhancing lymph flow and water flow by excreting body toxins.

LAVA hot yoga is the leading hot yoga brand in Japan with more than 500 studios nationwide, where it has made over 1.5 million women happier and healthier. Its first overseas branch opened in Singapore in 2014. 

According to Nissa: Hot yoga studio LAVA was established in 2004 in Japan with the desire to polish not only the outer beauty, but also the inner beauty. We continue to grow and have built the largest number of stores and network in Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. In addition to hot yoga, we are spreading the charm of yoga in a wide range of genres such as room temperature yoga, floating yoga, and maternity yoga.”

Since its founding LAVA hot yoga has continued to grow as a leader in the yoga industry, delivering its philosophy of “making as many people as possible happy through yoga” to its practitioners. 

Apart from yoga classes, LAVA in Japan offers much more, such as corporate services, a yoga instructor training school certified by the US Yoga Alliance that operates six schools in Japan (Shinjuku, Yokohama, Omiya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Shibuya); a Heavenly Garden Amamu that offers healing on a massive site that is 28 times the size of Tokyo Dome; a meditation app (Meisoon), YogaFull that is a platform where experienced yoga instructors, instructors, and specialists in the field deliver information for healthful mind and body and wellbeing through a life with yoga; and an online store that does not only offer activewear and yoga props but also organic food which compliments the yogic lifestyle. 

“LAVA is the only women-only studio for hot yoga as we believe it is important for us to provide a safe and comfortable place for women to practice in their activewear without anyone judging them,” Nissa tells us.

LAVA Singapore's first outlet opened in 2014 in Katong i12. It had since relocated to Great World. LAVA is aiming to open a second branch in the East by the end of 2022 as many ex-members have been waiting for them to reopen back in their home ground. 

“We are hoping to branch out to the rest of Singapore to spread our love for hot yoga over the next few years! We are not a franchise but work directly with our Japan team,” she says.  

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, instructors were sent to Japan for training. Then training took place over Zoom with their Japan counterparts due to travel ban to ensure the same quality is delivered to all the classes both in Japan and Singapore.  

Post-pandemic, women are now eager to start their yoga practice comfortably and safely. Knowing that LAVA still follows the safety guidelines provided by SportSG, its members know that their safety is the utmost priority.

LAVA hot yoga studio hopes to offer all women peace of mind and to leave their worries at LAVA’s door whilst they enjoy 60 minutes of “me time” to recharge and reset for this fast-paced world.

That’s exactly what I felt after class and couldn’t wait to sign up for the other classes offered!

Karmela | ws

Images: LAVA Hot Yoga | Phone: +65 6636 1562 | Email: gwc@lava-yoga-global.com | Facebook | Instagram

Editor’s note: Hot yoga is not for everyone. The intensity of the workout and the hot temperatures have the potential to cause heat-related illness. Be sure you check with your doctor before trying hot yoga, especially if you have any health concerns or if you are pregnant. It's probably best to skip hot yoga if you have: heart disease, problems with dehydration, heat intolerance, or a history of a heat-related illness such as heatstroke. (source: Mayo Clinic)