Yoga Clothes 101

Yoga has brought a whole new genre of clothing to the fashion industry. Hot yoga clothes have evolved from a pair of sweat pants and a tank top, to an entire industry geared toward creating and manufacturing clothing and accessories for those who participate in yoga.

As the art of yoga has grown immensely in popularity for its revitalizing mind to body effect, so has yoga apparel grown in popularity, due to its comfort, style and functionality. Whether a person chooses to practice yoga at their home or within a class setting, alone or in a group, the proper apparel is essential for any yoga student. As the practice of yoga is beneficial to all different body types, ages, experience levels and health levels of people, so yoga clothes have evolved to follow suit and clothe bodies that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The most important feature of yoga clothes is that they are comfortable and non-binding. However, there are many variables to consider when purchasing yoga clothing. The clothing should be comfortable on every level, and not be uncomfortable due to the cut of the fabric, the weight of the fabric, the texture or the way that the clothing fits. Another consideration is that the style allows for freedom of movement in every joint of the body, in any position that one might attain in a yoga class. The fit of the apparel when in motion is important to think about, as well. An outfit that may not show too much skin when a person is seated or simply standing could reach an uncomfortable level of exposure in certain yoga positions.

Fabric and designs chosen by the yoga practitioner ought to be durable; strong enough to withstand a great deal of stretching, and should be able to be frequently washed without showing the wear. Women with large bust sizes need to consider carefully the bras and tops that will allow them to achieve maximum support without sacrificing comfort or restricting movement. Finally, people should not be afraid to express their own sense of style when choosing yoga clothes. They should look for pieces that say something about their own personality because when clothing makes a person look good, it generally makes a person feel good as well, and that is one of the premises of yoga itself.

There are three main categories for yoga clothes. Though traditionally one wears no shoes when practicing yoga, recently yoga shoes have begun to grow in popularity. Available in different colors and styles as well as sizes, yoga shoes are usually a very flexible version of the athletic shoe. Yoga shoes can allow a person to practice yoga outdoors more comfortably. That being said - barefoot is still reputed to be the best way to practice yoga, allowing for better balance and grip. Yoga tops are made in many styles and patterns, colors and prints. There are camisoles, long sleeved and short-sleeved yoga shirts available. They are form fitting to allow for mirror form checks and to keep the tops from slipping over the face when a person is practicing some of the inverted positions of yoga. Yoga pants are traditionally grey or black, and can be full length or cropped. They are usually made of stretchable, lightweight material that moves with the body.

Like the people who practice yoga, yoga clothing is often socially responsible and eco-conscious. It can often be found made from natural materials like soy and organic cotton. Due to the new styles of yoga clothes, for those who indulge in the practice of yoga, it no longer has to be at the expense of style and comfort.