How to Choose Yoga Pants

Congratulations on your decision to start a yoga practice! Use these steps to get yourself into the most comfortable yoga pants so that you can spend time enjoying your practice, rather than fidgeting around to keep them on the right way.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what is important to you. Do you worry about your behind showing while you're in your yoga class, or do you get too hot all the time? If you're currently wearing old shorts or sweats to your yoga class, then ask yourself what it is that most distracts you while you're practicing. Keep in mind that your criteria for comfortable shorts and pants may depend on what kind of yoga you're practicing that day. For example: Bikram Yoga(sometimes called Hot Yoga) enthusiasts often prefer close-fitting, moisture-wicking shorts.

2. Decide on your budget. If you need to save money, then you can easily find appropriate yoga pants or shorts at Target, Ross or Walmart. If you want to invest a little more, then Dickssportinggoods.com, YogaFit.com or Lululemon.com will have higher quality, brand name pieces. These are often worth the extra money because they last longer!

3. Consider the activity. You'll be stretching a lot, right? Buy pants that move when you move. You don't want anything too baggy or too constricting.

4. Consider coverage. You'll be bending over a lot and twisting. If you care about revealing too much skin, then consider pants or shorts that meet at the waist or just below the waist. Unless your ultra-low rise pants stay put, consider that this cut will cause you to think about wardrobe malfunctions a little too much during your yoga class.

5. Consider fabric. Many yoga pants manufacturers are catching on to the organic, all-natural trend. If you haven't tried bamboo, hemp or organic cotton clothing, then now is a great time to do so. Not only are these comfortable fabrics, but they allow you to practice the yogic principle of ahimsa or non-violence (in this case toward the Earth).

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that drawstring, zip or buttoning pants don't cut into your stomach. Try a few Twists and Forward Folds in them before you make a purchase.
• Length is up to you. Just consider that pants that are too long can get in the way when you're going through a Vinyasa or sequence of poses.

[edieness]

on 6/17/2009 Grea tips on How to Choose Yoga Pants.5*