A typical Yogi knows that when you enter a yoga studio, or you set up to practice at home, your standard choice of yoga-wear is some yoga pants along with a fitted top of some sort. It’s kind of nice to know that you don’t really have to dress up to do your favorite exercise. Many Yogis live by the ideology of “simple is best”, but sometimes it is fun to look outside the box at some of the cool accessories that are offered to those who practice. We all know about typical props and accessories, such as yoga straps, bolsters, and even blocks, to help you on the mat, but here are some with which you may not be as familiar.

Haram Pants

Haram pants are designed for both men and women and are distinguished by their voluminous material, therefore allowing for more room for the lower part of your body. They are extremely comfortable and can be worn in all types of yoga classes (except for hot yoga because the extra fabric would probably make you feel like your legs are on fire).

They are baggy and loose-fitting but are cut off at the ankle so that you are not tripping over them. Some are loose all over, and some allow for a banded high-rise waist and then they balloon out. The drop-crotch allows for ample movement in all forms of asanas, so feel free to strike a pose in these wonderfully, comfortable pants.

Although they have been around for a while, nowadays they are represented with a bohemian style that is relaxed and free-flowing; most have a colorful design pattern all over them, and some offer pockets which makes them ideal to continue wearing after your practice, when you have to run a few errands.

Yoga Socks and Wraps

First, let us clarify the difference between yoga socks and yoga wraps. Imagine yoga wraps as more of a ballet slipper that allows your toes to be free, and a grip provides better traction for your feet when you are stepping on the mat. Most slip on easily like a sock and have slits along the sides to allow for your feet to breathe. This type of accessory is definitely something that would benefit you in a hot yoga class where you sweat a lot, and you are having difficulty keeping your poses because your feet are slipping.

Yoga socks are more like leg warmers, but here the toes and heals have holes so that you can still gain traction on your mat. They are cozy, comfortable, and come in all sorts of colors to match the rest of your yoga-wear.

Yoga Gloves

Yoga gloves are much like the yoga wraps, in that your fingers are exposed and there are non-slip bumps that allow for you to have better grip on the mat when hanging out in an inversion pose.

Although all the options can add a bit of style to your yoga uniform, each one is made to help you make the best out of your practice.

 

You walk into the studio and sit towards the back. Everyone around you unfurls their mats and you stare blankly at the empty spot of floor in front of you… Just starting out in the yoga world? You already got your yoga pants but you are not sure which mat will make your experience most enjoyable? Here we’ve looked into qualities and questions regarding yoga mats that are important to consider when comparing options to find your perfect fit.

Yoga mats come in a wide variety of thicknesses, colors, and textures. It is best to take your time and examine the selection before choosing which one is right for you. From grey to pink to blue, each mat is unique and there is one that is waiting for you to find it.

Some types are more absorbent than others, which may be important to those who sweat more profusely than others. For example, some yoga websites sell “lite” mats that have closed-cell construction, meaning that they are designed to collect sweat and not make the mat slick as you go through your yoga practice. Consider adding a yoga towel to your cart for those hot yoga classes.

Do you have any pre-existing conditions that might make certain yoga moves more painful for you? If so, you may want to look into a thicker mat with more cushioning to protect your joints from further damage. The more cushion, the more comfortable you will be in your practice. Not only is cushioning important, but you also need to keep in mind the texture of the mat, or the grip it provides on your feet. The thinner and slipperier the mat, the more difficult it will be to balance on it, potentially leading to injury or pain in your practice.

Worried about transporting your mat? Many models come with a carrying bag that makes transport a breeze. Some even have handles that make them easier to hold.

Many yoga mat brands come with unique features that distinguish them from other types of mats. For example, the Manduka mats come with a guidance stripe printed on the mat – this line helps show you your alignment in each pose. As far as designs go, the more soothing the better. The more distracting patterns can detract from your concentration and overall performance in the studio.

The Yoga Outlet website has a mat-matching quiz that you can take to find your personalized product. Answer questions like “How much do you sweat?” and “How often do you practice?” to have the perfect type of mat generated for you. Gaiam’s website has a wide range of prices for yoga mats, so if cost is an issue, that may be the best place to start. Remember not to simply purchase the first mat you see, but instead, take the time to shop around and find what you prefer.

While you might not be able to actually test out mats in the store, you could ask fellow yoga enthusiasts to test out their mats. Asking around to friends is a great way to get some input during your mat search.

Now that you’ve been introduced to some of the mat qualities to look for in your decision-making process, it’s time to go shopping!

If there’s one guarantee about a hot yoga class, it’s that you’ll sweat…. A lot! A friend of mine tricked me into going to my first hot yoga class, but I couldn’t be happier about it. My friend asked me to try a new yoga place and neglected to tell me it was hot yoga. I’m pretty sure I drank a latte before I went and wore a t-shirt. I was clearly not prepared for the class but still had a great experience. I didn’t think I’d like it because of how warm the room would be, but I remember thinking how much deeper I could get into poses because of how warmed up my muscles were. I quickly learned the importance of hydration and proper attire.

Here are my key recommendations for what to wear and bring to a hot yoga class:

Make sure to wear some sort of work out capris. It’s tempting to wear shorts because of the heat in the room, but remember, in hot yoga you will sweat. I mean literally your entire body will be covered. As someone who doesn’t sweat a lot, I leave hot yoga classes with sweat on my arms and legs which I don’t normally experience. So, if I’m sweating on my legs they are going to be slippery which will make poses like crow pose hard to perform in shorts. Capris will keep your legs covered and wick the sweat away from your body so your arms won’t slip.

Don’t wear cotton. Earlier I mentioned that I wore a t-shirt to my first hot yoga class. This was a terrible idea because the back of my shirt got soaked and ended up sticking to me, which is not comfortable. You want to wear tops that will work to keep sweat off your body so you can better perform poses and feel comfortable. What pants you wear are also important, rather than just regular leggings, make sure to wear specific leggings for yoga or other types of exercise. These will keep the moisture off of your legs.

My last piece of advice is to make sure you bring a towel and some water to class. The towel will be helpful to wipe some sweat away as I always end up getting some in my eyes which is not pleasant, and the water is just to make sure you stay hydrated. There are also towels you can purchase that go over your yoga mat that will keep you from slipping on the mat. It’s also important to be properly hydrated before going into class. Always sit down and say something to your instructor if you start to feel overheated.
The best thing you can do for a hot yoga class is just be hydrated and wear something you feel comfortable in. It’s a fantastic workout but can be ruined by unfortunate outfit decisions or not hydrating properly beforehand. Enjoy these suggestions for what to bring you class and figure out what works best for you! I generally bring a bottle of water, a wash cloth, and wear a tank top and leggings.