What To Wear To Your First Yoga Class
This is it. You’ve finally summoned up the courage to sign-up for your first yoga class. You’ve checked the timetable to find a time that works with your schedule. You’ve double-checked traffic, commuting times and where to park. You’re all ready to go. Except… what do you wear?
There’s a lot of advertising out there of women in crop tops and tiny shorts sweating up a storm as they stretch, bend and float through a yoga class. But don’t feel that you have to dress a certain way for your first class. Or any class at all. Today we’re going to break down what to wear to your first yoga class. Being prepared will help you feel comfortable and get the most out of the class.
What To Wear To Your First Yoga Class
First up, we want to say there’s no wrong way to dress for a yoga class. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and to be able to move. But here is some advice of what to consider when picking your outfit.
On Your Legs
There are two main considerations when it comes to what to wear on your bottom half. You want to be free to move and to not to get tangled in your clothing. Some compression or running tights may make it hard to move freely from one pose to the next. If you choose to wear yoga tights, you want to feel supported but not restricted, especially around the joints. If you choose to wear loose-fitting pants, make sure you’re not going to be catching your toes in flowing fabric.
You may also want to think about the heat. If you’ve picked a warm or hot yoga class, the temperature will be a factor. You may want to consider wearing shorts to allow more airflow on your skin. But if you feel more comfortable covered up, you can definitely wear longer pants to a hot yoga class.
On Your Top
In most yoga classes, you’re going to be folding forwards and putting your head below your heart. So when picking out the perfect yoga top, you want to ensure it’s going to stay put while you’re moving. Focusing on adjusting your clothing will prevent you from being present with your yoga practice. You can also end up with more skin exposed than you’d planned!
You also don’t want a top that is too tight and restrictive. You want to be able to move in all directions without your clothing holding you back. You also might get your breathing and heart rate up so make sure you can take some big, deep breaths in your top. Make sure it’s not squeezing your ribs so tight you can’t take a large inhale.
Sports Bras
For all women, feeling supported during their practice is important regardless of breast size. In general, most normal bras won’t stay put during your practice. Instead, look for a sports bra that is firm enough to hold you in (even while upside down). This could mean a higher neckline or wider straps.
Make sure that the band around the ribcage has enough space that you can take those deep breaths into the bottom of your ribs without feeling restricted. You want to feel supported but not confined.
Accessories
There are grippy socks and gloves for beginners to help you feel grounded and not slip. However, these generally aren’t necessary. Start with a towel over your mat if you find you’re slipping a lot and trust that you will build the strength over time.
A Note on Fabrics
Many brands make their yoga clothes from synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. However, at Sooti we focus on using cotton in all our clothing. This is mostly because of the way it feels when you’re wearing it. It’s breathable and has a soft texture against your skin. It’s also an organic product, rather than being made from a blend of synthetic materials and fossil fuels. This is better for you and the environment.
Final Note
When deciding what to wear to your first yoga class, the most important factor is comfort. You want to feel as covered up and supported as is right for you. You want your clothing to stay put so you can focus on your practice. You don’t need the latest and greatest clothing to begin a yoga practice. If you’re practising regularly, you might want to invest in specific clothing, but the most important step is to get started.
We hope this helps you feel inspired and ready to take your first yoga class. You can read more about which style of yoga to try or how to sneak yoga into a busy Mum life.