The Best Clothes for Yoga
By Anna Wallner and Kristina Matistic
Newer isn't always better, especially when it comes to exercise. The practice of yoga has been around for thousands of years. And after its resurgence in the late '90s, this "trend" in physical fitness and mental well-being looks like it's here to stay. Whether you're just beginning to strike a pose or are well versed in downward dog, here are our top tips on buying yoga wear:
- Check the seams. Look for flat-lock stitching as opposed to serge stitching. As the name suggests, flat-lock seams lie flat and are less likely to cause chafing.
- Make sure your clothing stretches with you. Look for Lycra or Spandex in your workout wear; about 14 percent is optimum. But try to avoid fabrics that are too slippery. It can make it difficult to hold postures like the tree pose.
- Fabrics that wick away sweat and dry quickly are an added bonus, especially for Bikram's Yoga, the kind you perform in a heated room.
- Yoga involves a lot of inverted postures. Choose body hugging tops that won't flop over your head, leaving your torso exposed.
- Avoid tops with plastic extenders on the strap (like those used in bras). They can be uncomfortable when lying on your back and are prone to breakage.
- Don't throw your workout wear in the dryer. Line-dry your yoga clothes to extend their lifespan.
- If you're going to invest, spend more on bottoms than tops. Pants and shorts take more of a beating. Plus, you'll want a thicker fabric to cover your derriere when you're bending over.
(Anna Wallner and Kristina Matistic host The Shopping Bags. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
| 
)
