You don’t need designer gear to practice yoga. But you do need to move without fidgeting. I’ve taught thousands of classes, and worn everything from surf shorts to secondhand compression tights. Here’s a simple guide to what works best when you’re on the mat, whether you’re flowing in a 30°C jungle or demoing poses in front of 20 new trainees.
Yoga movement is about freedom: tight shoulders, slipping waistbands, or jangly bracelets turn freedom into fidgeting. The boom in “yoga fashion” means choice overload, so here’s a simple filter: if it lets you move, breathe, and focus, it works. Bonus points if it treads lightly on the planet.
The essentials
Organic cotton, bamboo, recycled synthetics, or better yet second-hand finds reduce fashion footprint without sacrificing comfort. Bonus: lower footprint = higher karma.
Things to skip
Loud logos and neon patterns distract attention from the practice.
A note for fellow teachers
If you demo poses, pick colours and fits that let students see your joints and spine clearly. A solid-colour top and fitted leggings or shorts work better than flowy layers when you’re showing alignment.
