Yoga Clothes: Shake Dowdy Downward Dog

Yoga is a wonderful exercise for all ages and skill levels. If you're new to a yoga class, the instructor will have extra supplies for you, so you don't have to invest a lot of money in the gear before you get started. The one thing you probably should buy before you start is yoga clothes. You won't want to wear regular old gym clothes to a yoga class, but you can wear yoga clothes for all kinds of other exercises, so even if you don't stick with yoga, you'll still be able to use your yoga clothes.
Most yoga clothes are form-fitting. This is partly so you look sleek and sexy when you're doing all your yoga poses, but the real reason is that in yoga, you spend a lot of time bent over, either in forward fold or downward facing dog positions. When you're wearing a t-shirt and you bend over like that, the shirt is going to flop right off of you. You want to be able to concentrate on your yoga and not worry about constantly fixing your shirt. My favorite yoga clothes are stretchy tanks with built-in shelf bras like this Nike Yoga Basic Top or this Champion Double Dry Printed Yoga Camisole.

Even though yoga isn't much of a cardiovascular workout, you'll be amazed at what a good sweat you will work up. The best yoga clothes are made of a good moisture wicking fabric that will help keep you comfortable while you're working hard. This Prana Men's Yoga Tank is a great moisture wicking yoga top for men.

As for yoga pants, I find it's easiest to do some of the poses, especially balance poses, when your pants aren't loose and flowing around. My favorite yoga pants are the Old Navy Women's Carbon Moisture Wicking Yoga Capris and the Athleta Chaturanga Yoga Shorts. Some people prefer a looser yoga pant, though, like the New York & Company Women's Comfortzone Crop Yoga Pants. It's all a matter of preference. Remember that moisture wicking fabrics are important in yoga pants, too. Most men do tend to wear regular sweatpants or shorts in yoga classes.

The most important thing to consider when picking out yoga clothes is to choose yoga clothes that you will be comfortable in. You need to be comfortable enough with the way you look that you will not be worrying about your appearance during your yoga practice, and also comfortable in all the various poses you will be doing. I love my yoga clothes so much that they're the only clothes I wear to work out anymore, no matter what exercises I'm doing. What are your favorite yoga clothes?