Yoga Essentials 101

New students often ask me what they should wear or bring to a yoga class. What kind of clothes? What kind of mat? Do I need a towel, a water bottle, shoes?  Seasoned students often ask me what I look for in a new yoga mat, where I got a specific top, or what I recommend using to solve the slippery hands issue (classic yogi problem!).  

So, I thought that it might be helpful to break down what I like to wear and/or bring to a yoga class, and why (hint: I place the upmost importance on being comfortable while practicing!), so that newer yogis know what to look for when shopping for yoga gear. 

Here are few of my preferences:

• TOPS: Personally, I think there's nothing worse than a yoga top that rides up when I'm in down dog or jumping forward + back. So, I look for either a tight-fitting top OR a top with a tight band around the waist that helps it stay put. Some brands have a way to cinch the bottom hem when practicing, which also works, but bottom line--I need the band at the bottom of the shirt to stay put. I like tanks for heated practices, and if possible, a built-in support system is always a plus. I also like quick-dry material and racerbacks ;)

• PANTS: My favorite pants for yoga are leggings of some sort, with a cinched ankle or calf. Again, pay special attention to the waistband to ensure that the pants aren't going to sag in down dog or in a forward fold (having to continually pull your pants up during practice is really annoying,  and giving the person behind you a glance at your panties or--and pardon my vulgarity--your crack, is even worse!). Again, look for a quick-drying, extra stretchy material. I usually give all of my yoga pants a down dog test in the mirror before wearing them in class (sounds silly, but it's important!). Boot leg pants are great for winter, but just be sure that they aren't going to drag on the ground. 

• MATS: If there's one thing that can ruin your practice, it's a crappy mat. I know, I know, we all have to start out with that $15 TJ Maxx or Target mat, but I promise that your yoga life will be much more enjoyable once you bite the bullet and invest in a decent mat. You can definitely get a good deal on a nicer mat if you keep your eye out for special online sales, and here are a few things to look for: Non-shiny surface, some sort of thickness (without being too cushy), an emphasis on "non slip," and a YOGA mat. Pilates mats or "sports mats" just don't get the job done. 

• SPORTS BRAS: I like a racerback sports bra that is quick-dry material and has thin straps. I also like fun colors (but that's just me...). 

• HEADBANDS: I HAVE to wear a headband when I practice, as I hate it when my hair gets in my face or sticks to my forehead. Headbands must be cotton, organic bamboo, or have some sort of grippy material on them--everything else slips and is more trouble than it's worth. 

• TOWELS: There are two options for towels when it comes to practicing yoga--if you're going to a really hot class (or you sweat a lot), you'll want to bring a little hand towel to keep by your mat to dry off with. If you have trouble with slipping on your mat, you're going to want to get some sort of skidless towel, which usually has little grippy dots on it. Both can be handy, depending on your sweat level and the type of class you're attending. 

• OTHER: In the category of totally not necessary, but helpful and/or nice to have, I would include an eye pillow, a mat strap/bag, and layers for when the body cools in savasana. Please note that you practice barefoot, so you don't need any shoes or socks, but I definitely encourage always bringing a water bottle to class so that you can stay hydrated!

If you're looking to try out some new yoga brands, or discover new pieces by your favorite yoga retailers (there are SO many good yoga brands out there these days!), I definitely recommend checking out The Clymb, which is a flash retailer that offers huge discounts on some of my fave yoga brands. Here's a link to their yoga products page: www.theclymb.com/categories/yoga. 

What type of clothing do you like to wear when practicing? What are your yoga essentials? Feel free to post your personal preferences to comments, so that newbies can have all the info possible (and more than one point of view)!

In closing, I feel like I should also say that yoga is a very basic activity--especially when it comes to gear--and you don't actually need anything if you aren't practicing in a class setting. You can practice yoga anywhere and everywhere (in your mind), wearing whatever you want--you can do yoga poses in a suit in your office, in the airport while traveling, or sans mat, in a field or on the beach...

To quote Sharon Gannon, "You don't do yoga, yoga is your natural state." 

Happy gear hunting!

This post was sponsored by The Clymb.