What To Wear For Yoga For Beginners

If you’re brand new to yoga, it can be tough to know what you should wear to fit in and feel good. Here’s what to wear for yoga so you have comfortable, relaxing classes.

You have likely seen people wearing yoga clothes that look like they just walked off a fashion runway.

Do not be intimidated! The practice of yoga is all about creating harmony between your mind and body. So, being the most fashionable person is not important as far as yoga is concerned. 

Instead, focus on choosing clothing that is easy to move in, comfortable, and helps you feel good. There are no rules about what you can and can not wear. So, do not let a lack of the perfect outfit stop you from participating in yoga. 

There are several elements to consider when figuring out what to wear for yoga. Pay attention to the cut and fabric of your clothing items. Read on to learn about the type of thing you should wear for yoga.

What To Wear For Yoga – The Best Materials

Yoga clothing comes in several different types of materials. Some people opt for only natural fibers in their yoga clothing, such as cotton, hemp, linen, and silk. These fabrics are all breathable, and can often be more environmentally friendly than synthetic materials. 

If you do want moisture-wicking clothing items, several great options are usually synthetic. These synthetic options usually consist of polyester, spandex, and nylon. Many yoga pants and other items may be a blend of natural and synthetic materials. In that case, natural fibers provide breathability while synthetic fibers provide stretch.  

What should I wear as a bottom during yoga?

When it comes to the bottoms you want to wear for yoga, you must wear something easy to move in, such as yoga pants, spandex shorts, or running shorts. You must not wear anything too loose during yoga since the excess fabric can impede your ability to move easily.  

To wear items with the least amount of excess fabric, there are some clear front-runners. There are several cuts of bike shorts that work beautifully for yoga. You can also wear leggings to do yoga if you want plenty of coverage without excess fabric.  

If you are uncomfortable with skintight clothing, several looser options do not have too much fabric. For example, you can get capri jogger sweatpants for your yoga practice. There are also plenty of bootcut yoga pants that are sleek but a little roomier than leggings.

Since many of these clothing items are sleeker, you should know that there are plenty of options that also suit those who want a looser fit. For example, many people enjoy wearing running shorts or looser running pants. Try a few options and see which suits your comfort level most.    

What should I wear as a top during yoga?

You may think there are a lot of options for bottoms during yoga. However, there are even more options for tops. The same general rules for other types of yoga clothing apply to this type of clothing. 

The best yoga top is one that fits fairly snugly around the hips and waist since a loose top can ride up or fall in certain yoga poses. Make sure that the neckline of your top provides you with a comfortable amount of coverage. 

Generally, it is best to avoid long sleeves during yoga. Shorter sleeves help you maneuver into poses easily without restrictions from your shoulder joints. So, tank tops and v-neck t-shirts are a great way to go when looking for yoga tops.  

If you’re generously endowed in the breast area, it’s a good idea to use a sports bra to support you. Many people choose to only wear a sports bra during yoga, rather than wearing a sports bra and a top. You can also find yoga shirts that have built in sports bras. If you have a smaller chest, you may choose to wear no bra at all during yoga. 

What should I wear on my feet during yoga?

Generally, you will have the best luck with yoga if you perform it without anything on your feet. Your yoga studio will likely request that you remove your shoes upon entering. Some people do enjoy wearing socks while they do yoga. However, socks may often make doing yoga slippery and harder. 

If you are uncomfortable doing yoga barefoot, there are a few types of yoga socks that you can wear that are designed to not slip. Wearing socks may be worth a try if your feet need help warming up or if you have joint pain.  

You can also find yoga-friendly shoes that are designed to grip and flex as you move. These options may be ideal if you are acclimating to certain poses, you are doing yoga outdoors, or if you have mobility issues.

While you do not need to wear socks throughout your yoga practice, you may want to wear some warm socks as you cool down from a vigorous workout. Some warm, woolen grip socks can be nice to wear at the tail end of your workout. By keeping your feet warm, you will help your muscles stay relaxed.    

How should I wear my hair during yoga? 

You likely do not need to wear anything if you have short hair. However, if your hair is on the longer side, it is a good idea to have a few sturdy ways of tying your hair and maybe a non-sweat headband on hand.

There are few things more annoying than needing to pause in the idle of a yoga pose, so you can get your hair out of your face. So, it is a good idea to have your hair under control before you start doing yoga. There are several ways you can style your hair, so it does not get in your way during your yoga practice. 

The key to a yoga-friendly hairstyle is to contain all of your hair stably and simply. You do not want to be trying to maintain complicated twists while you do a headstand. 

If you have long hair, you can try a fishtail braid, a regular braid, a bubble ponytail, a ballerina bun, or a simple high ponytail. Some of these styles also work well for shorter or medium-length hair. Have fun trying different hairstyles and see which is the most comfortable option for you.

 

What other accessories do I need for yoga?

Part of the beauty of yoga is that you do not need much beyond yourself, some comfortable clothing, and a place to practice. There are a few other accessories you may want to try if you want to deepen your practice.  

The most basic yoga accessories are the yoga mat, a yoga block (depending on the style of yoga you’ll be doing), and a yoga strap. There are many different yoga mats you can choose from. When picking your mat, it is a good idea to consider thickness, weight, and materials.  

Read more:

• Best Outdoor Yoga Mat For Travel

Blocks are useful for achieving certain poses. You can place them under your pelvis, or you can position them so that you can get a deeper stretch. A strap helps you avoid straining yourself since you can use them to give yourself more room. 

Depending on your needs, you may also benefit from bolsters, yoga towels, weights, blankets, wheels, and sandbags. It is also essential that you have a good water bottle so you can avoid being dehydrated.

 

What should I wear during hot yoga?

Hot yoga is very similar to other forms of yoga. The major difference is that it is performed in temperatures between 80 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot temperatures help your muscles relax and provide several great benefits. 

As a result of the hot temperatures, you will likely sweat more and want to wear clothing that supports you during this practice. Try to pick moisture-wicking clothing. This clothing will keep the sweat from sticking to you. 

You likely also want to stick to yoga clothing items that are form-fitting. Choose fitted leggings and moisture-wicking tops. Hot yoga is not the place to wear billowing items of clothing unless you are very experienced. Keeping your hair contained is even more important when it comes to hot yoga. Opt for a headband or a controlled style. 

Remember that during hot yoga, part of the point of it is to sweat a lot. As a result, you may need to dress to avoid slipping in sweat. Keep a small towel on hand, so you can wipe down your practice area. You may even want to lay a towel over your yoga mat to help you out. There are also types of yoga mats that are specifically suited to hot yoga. 

Read more

• What To Wear For Hot Yoga – So You Don’t Pass Out On The Mat!

Final Thoughts – What To Wear For Yoga

Starting a new hobby can be intimidating if you feel like you need to wear the right clothing items. Luckily, there are amazing choices available for you, no matter what your style is.

At the end of the day, when you’re wondering what to wear for yoga, it is most important that you feel comfortable in your yoga practice. So, try a few different items and see what feels good for you as you do yoga.