Water temperature recommended for Ai Chi is 86 degrees F to 92 degrees F. Lower water temperatures can be used after an adequate warmup or with varied breathing patterns such as in the ashtanga yogic technique. If clients become chilled, stop the program. Blood and oxygen must be moving to the extremities to allow for full ROM. If the client is chilled, blood will be shunted to the vital organs (not the extremities) and muscles will tense. This is not conducive to relaxation and the full ROM Ai Chi movements.
Space requirements are about 25 square feet per person in water that is 12 to 18 inches lower than the person's height.