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Yoga Clothing Tips
Prolong The Life Of Your Yoga Clothing With Proper Care
If your yoga clothing is made of moisture-wicking fabric, it will last longer and look best if you wash it in cold water on the gentle cycle with a mild detergent such as Woolite. And don’t put yoga wear in the dryer; it causes the fabric to break down more quickly. Hang your yoga clothes to dry on a drying rack or on plastic hangers in the bathroom and they will dry quickly and be ready for your next workout. If cared for correctly, yoga clothes can last for years.
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Consider Quality Yoga Clothes An Investment
Gaiam Tip: Although many manufacturers such as Prana yoga clothes and Green Dragon yoga clothing are specifically designed (and specifically marketed) for yoga, there’s no reason why you can’t wear your favorite comfortable gym shorts and a t-shirt to practice yoga, and you can buy inexpensive, discount yoga clothing at discount stores. But remember that you get what you pay for and a cheap pair of yoga pants may lose its shape after washing and discount yoga clothes are likely to wear out sooner than their pricier counterparts.
Quality yoga clothes will last for years if it is well taken care of, so if you are getting serious enough about yoga to go to a class or practice with a video at least once a week, consider a pair or two of moisture-wicking pants or shorts and a top made from a comfortable, moisture-wicking fabric in a style you like as an investment in your health and fitness.
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Choose A Yoga Bra That’s Supportive But Not Too Tight
Because yoga doesn’t involve jumping and bouncing, a maximum support sports bra is not essential and many women favor tank tops with a built-in bra, or a comfortable everyday bra in a soft fabric. If you want the added support of a sports bra, choose a bra that feels comfortable and secure, but it need not be quite as snug as a bra that you would wear for running or aerobics. A bra that’s too tight may distract you by chafing your shoulders during twisting or bending poses.
Women seeking plus-sized yoga clothes may feel more comfortable with a more supportive sports bra, but some plus-sized yoga tops have built-in bras that provide enough support for yoga. Try on several styles to find the fit that’s best for you.
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Don’t Get In A Bind With Yoga Tops
Gaiam Tip: No matter what style of yoga clothing you favor, be sure that you can maneuver through a full range of motion. For example, a t-shirt with tight, cap-style sleeves may keep you from rotating your arms as much as you would like. On the other hand, a t-shirt that’s too baggy will fall over your head and face when you bend forward. If you feel more comfortable in a loose shirt, be prepared to tuck it into your pants or shorts. If you have a tank top or spaghetti strap top, look for styles without prominent clasps or seams that may chafe your skin by the end of a long, tough class.
Also, beware of tops that tie around your neck or waist if you are doing a vigorous yoga practice. That tie can come loose as you get sweaty, and if you are in the midst of an arm balance when that happens, you will either lose your balance or lose your shirt.
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Beware Your Hair
If you have long hair, your yoga apparel must-have list to take to a class should include headbands, barrettes, and ponytail holders to keep your hair away from your face. Because so much of yoga involves bending and twisting, long hair flapping in your face will distract you and may interfere with your breathing as well. Even if you have short or medium-length hair, you may want to use a headband or barrettes to keep layers of hair off your face so you are not distracted by it during inversion poses or forward bends.
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Expand Your Pants Options With Gathered-Leg Styles
Gaiam Tip: Yoga pants are available in a range of styles, including capri yoga pants, long yoga pants, or bell-bottom yoga pants.
A newer style of yoga pant on the block has ties or gathers on each leg so you can leave the pants long or shorten them to a capri length. In addition to looking stylish, the gathered or tie-leg styles let you show off your shapely calves, help you cool off if you’re overheating, and prevent the risk of tripping on your pant leg when bending over and jumping back during a sun salutation series.
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Footwear
You should NOT wear shoes when doing yoga.
Having bare feet when you practice will help you to have proper balance and stability. However, since maintaining a comfortable temperature is also important, you can wear socks if the floor surface is cold.
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Opt For Stretchy, Fitted Yoga Wear For Comfort And Coverage
Gaiam Tip: Although loose-fitting shirts and shorts are fine for yoga classes, avoid your baggiest t-shirts and sweats. Loose clothes will fall over your head when you bend, and they make it difficult for an instructor to see whether your alignment is correct.
To find the yoga wear that’s right for you, try this: Reach, bend, and twist in front of the mirror if you are not sure whether to wear certain clothes for yoga. Do you feel comfortable with the amount of skin that is exposed as you move around? Are you covered when you sit on the floor with your legs spread in a v-shape? Tops and pants or shorts made from a stretchy fabric that fit fairly close to the body are your best bets for yoga wear that will keep you comfortable and let you concentrate on your practice.
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Yoga Clothes: From Studio to Street
Yoga clothes aren't just for yoga anymore! Yoga is considered a holistic practice, incorporating practical life with spiritual life. Not surprisingly, the more people practice yoga, the more time they spend in yoga clothing. Sooner or later yoga clothing was bound to trickle out of the studios and onto the streets. Makes perfect sense if you think about it: If everything in the universe is connected, why should our clothing be any different?
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The Feel of Yoga Clothing
Truly devoted practitioners of yoga know that besides wearing comfortable clothing -- or no clothing at all -- there is no yoga apparel that is better than any other. However, yoga clothing is designed for comfort. Specific yoga pants, for example, are made with a cotton-spandex combination that allows for extra flexibility. Many also have roll-down waistbands that offer another level of comfort to your middle section as you move through poses or sit for long periods of meditation.
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The Best Yoga Pants
There are two schools of thought when it comes to yoga pants. Traditionally, loose trousers are worn. These are typically drawstring pants made of cotton. Form-fitting pants are also good, however. These allow your instructor to see your legs and assist you in achieving proper alignment with the poses. Whichever you choose, be sure you are comfortable in what you are wearing.
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What to Wear to Your First Yoga Class
A few pointers for men and women attending a yoga class for the first time: Do wear comfortable yoga clothes, such as a T-shirt and sweatpants or drawstring pants. Women should wear a support bra if needed. Be prepared to move and perhaps sweat more than you think, so choose fabrics that are cool and light. Don't worry about shoes. It's best to wear none or keep your (clean!) socks on during class.
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Yoga Shoes
Many practitioners of yoga wear nothing on their feet at all. Unlike other exercise routines, being barefoot allows you to get the best grip on the floor while you practice your poses. However, for those who do not prefer to be barefoot or keep stocking feet, there are thin-soled yoga shoes available. These are light and flexible enough to allow you move freely.
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What´s Required
No special clothing is necessary to practice yoga. All you need is comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Some people like to wear shorts and tee shirts; others prefer to wear leotards or unitards. The most important factor is that you be able to move easily without your clothing binding or constricting.
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Yoga Clothing
Although no special clothing is needed to practice yoga, your yoga clothing should allow maximum comfort and movement. Wear something loose and/or stretchy such as shorts or cotton drawstring trousers and at T-shirt or tank top. Slightly form-fitting clothing is also acceptable. In addition, your clothes should not make you sticky and moist during your practice. The best yoga wear is comfortable and breathable. Some practices also request that you keep the colors light, to keep spirits light as well.
