The Spirit of Yoga Apparel
Whether you practice yoga for the health benefits or the spiritual benefits, there's no denying the power of yoga on the soul and heart. With this in mind, is there a certain spirit to yoga apparel?
Rubber Ritchie, a daily yoga practitioner for 9 years, explains, "Wearing certain clothes in themselves will not change ones practice. However, the mindset they bring about is the key. If one keeps a clean outfit for their practice, then it will add to the special feeling of practice. It is like going to a special event like a wedding. One feels uplifted for dressing up. If the Yoga practice is treated as a special occasion with dressing, then already the practice has a special beginning."
Modesty and Yoga Apparel
Yoga, unlike many other forms of exercise, involves mindful, careful movements of the body, creating a scared space wherever an individual or group practices. Modest yoga apparel is appropriate and preferred by many yoga practitioners, as both a way to decrease body competition and maintain proper decorum.
"I have a strong preference for modest clothing," explains Jenifer M. Parker (jenifermparker.com/), who has taught yoga to thousands of clients over the past 12 years. "I find that the dress of others can affect some students. There are students who are different shapes and sizes who may be intimidated by the idea of wearing certain clothing to a studio, or being next to a man or woman in certain clothing in a studio. For some, the comparison game is inspirational; for others it is distracting."
Some may question whether modest yoga apparel is practical, given the heat that is built during the practice. But Jenifer doesn't feel modesty interferes with practicality in yoga apparel. "As far as functionality and physical comfort, I find that the more modest clothing is just as, if not more, effective in a variety of settings. One is never too cold, and reducing clothing doesn't make one cooler if it is hot. In fact, it can actually make one feel warmer. So, at that level, it's valuable to have on more modest clothing rather than less clothing."
Symbols and Style of Yoga Apparel
Adina Kolatch feels simple yoga apparel is better. Adina has been practicing yoga for the past eight years and teaches yoga to about 50 students from her small studio in Israel, YOGADINA. "I think yoga clothes should be comfortable, simple and basic. Nothing glitzy."
Many yoga outfits have yoga symbols on them, including the OM sign. While some are inspired by the symbol on yoga clothing, Adina prefers to not choose yoga apparel with the insignia.
"I don't think there should be any religious symbols on it," explains Adina, "I personally do not purchase anything with the OM sign because it does have religious connotations… for me, [yoga is] not a religion… I don't like the idea of trivializing it on clothing... it gets all sweaty, and needs to go in washing machine. I don't think that's respectful treatment of a religious symbol."
Color, especially the colors of the chakras, can also play a part in the spirit of yoga apparel. Rubber Ritchie explains, "For some, certain colors should be worn and such colors will bring mindfulness of the Yogic mind."
Choosing Green and Free Trade Wear
What yoga apparel we choose to buy may also be part of the spirit of yoga apparel.
"As we practice Yoga," says Jenifer, "we begin to become aware of how all of our thoughts and actions affect us, as well as how it affects others. In this way, all of our decisions become a part of our Yoga practice. Mindfulness becomes a way of life. When this takes root, our purchasing and business decisions become influenced by the ideas of our connection. This will impact how we buy clothing, as well as how we, if we are yoga practitioners making clothing, make that clothing."
Sharon Wren, who has been practicing various styles of yoga over the past four years, says she likes to get her yoga apparel from Goodwill, when she can. "The money I spend there goes to help people with job training and it keeps the clothes out of landfills. I figure that's a double dose of good karma."
Dr Dennie Doral, a doctor of Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medicine, yoga teacher, and founder of Yoganomics (http://mifamilialatina.com/), provides an interesting look at the material of yoga apparel: "The principles governing Ayurveda, the sister of yoga, state that the spiritual balance of the things we need must never come from the destruction of life. Cotton, linen, and hemp are plants, silk is spun by the caterpillars, wool from the shearing of sheep, all of which take no life."
Comfort and Simplicity is Key
When it comes down to it, though, what you wear during yoga is less important than how you practice.
"The clothing doesn't indicate who is a sincere practitioner," explains Jenifer. "Most people choose clothing based on comfort, function, and affordability."
Rubber Ritchie concurs. "If perfect sattvic attire is there," he says, "then great, but if you have only a cloth sack to practice in, beautiful. The externals are secondary."