Yoga and Meditation

Bikram Yoga is one of the new kids on the block with respect to yoga systems. It is also popularly called hot house yoga by many. Its called this because typically it is practiced in rooms with elevated temperatures. You will often find the heat in these rooms turned up to a full 105 degrees F with humidity of up to 40%. Now thats hot!

Bikram Yoga was founded by Bikram Choudhury based on classical yoga. It has 26 postures and 2 breathing techniques. There have been a number of knock offs of this system and this has led to some controversy.

Obviously you will sweat in any yoga class but given the temperatures in the Bikram studios, youre really going to pour it out in their classes. So, what sort of yoga clothes should you wear in these classes?

First and foremost your yoga clothes must be comfortable. And they must also be functional. You must have freedom of movement and not be restricted in any way. Make sure you buy something that feels good against your skin as well.

In that you know that you will be sweating here more than other yoga schools, you want this fabric to be very absorbent. Some work better than others in this regard. No one like the clammy feel of soaking wet yoga pants against them.

You know that yoga is supposed to be a system of unifying your mind, body, and spirit, but lets face it; most people just use it as a good exercise for toning the body and centering your awareness. Given that fact, doesn’t it seem fine to want to look good while you’re practicing it?

I mean its one thing to practice at home in an old t-shirt and cut offs but I have to imagine that youve worked hard to look as good as you do and there is nothing wrong with wanting to show the world how you’ve done it.

Maybe you want to go out and get one those form fitting little outfits to wear to the Bikram Yoga studio. Show the world your sleek lines and curves while you work yourself into those poses.

The thing is that these yoga clothes let your instructor see if you are doing the postures correctly or not.

If you haven’t heard of Bikram Yoga, it is one of the newer members of the yoga world. It is often referred to as “hot house” yoga because it is practiced in yoga studios that have the temperature turned up as high as 105 degrees. These rooms also have a humidity level of 40%. We’re talking hot here, folks.

Bikram Yoga is named for its founder, Bikram Choudhury, which he based on the classical yoga style. It uses 26 postures, or asanas, and 2 breath work patterns, or pranayama. Other people have copied this system as it has become so popular.

Clearly every yoga class is going make you sweat but with the high temps in Bikram Yoga studios, you know that you are REALLY going to pour it out. So, one might ask, what should I wear to these classes?

The first thing you want to consider is comfort. You want your yoga clothes to be comfortable and functional. Make sure you have plenty of freedom of movement. Also you want a nice soft fabric against your skin.

Because you know that you will sweating a lot more in a Bikram class than in others, look for an absorbent pair of yoga pants and top. Some fabrics are better than others for this. Nobody enjoys that soaked and clammy feeling of wet yoga clothing.

You know that yoga is supposed to be a system of unifying your mind, body, and spirit, but lets face it; most people just use it as a good exercise for toning the body and centering your awareness. Given that fact, doesn’t it seem fine to want to look good while you’re practicing it?

Of course you could always stay at home to practice, sitting around in your Grateful Dead T-Shirt and Bermuda shorts. But since you’ve worked as hard as you have to look as good as you do, why not show it off?

This might mean you are looking for something a little form fitting to wear to your Bikram Yoga class. This will show your fine lines AND give you the ability to tie yourself up in the knots that the poses can sometimes feel like.

These sorts of yoga clothes will also let you see exactly what the poses look and feel like; are you doing them correctly?

Assuming you have read my last foray into the yoga clothes article world, “What Yoga Clothes Should I Wear To A Bikram Yoga Class”, you’ll remember that I told you that Bikram Yoga is a sort of “hot house yoga”. Now I’d like to further delve into the concept that there may be particular types of yoga clothes that you’ll want to buy for your next Bikram Yoga class.

Yoga Pants Obviously there are a number of different styles of yoga pants. There are ones with full length legs and some that go just below the knee, like Capri pants. Some people opt for wearing shorts instead, and this is fine.

Then, of course, youll have to choose between flowing yoga pants and pairs that are more form fitting. The advantage to these are that your instructor can more easily see the lines of your body to tell if you are performing the postures correctly and, in turn, correct your pose accordingly.

The thing about the flowing yoga pants is that they are able to hide those areas of your body that you don’t want just anyone to see. Perhaps you are modest or feel you will look a lot better later.

Yoga Wear Tops Choosing yoga wear tops is similar to choosing yoga pants in that you’ll want to look for those that are either form fitting or loose and flowing. You could choose a t-shirt style or a tank top made of linen or hemp, maybe with one of those “Om” symbols printed on to it, if that matches your style.

Yoga wear tops come in many popular styles and colors so you should never run out of endless ideas on what sort of yoga clothing to wear to your Bikram Yoga classes.

Yoga Shoes I don’t know how many people even bother with yoga shoes. Most folks just prefer to practice in their bare feet. Even so, there are a number of shoes designed specifically for yoga practice. You may want something like this if you ever find yourself wanting to practice on some stony beach in the Caribbean.

I know people who like to wear those little cotton bottomed tai chi shoes. But you might want something with a little more support, like what Puma and Adidas make. These companies are very sympathetic to yoga types.

To close, just make certain that you yoga clothes you buy are fun, comfortable, and of yes, practical. At the end of the day, you’ll be glad you did.

If you are a yogi on the go you might like the look and feel of some of the new popular new trendy yoga clothes that are available in both online and offline stores. I know that some people don’t really care what they wear to theri yoga classes but I like to look good where ever I go.

Whether we’re talking about women’s yoga pant or even men’s yoga pants, it’s good to look for a reliable retailer like Victoria Secrets or JC Penny. I think you’ve probably seen some of these fashions in your own school. It’s good to do some online research before making any purchase, though.

When you are doing your looking around, check out some of the more stretchy fabrics for your trendy yoga clothes. I suppose you could just be satisfied wearing a grungy sports bra and gym shorts, but who wants to look like some gym rat in a yoga class. How are you going to get into some of those awkward poses without a stretch fabric.

The next thing is to make sure that your yoga clothing flatters your shape. Of course stretch fabric is form fitting but you don’t want it to show areas of your body you’d like to keep hidden. No need to have anything falling out when you least expect it.

Thirdly, pick a color that flatters your look and helps hide sweat stains. You ARE going to sweat, thats what exercise is all about. Its also very important to like what you are wearing. After all, that is an important part of looking and feeling good.

Also, you want to choose a fabric for your trendy yoga clothes that doesn’t have any itch factor to it. After all, you’re not going to go to your yoga class in heavy wool or a burlap sack, right? Choose something smooth and satiny like raw silk or a nice hemp. Or you could get cotton and/or linen.

I wouldnt wear things like jogging pants as they will tend to make you sweat more than is absolutely necessary. Particularly if you are going to be practicing in one of those hot house yoga places like Bikram yoga does. There might even be particular Bikram yoga clothing available for that particular style of yoga.

Which ever style of yoga clothes you buy on your next shopping trip-be it online or at a national retailer, buy something that soothes you and makes you feel well at ease during the beginning, middle, and end of your yoga session. You wont be disappointed that you did.

Yoga requires a lot of contorting and twisting so your clothes will need to be as flexible as your body.

Yoga is all about being flexible and putting yourself into some highly malleable positions, so, of course, you are going to need to dress accordingly.

Clothes are important when it comes to yoga, so make sure that you find yoga pants that will fit nice snug on your body.

Yoga is not seen as a high intensity activity but it does burn quite a few calories so you will sweat. Make sure your clothing can breathe and absorb moisture.

Hardtail yoga pants do a great job as breathing so that you won’t get too hot during your yoga class.

If you are involved in yoga already, then you most likely know about the necessity for clothing that is form fitting and that stretches to fit your body as you put it into abnormal positions. Total movement and flexibility without any restriction is the necessity when shopping for what to wear.

Style might come in a close 2nd when it comes to yoga attire, but don’t worry because there are plenty of stylish yoga pants.