Far infrared yoga studio to open in Brighton

Posted by author March 4, 2025 Fitness

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You’ve heard of hot yoga.

Get ready for far infrared yoga, which comes to Brighton April 28.

Fitness-minded business partners and longtime friends Jenny Farrell of Webster and Elizabeth Hayes of Penfield are opening New York state’s first Oxygen Yoga & Fitness at 1855 Monroe Ave. in Brighton Commons Plaza.

The business, which started in 2011 in Canada, offers yoga and other fitness classes in a studio that uses far infrared, a type of radiant heat that warms the body and not the air.

“That’s what separates it from hot yoga,” where the room is heated, said Farrell, who works full-time for software company NetSuite but has a master’s degree in nutrition, is a certified personal trainer and has worked in gyms from here to Boston. Plus, far infrared doesn’t produce “a moist and drippy heat,” she said.

In addition, the longer wavelengths of far infrared, contained in ceiling panels in the studio, also allow it to penetrate deeper into body tissues and have been touted for having anti-inflammatory effects and helping with healing and pain.

Hayes, a nurse at the University of Rochester Medical Center, actually has an infrared sauna in her basement and a few years ago started doing yoga in it. She wondered whether the combination existed as a business somewhere.

“We started Googling ‘infrared sauna fitness,’” and related terms, Farrell said. Eventually, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness came up as a search result.

As it happened, the company, which has more than 135 locations across Canada, was looking to grow with franchises in the United States.

Farrell and Hayes traveled to six locations in the province of Ontario, where they took classes and met with instructors and the owners. That experience solidified their love of the concept, so they decided to take the plunge and become the first ones to sign a U.S. franchise agreement.

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness hopes to open 500 U.S. locations in the next five to 10 years.

Farrell and Hayes’ contract also gives them the right to franchise studios in Cleveland, Ohio, and from Buffalo to Albany. Their hope is to open 10 in the next 10 years.

Besides yoga, the gym offers classes that focus on toning, conditioning and cardio. They use far infrared too and also involve free weights, resistance bands and fitness balls.

“I love the variety of classes because I get bored really easily,” Farrell said. Plus, “Whatever fitness level you are, there is something for everybody.”

Currently, 19 instructors are going through training, she said.

People who buy memberships (which offer access to all classes) by April 28 will pay $98 a month, a rate that’s good for two years. Otherwise, the cost is $140 per month. People also can drop in and pay for classes individually or buy packages of classes.

Farrell said so far, 22 memberships have been sold, 330 people have reached out for information, and the business’ Instagram account has picked up more than 600 followers.

“So, we feel really good.”

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.