If you're new to yoga, you may be wondering what to wear when practicing, whether you're going to the studio or practicing at home. Most of the time, the answer is whatever you are comfortable in! That said, there are a few things you might want to consider when choosing yoga clothing.
Wear yoga clothing that is suitable for use when doing handstands.
While you probably won't be doing a headstand or headstand in your first class, a nice variation is that your head will sometimes be lower than your waist during forward bends or downward dog poses, for example. So make sure your top is comfortable. There's nothing more annoying than having your face hidden in a T-shirt, or worse, having it fall over your head, exposing parts of your body that you'd rather have covered.
Also consider that very wide pants will slide down your legs when they are above your head. While this isn't a problem for everyone, you may feel uncomfortable.
Wear yoga clothes that allow movement.
This probably goes without saying, but you will be moving in yoga class! So while you want clothes that are comfortable, don't wear clothes that are so tight that you can't move freely between positions. Also pay attention to the length of your yoga pants. If they are too long, you may find yourself tripping over them as you move from one pose to the next.
Don't let your yoga clothes distract your neighbors.
Your clothes can be distracting in many ways. The first one may be obvious, but remember, your goal is not to attract attention but to practice comfortably.
Bright colors and patterns are suitable for many activities, but consider something more subdued for exercises designed to calm the mind and help you get within yourself.
Don't let your neighbors influence your yoga clothing choices.
Yoga has become big business these days. This means that there are many designer yoga clothes on the market. If it's within your budget and you like fashion, there's nothing wrong with spending money on yoga wear that you feel great about. But there's nothing wrong with wearing a basic T-shirt and sweatpants to class. There’s no need to keep up with Yogi Jones. Wear what you want to wear.
Stay barefoot.
Etiquette in almost all yoga studios is to take off your shoes before laying out your mat. The same goes for socks, in most cases. Yoga is best practiced barefoot for many reasons. First, you need to be connected to the earth, and socks can get in the way. Practicing with socks on is also a bit dangerous since you're more likely to slip. It's hard to move well when you're worried about losing your balance.
After a few lessons, you will be able to choose your wardrobe with ease. After several classes, you may find that you have some cool new clothes that you didn't have before you started your yoga practice. Like any wardrobe, your yoga clothes should reflect your style. It feels great and is very comfortable to wear.
