How to Dress for Ashtanga Yoga

When attending an Ashtanga yoga class, it's important to dress in a way that allows you freedom of movement while adequately covering your body. Ashtanga yoga involves an intense series of yoga postures that will definitely cause you to work up a sweat; so you'll want to be prepared. Here's how to dress for Ashtanga yoga.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Wear a top that will cover your body without restricting your movements. It's especially important for women to wear tops that will prevent discomfort from lack of support or accidental flashing of your classmates. Ashtanga is an athletic form of yoga in which you'll be moving through many poses very quickly, so there's a chance something could pop out if you're not careful.

2. Select bottoms that are not so baggy they'll get in your way, but loose enough to allow free movement of the limbs. Track pants, athletic shorts or yoga pants are good options.

3. Choose materials that will wick sweat away from your body. You will undoubtedly sweat a lot during class due to the heat and humidity combined with the intense workout regime. Avoid clothing that will feel sopping wet and heavy when sweaty.

4. Tie long hair back away from your face. It helps to wear a cloth headband that can hold your hair back and wick sweat away from your skin at the same time.

5. Leave your socks at home. Yoga is best performed barefoot. If you're germ phobic and don't want to touch the classroom floor with your bare feet, you can purchase yoga shoes which are specially made to be flexible.

6. Expect it to be hot. Although Bikram yoga (in which the room is heated to a minimum of 105 degrees and 40% humidity) is a different form of yoga from Ashtanga yoga, some 'Power yoga' classes also heat the room.

Resources

• Yoga clothing, shoes and equipment can be purchased from Yoga.com.