Yoga Apparel Basics
A comfortable top and pant – this is all you need to practice yoga. Still, finding a yoga top or yoga pant that fits and moves well through the asana sequences isn't always easy.
When choosing yoga apparel, think comfort and moveability. While it may seem that loose yoga apparel would offer comfort and ease of movement, it can get in the way. On the other hand, yoga apparel that is too tight may restrict movement. Aim for a happy medium.
"Wear something loose, you're going to be moving in all sorts of directions," explains Sharon Wren, who has been practicing various styles of yoga over the past four years. "I tried wearing regular sweats a few times, but I got too hot and the sweatshirt bagged too much and was in my face during downward dog. I prefer something that's more fitted."
"I recommend that my students wear something that is ‘fitted' but not tight fitting," says Jenifer M. Parker (jenifermparker.com/), who has taught yoga to thousands of clients over the past 12 years. "This way the clothing is more likely to ‘move with them' than constrict movement or get in the way."
Whatever apparel you choose, comfort is key. "Wear whatever you feel comfortable in," recommends Sharon, "because if something doesn't fit right, you'll be thinking of that instead of getting into your poses. Warrior 3 is hard enough without worrying about a tag scratching!"
Choose Sweat Friendly Yoga Apparel
When buying yoga apparel, don't forget that you'll be getting sweaty. "I generally tell people to wear what they are comfortable in, but be prepared to build heat and sweat," recommends Adina Kolatch, who has been practicing yoga for the past eight years. Adina currently teaches yoga to about 50 students in her YOGADINA studio in Bet Shemesh, Israel. "Good cotton clothing can help absorb some of the sweat."
At first glance, less fabric may seem a better choice for sweating, but sometimes, cloth can provide traction, while sweaty skin slides.
"I also recommend that the clothing is modest," says Jenifer. "This not only honors the traditions of yoga and reduces competition and distraction, but it also allows the clothing to be more functional as one sweats... the clothing will prevent people from slipping when practicing arm balances or other postures that require close contact of body parts to help maintain the posture."
Trina Lambert, who took her first yoga class in December 2004, starting a steady practice in 2005, picks her yoga apparel according to the season. "I like to wear capri-length pants in the warm weather and full-length pants in cooler weather," Trina says. "I prefer sleeve-less tops in warm weather and short-sleeved tops in colder weather. I wear micro-fiber clothes because I like the quick-drying property."
Yoga Apparel for Men
While yoga is often associated with women in the west, yoga was traditionally a man's practice. There are more and more men practicing yoga in the west, however, and manufactures of yoga apparel are offering more options. The basics of yoga apparel for men include the same requirements for women – comfort, flexibility, and modesty.
"I generally prefer shorts as I build up a lot of heat," explains Steve Ehrenhalt. Steve's been practicing Ashtanga, Iyengar, and some Sivanada yoga for seven years. "Also, I like skin on skin traction in asanas like tree pose."
When it comes to a yoga apparel brand, Steve's favorite is LuluLemon. "Especially the [Goldilocks'] shorts, with the build in brief – supportive without being too constructing, fitted without being revealing."
"I like a t-shirt, sometimes a tank top," continues Steve. "I have a few cute T-shirts from I Love Yoga. My favorite has a coca cola type logo and says Always Moola Bandha."
Steve also emphasizes that modesty plays a role in his yoga apparel preference. "Not a big fan of guys practicing shirtless. Yoga should retain an element of modesty and decorum."
Yoga Apparel Fabrics
Yoga apparel is available in a wide range of fabrics, from basic cottons and synthetics to the more unique, like hemp and bamboo.
"I have tried different fabrics and have found many of them to wear well," says Jenifer. "My preference is for natural fabrics with a bit of lycra in them so that the clothing holds its shape during its lifetime. The natural fabrics not only feel good on the skin, but they wash and dry easily and tend to have a long lifetime."
Jenifer's leery when it comes to synthetic microfiber yoga apparel, often marketed for its wicking properties. "While various blends can be beneficial—such as the different wicking material clothing—I also find them to not wear as well over time. Natural fabrics seem to clean better and last longer, whereas the microfiber clothing tends to get some form of bacteria in it—and even with repeated washing begins to stain and smell bad. I find that people have to replace the non-natural clothing more frequently than the natural clothing."
Some prefer natural fabrics because they seem to fit in better with yogic philosophy. Carol Saunders, who dabbled in yoga in the 60s and has recently taken up a steady practice of Kundalini yoga, chooses natural over synthetics for this reason. "I would say natural fabrics would embrace the spirit of yoga, it did start as a spiritual tool, body in harmony with the Universe, and some still embrace it (yoga) in this way."
When it comes down to it, though, which yoga apparel to buy is a personal preference. "I think we are all individuals and we need to respect that," explains Carol. "Different colors, fabrics, natural fabrics, one piece, 2 piece. The most comfortable thing I ever wore was a one piece leotard, but trying to go to the bathroom is not that fun or easy."
Yoga Apparel Outside the Studio
Yoga apparel is not limited to the studio anymore. It's not uncommon to see yoga capris on the street, often on people who might think an Upward Dog is some fancy new puppy breed. Yoga apparel's popularity makes sense, given that yoga apparel is comfortable.
"The more people in comfortable clothes, the better!" says Sharon. "I have a lilac pair of yoga pants and I wish I could live in them 24/7."
When buying your yoga apparel, don't feel limited to wearing them only in the studio. Yoga wear can be street friendly, or great for bumming around the house in.
"I enjoy chilling in my yoga clothes, and I think many people do like to wear simple, relaxed style dress," says Adina. "I also like the tunics that sometimes you wear over yoga clothes."
Yoga-inspired designs can also inspire people. While Jenifer isn't a big fan of wearing yoga apparel outside the studio, she does like yoga-inspired clothing.
"When it comes to wearing yoga apparel that has yoga symbols and related on it, apparel that is not necessarily activity-specific, I think that this can be inspiring to others," explains Jenifer. "It is nice to see people wearing Om symbols—even if they don't practice Yoga or know what it means—because the symbol has a lot of power. That power has a positive influence on the energy bodies and spirits of others."