Infrared Sauna at Astoria Yoga

Relaxation starts here! Infrared Sauna sessions are available everyday for 20, 30 or 45 minutes at a time. We recommend always starting with a 20 minute session if you're new to infrared heat, to see how your body reacts before and after treatment. 

Here's how to book a session (make sure you read about safe sauna usage [below] before booking):

• Purchase a sauna credit, or pack of credits, for the length of session you want (20, 30, or 45 minutes).

• Use your credit to book your appointment in our online schedule.

• Once you receive a confirmation email, your appointment is booked! Then just arrive promptly to get settled in with ease! 

You can book a private session, or you and a friend can enjoy the sauna together as long as you both purchase credits for the same length of time (Max. occupancy is 2 people, 1 credit per person per appointment.) 

Please note that available appointment times are slightly longer than sauna sessions, to include time before and after for heating up and wiping down. 

Be sure to hydrate well before your session, including the evening before if your appointment is in the morning. Infrared heat can boost your circulation, so similar to  a workout you may also want to eat a light meal or a small snack beforehand to balance your blood sugar and blood pressure. Avoid the use of alcohol 24 hours before a session. Arrive clean and plan to wear a light layer to separate you from the sauna (all sessions include 1 towel to sit on). We advise against the use of heavy perfumes, oils, or lotions, which can give off fumes when heated up and potentially stain the natural hemlock wood in the sauna. 

Infrared heaters work by converting electricity into radiant heat. Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they use infrared lamps (that use electromagnetic radiation) to warm your body directly. “These saunas use infrared panels instead of conventional heat to easily penetrate human tissue, heating up your body before heating up the air,” explains physical therapist, Vivian Eisenstadt, MAPT, CPT, MASP. 

An infrared sauna can operate at a lower temperature (usually between 110˚F and 140˚F) than a traditional sauna, which is typically between 150˚F and 180˚F. Manufacturers claim that in an infrared sauna, only about 20 percent of the heat goes to heat the air and the other 80 percent directly heats your body. 

The supposed benefits of using an infrared sauna are similar to those experienced with a traditional sauna. These include: better sleep, relaxation, detoxification, relief from sore muscles, relief from joint pain such as arthritis, clear and tighter skin, and improved circulation.  

May support heart health
Specifically for infrared saunas, one review and meta-analysis of seven studies, published in November 2018 in Clinical Cardiology, found that infrared bathing 15 minutes a day five days a week for two to four weeks led to reduced stress and inflammation and an improvement in blood vessel function. The researchers also found that infrared sauna sessions are physiologically as beneficial as walking.

As with exercise, when you heat up, your body needs to cool itself down. That process provokes thermoregulation (where your body deals with hot environments more efficiently by sweating sooner, for example). It may also make your heart work harder, triggering a response similar to a cardio workout, (but to be clear, it’s not as effective as traditional exercise).
 

Can improve exercise recovery 

After a workout, a good place to go is an infrared sauna. “Athletes may note improved recovery after exercise or injury,” says Dr. Ring. A small study, published in July 2015 in SpringerPlus, of physically active men found that 30 minutes in a far-infrared sauna after a tough endurance workout improved neuromuscular recovery compared with a no-sauna control condition. People also described it as “a comfortable and relaxing experience.”
 

Helps induce your relaxation response

Sitting in a warm, quiet chamber is inherently relaxing for most people. “When we calm our nervous system by doing something relaxing, our body responds in a way that reduces stress hormones like cortisol and produces feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine,” says Dr. Simms. What’s more, the heat improves circulation, which can give you a sense of vigor and energy when you’re done.

Sources

 https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-infrared-saunas
https://www.healthline.com/health/infrared-sauna-benefits
https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/potential-health-benefits-of-infrared-sauna-therapy/ 

Sauna advisory
Please do not use the sauna if you have any of the following conditions:
 

Unstable coronary artery disease, ischemic heart failure, orthostatic hypotension, heart valve disease or any kind of heart condition, low blood pressure, kidney disease, any nerve or motor function conditions, are currently pregnant, weakened or compromised immune system, open or unhealed wounds, are on medications such as diuretics, other blood pressure-lowering drugs, or medications that can cause dizziness or heat sensitivity, if you have used alcohol and/or drugs within the last 24 hours.
 

General guidelines for safe sauna use:
 

Seek medical clearance: Although there’s evidence supporting the notion that infrared sauna treatments can be beneficial, it’s best to seek your doctor’s advice before using the sauna. This is especially true if you have any health conditions.

Avoid drinking alcohol: Drinking alcohol prior to sauna use can lead to dehydration and contribute to potential complications such as low blood pressure, injury, and heart problems. 

Drink plenty of water: It’s important to stay hydrated when using a sauna. Make sure you drink plenty of water before getting in the sauna and when you get out. 

Limit your time in the sauna: If you are new to sauna use, we recommend a first session of 20 minutes (at no greater setting than 45 degrees Celsius/ 113 degrees Fahrenheit) to see how your body responds to the heat both during and after your time in the sauna. 

Avoid use with irritated skin: If you have a sensitive skin condition or a condition such as eczema than can cause skin irritation, you may want to allow your skin to recover before exposure to infrared heat.

Pay attention to certain symptoms: If you experience symptoms of dizziness or light-headedness, stop your session immediately. This can be a sign of dehydration or other medical complications. Alert the front desk attendant if you need assistance standing or walking. If the symptoms persist, seek immediate medical help.
 

Source: healthline.com
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version: Nov 28, 2022 (Original Feb 20, 2020) Written By: Sara Lindberg / Edited By: John Bassham (and Candice Abellon) / Medically Reviewed By: Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD (and Yamini Ranchod, PhD, MS) / Copy Edited By: Delores Smith-Johnson