After five years as the only Far Infrared studio in the northeast, Hot Yoga Burlington , owned by Bill O’Connor, has announced it will be expanding to a larger space. O’Connor recently signed the lease to a space in the same N. Winooski Ave. building where the studio is currently located. The new space allows more room for reception and practice. O’Connor revealed that the move is the most expanding the studio will ever undergo as he wants to “keep true to the source. It’s really easy to lose that with a mass of people in the room. I’m not comfortable with more than 15 to 25 people in a class.”

O’Connor also stated that despite the studio’s popularity, and constant sellout of classes, he does not plan to open additional Hot Yoga Burlington locations. He said: “More studios turns into another McDonald’s. You lose the personal feel.”

Although the Burlington area is home to eight hot yoga studios, Hot Yoga Burlington sets itself apart by offering a combination of vinyasa style yoga, and heat. Furthermore, it is the only studio to offer Far Infrared heat, instead of typical gas-powered heat, which according to a promotional card, [Far Infrared] has been “long used by health professionals, [reaching] deeply into the body increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation and decreasing pain.” O’Connor originally discovered this heating strategy while researching to reduce the cost of heating the studio. After discovering Far Infrared, O’Connor had custom-made panels from Georgia installed immediately.

O’Connor recognizes himself as a yoga instructor and businessman. He said: “It’s one thing to be a teacher, it's one thing to own a studio, but if you are not constantly moving the marketing dial, you are behind.” However, his passion for yoga trumps his hunger for good business, as he sticks to smaller class sizes and works to keep rates low, charging only $10 a class, and offering packages for dedicated customers. O’Connor is dedicated to keeping class affordable, saying, “I believe yoga should be for everybody and everybody should practice.” By offering low rates, O’Connor hopes to appeal to all people, rather than just yogis, describing his studio as “a neighborhood studio which a lot of people walk to.”

Although Hot Yoga Burlington is expanding, owner Bill O’Connor plans to keep the successful studio a personal neighborhood business.