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The right outfit for practicing yoga is essential. If you are unable to move freely, or if your clothes are in the way or if your clothes are distracting (too tight or scratchy), then you will not be able to concentrate completely on your yoga practice. For yoga to be as beneificial as it can be then the right clothing needs to be worn, allowing for correct movements and avoiding unnecassary distractions.

There is not a set uniform for yoga practice although clothing specifically marketed at those who do yoga has become quite popular in recent years. This means that people can choose to be both fashionable as well as functional if that is a priority. However the most important guideline in choosing clothing is that it be comfortable.

The best clothing for yoga practices is ones that are loose and flexible but that are not too baggy. Tight clothes are too restrictive for the stretching and flexibility that yoga calls for. Clothing that is too baggy is likely to get in the way of movements and possibly cause trips or falls, especially during movements that call for balancing on one foot. Baggy clothing also makes it more difficult for the instructor to tell if you are doing the moves correctly and then help you with them. Baggy shirts also hang down and can get in your face during poses such as downward facing dog and interfere with concentration and breathing.

Another consideration for those practicing yoga is what the temperature of the room is going to be. If it will be chilly wearing long sleeved shirts is a good option, as are long yoga pants or fitted sweats. However if the room is going to be very warm, especially in yoga types like hot yoga, then shorts and tank tops are acceptable. The best option for most people is to wear light layers so that they can be taken off as you warm up and put back on during cool down.

Yoga is best performed in bare feet. This allows you to be more sensitive to your environment. This means that shoes and socks should never be worn during practice. People should also remove all jewelry before practice. Necklaces can dangle in the face during bent over positions and some believe that jewelry can disrupt the free flow of energy in the body that yoga is trying to promote. Those with long hair should tie it back before beginning practice. Strong perfumes or scents should be avoided before practice. Strong smells can be bothersome to others in the class, especially during breathing exercises.

Learn more about this author, Megan Worley.
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