Yoga Shorts
The primary guideline for any workout clothing, including yoga shorts, is to be comfortable. In yoga, the level of comfort is determined by how well the clothing minimizes sweating, assists easy movement and steers clear of being too revealing. For many years, classic gym shorts were the choice for almost any kind of physical workout regimen. Clothing designers and health enthusiasts have evolved their thinking about the practicality of gym shorts for activities like yoga.
Bikram yoga shorts will, of course, need to consider heat as one of its main design factors. Cotton is not ideal, since it sticks to the body and becomes heavier when it is wet. Most hot yoga shorts are made from spandex, Lycra, polyester or some similar material to avoid this effect. It becomes a distraction from the state of tranquility you are trying to achieve in yoga. A good, environmentally friendly alternative has been organic bamboo cotton, which does not stick to the body like traditional cotton. Bamboo naturally keeps moisture away from the body and lets your skin breathe.
Yoga shorts women might choose for yoga are about mid-thigh (or a slightly shorter) and fitted at the legs and waist, though not too snugly. Loose shorts pose a hazard, since they tend to get in the way while you are trying to hold poses. No one doing a headstand wants to keep pulling at their shorts to prevent exposing themselves while practicing yoga. Yoga shirts can also pose the same problem and should be selected with care. For those who are comfortable showing midriff, cut-off tanks that have a fitted bottom are a nice choice. If you are not exactly sure about showing your tummy this way, find a shirt that is not too loose, not too tight and not made of traditional cotton.
Mens yoga shorts should be selected with the same considerations about sweat and comfort as clothes for women are selected. The one consideration that may be added for men is to make sure that you choose material that is not weighted. Lightweight clothing helps you avoid chafing when you sweat.
The main thing to remember when choosing yoga shorts is to select based on sweat absorbency and potential for flexibility. Yoga is really focused on helping you build (and rebuild) your spiritual energy and your body strength, so it make sense that this positive attitude would begin with selecting the right workout gear. You should always choose what helps you move and what helps you and your body breathe.
Yoga Clothing
If you are just starting out in Yoga and have the average American paunch and love handles then skin tight stretch tops and pants are not going to be your best choice. In the beginning you may want to consider just plain old exercise sweats that you can purchase at the local discount store for about $20.00 a set.
As you become toned and muscular from months of practicing yoga then you will be more comfortable in the tight fitting stretchy clothing. Fashion sense has not passed up the yoga industry and you have hundreds of choices when it comes to looking trendy and showing off what you have accomplished with your body.
Just about every retailer in the United States has joined in on the yoga clothing craze and those stylish, utility, or even sexy workout clothes can be found from the most inexpensive discount retailer to the top shelf department store that caters to the fashion divas and women with more discretionary income than most.
Sustainable organic yoga tops and pants are a very popular niche industry that is selling well right now and most of these companies are donating to green and other charities a small percentage of each purchase you make. So you are not only at the cutting edge of fashion you are help others less fortunate at the same time.
Yoga tops are being worn as a part of a persons everyday clothing choice which is creating more demand and creating new competitors so the prices are going to be lower the longer this trend stays alive.
Some of the more popular yoga clothing brands are BeBe, Old Navy, I Love Yoga, Green Apple, Energy Muse, Bhakti Ware, Natural High, Love This Life, Oramomi, Global Ghetto Organics, Hyde, YOGITOES, Spooney’s, Honeydew Intimates, Land’s End, and the list goes on. So you can see that you will have an endless supply of new and unique apparel to wear daily and to your yoga studio or spa.
Plus sizes for women and big and tall men are available as well. They may cost a little extra due to more fabric in the product but you can be just as fashionable and well dressed as the size zero crowd.
Another great benefit of yoga clothing is that they are wash and wear so you don’t have to worry about taking them to the drycleaners or pressing them. Just hang them up to dry or out of the dryer and they will be ready for your active lifestyle in a flash.