everyday yoga for the everyday man

There have been more than a few times where I’ve felt I was interrupting a fashion show in yoga studio, where every mat was a runway for a brightly-colored model wearing a form-fitting lycra blends while gracefully posing for the rest of the class. For an average guy just starting out, this can be somewhat intimidating. Actually, it can be downright disheartening—especially when you’re wearing your favorite pair of ripped board shorts and a baggy basketball jersey only to find that the Velcro fly keeps popping open and the jersey flops down over your head in every. goddamn. downward. dog.

The best clothing to wear for yoga is anything that you’re comfortable to move in. Think light, loose fitting clothing that allows your skin to breathe and your body to move in any direction without getting caught on anything. The less bulky or bunchy, the better—it’s easier to move easy when you can easily move. Say that 5 times fast.

The practice of yoga is one of paying attention to how the body connects with the world it moves in. When you begin to cut out all of the distractions (slowly, slowly) and focus on the sensations that come up while you practice, you’ll probably find it easier to do that when you don’t have to worry that your pants are going to tear at the crotch every time you step one of your feet forward between your hands. You also might find that your body will be more sensitive while your practicing, so there will be less distractions if you keeping your clothing simple.

Here are a few guidelines when deciding what to wear to class:

-Light, loose fitting clothing. It’s being mentioned a lot here because you are going to hear that everywhere else.  Good: cotton, linen, most athletic gear (leave the hockey pads at home). Bad: Denim, corduroy, leather, rubber (or anything squeaky, for that matter).

-But not too light or loose. There is one thing that men have to worry about that women don’t (during yoga, that is): the penis. Whatever you wear should offer support for your situation down there—not just to keep you from flopping willy-nilly, but so others don’t have to risk seeing one of your lil’ buddies trying to sneak out during a forward fold. Running shorts offer a nice first line of defense with the sewn-in genital hammock, although make sure that your shorts aren’t too short.

-Don’t hide the body, just cover it. If you are swimming in a sea of fabric like you’re dressed up as a ghost for Halloween, your teacher won’t be able to see your posture or alignment. This means that they can’t offer valuable insight or tips for your practice. Less is more here—show ankles and bear your arms like it’s high fashion on Coney Island circa 1907. It’ll be easier to place your hands and feet where and how each different posture requires, as well as for your teacher to give you a few helpful adjustments.

-Natural fiber or special anti-sweaty stuff? This choice depends on you. If you wanna keep it organic, go with cotton or similar materials. Cotton, however, absorbs sweat and holds onto it. You might start off nice and dry, but if you sweat a lot, you’ll soon be having a wet t-shirt yoga class. In this case, sweatier average jogis might want to look into quick-drying athletic gear that wicks away sweat from the skin, allowing your body to breathe easier. Important to note: wash this gear regularly, as it tends to develop a smell over time.

-Avoid excess baggage. Take off your watch, your hat, your sunglasses, and as much of your jewelry as you can bear to part with. Not only will you be able to move easier without fear breaking anything, but your teacher will have a better chance to give hands on adjustments when necessary.

-Don’t practice in street clothes in public studios. People have gone through effort to create a sacred space for others to practice in. Bring a change of clothing and give yourself a chance to leave any stress, negative energy, or dirt outside with your shoes. Use the time it takes you to change into your yoga gear to slow down and prepare yourself for the class. Also, this will ensure that you don’t have to leave the studio all sweaty because you’ve got an extra pair of pants, dapper dan.

Again, the most important thing is that you get on that mat and do yoga. It doesn’t really matter what you wear or how you look, but that you give yourself the chance to move, breathe, and listen to the body.