Yoga has become increasingly popular in today’s non-stop world. For more people, it is becoming their go-to activity for releasing stress, unwinding, and reconnecting with their body and mind.
As the demand for yoga has increased, so too has the demand for well-designed yoga studios. These spaces act as a gateway to that Zen state of mind, through thoughtful design that minimises distractions and helps quieten those scurrying thoughts.
Here at Consilo, we create clean, minimalist designs more than any other, helping clients across a range of industries transform their spaces. From materials, through fixtures, to finishes, we consider every detail in our fitouts to deliver only the best results. Here are some of the key things to consider when planning any new yoga studio, to make sure it’s the relaxing haven you and your customers deserve.
Underfloor Heating vs. Air Conditioning for Hot Yoga
As the name suggests, hot yoga is a form of yoga performed in hot and humid conditions. There are several pioneers of the practice, including Bikram Choudhury, who hails hot yoga as a way of loosening the muscles and, essentially, ‘sweating out’ impurities. Typically, hot yoga studios are heated to around 40°C, with 40% humidity.
If your studio is for hot yoga (whether exclusively or for select classes only), the way in which you heat and ventilate it is probably the most important aspect, and this can be achieved in a variety of ways. One way is through underfloor heating.
This method provides a gentle, comfortable warmth from the ground up and is easy to keep at a consistent temperature while avoiding the development of hot and/or cold spots. It’s a good way of gently increasing the temperature in the room while the floor forms a safe barrier between your customers and the heat source.
Air conditioning, on the other hand, circulates warm air throughout the room. It’s an effective option for heating, but should be paired with humidification to avoid the air drying out.
Whatever method you use to heat your hot yoga studio, consider how you effectively ventilate it between sessions. Warm, moist air could lead to damp and mould build-up if not released regularly. Whether through windows or ventilation shafts, ensure your hot yoga studio can cool down when not in use.
Acoustic Design for Sound Healing and Meditation
When doing yoga or meditation, any distractions like outside noise (or even noise from elsewhere in the building) should be brought to a minimum. Ideally, you’ll also want to dampen the acoustics of the studio itself, to minimise reverb and make sure the voice of the yoga instructor can be heard clearly. This can be done in several ways, from installing acoustic absorbers to simply hanging curtains around windows.
Eco-Friendly Material Selections for the Modern Yogi
Yoga is all about connecting with the self and relaxing, and eco-friendly materials are just one way of helping to achieve that end. Consider natural materials like timber in your studio and cork yoga mats to help ground your premises in the natural world.
Hidden Storage Solutions for Props and Personal Items
When designing a yoga studio, the storage of belongings might not be high on your list of considerations. However, a cluttered environment makes achieving peace of mind and relaxing more difficult. Consider in-built cabinets that blend seamlessly into the walls, to safely stash away equipment and personal items in between and during sessions.
If you’re planning a yoga studio project and need a designer who will consider all of this and more, get in touch with Consilo today. For related movement and wellness-based fitouts, we bring the same attention to detail and holistic approach to every project as we do for medical fitouts and physio fitouts.
