The style and type of clothing you wear to a yoga class can have a big impact on your comfort and experience in the practice. Yoga is all about getting into shape through movement, breathing and relaxation by focusing on poses. The greater emphasis is on body alignment and balance which requires being physically in tune with what your body needs. It’s important to wear clothing that’s both comfortable and loose enough for easy movements, but not so loose that you feel constricted or restricted. It makes sense that form fitting clothes may not be ideal for a yoga class since they might hinder your balance and movement. Likewise, tight clothes might interrupt your flow. Other choices such as color can also make a big difference depending on the type of class you’re attending. For example, wearing white clothing to a hot yoga class can make you feel more sweaty than others simply because it will become damp faster than darker colored clothing would in the same conditions, so consider this if this is applicable to your situation.
Select yoga wear according to these factors
- Breathable, flexible bottoms like yoga pants or shorts
- A breathable, narrow- or form-fitting top that won’t hang over your head when you’re upside down.
- For women, a sports bra or built-in shelf bra that offers enough support for the type of yoga you’re practicing
- A comfortable, warm top layer for end-of-class savasana (corpse pose) or after class when you’ve cooled down
What to Wear to Yoga Class
Leggings
Yoga leggings (or yoga pants or similar terms) are much more than just smart-looking pants you wear to the studio. These pants have features that can help you do yoga better, whether you are performing core work, standing poses or forward bends. Yoga pants fabric typically has nylon/spandex/polyester blends with a hint of elasticity, making them stretchy and able to move with you without binding. Many have pocketed waistbands so you can stash your keys or other valuables in case the studio doesn’t provide lockers.
Sports bras
Women’s sports bras are great for yoga, since they compress and hold your breasts in place. Pick a bra with enough support for your physical activity, but try to find something breathable and comfortable. The bra should fit comfortably and not feel too tight or binding. You won’t want to be fiddling with straps or adjusting your breasts during practice – you want to be able to stretch and focus on the poses without any distractions.
Yoga tops
Many yoga tops come with built-in sports bras but you still need to think about what types of materials will work best for your body. There are textures, necklines and other design details that can determine if a top is “the one.” Once you feel comfortable in the clothes you wear to class, you’ll be able to maximize your practice and focus on other details like poses, breathing techniques or finding your inner yogi.
