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Yoga Wear

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Yoga Wear

Yoga Wear

Yoga wear is an up and coming area of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel that has received increased interest in recent years. Due to the popularity of yoga, and estimated 16.5 million people in the United States employ yoga instructors, owners, and accessories dealers to the tune of $3 billion annually, it follows that the apparel industry in interested in marketing a specific form of clothing that is conducive to the demands of yoga.

Yoga is a well known and well practiced activity meant to help the user meditate, improve flexibility, and strength. There are no weights in yoga, just the repositioning of the body weight  in various poses to exercise the body and improve flexibility. Since the process is simply manipulating the body’s position, flexible clothing must be offered. This is where the niche market of yoga wear interjects itself. All of the clothing is minimalistic, providing at most two layers of fabric that is slightly stretchy and usually abundant. Several different categories of yoga wear will now be mapped from the perspective of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel.

The branches of potential yoga wear for women are immense. Moving from the smallest to the greatest in terms of tops, the first is the yoga bra. The bra is similar to a sport bra with minimal stitching and total coverage. The goal is not to prevent any movement as with a jogging bra, but simply to provide a comfortable hold so that your focus can be on your meditation and not your neckline. The tank tops, or camisole work to give you a minimalistic sleeveless shirt. These are advantageous because they allow for modest wearing while still retaining all of the mobility of a simple bra. Next is the short sleeve shirt. These shirts are generally tight around the mid rift, but again allow for full arm mobility. The long sleeve shirt is next, and in line with the other shirts is generally skintight, although some versions have openings near the armpit or extra fabric so as to prevent any limited mobility. Then there are various alterations on the long sleeve shirt including three quarter length sleeves, and hoodies. Full blown jackets are available, but usually you take them off during the actual yoga session.

Women’s yoga wear is a diverse category, but as states the fabric’s are usually soft and thin to allow for minimal heat retention while providing maximum flexibility. As will other clothing types, there are shorts, capris, pants, and sutra pants available. The shorts give the wearer the most flexibility for the least fabric. The capris are generally desirable because they are no long, so you cannot trip or inhibit yourself with their length. Straight pants are available for those who search, but generally long pants in yoga means that you’re wearing sutra pants. These pants usually wear low, as tight around the waist, but flair out immediately. The feet area is very large with lots of fabric surrounding the leg. Dancers also commonly use these pants, but they provide plenty of ventilation and flexibility for yoga exercises and poses.

Men’s yoga wear is similar to the rest of the wearing categories, but with the minimalist approach on fabric. Shorts, short sleeved shirts, cargo pants, sports shorts, tank tops, pants and jackets. For men, the T-shirts usually have a pattern on them in a small tranquil and peaceful design. Dark colors and white are the most common, although any color can be fashioned if the shirt is customized. The pants sometimes have pockets similar to a good pair of hiking shorts or cargo pants, but it is generally recommended that your pockets be emptied in case you fall on your mat. Also, sutra pants are available for men.

Overall most forms of clothing are available in some form of yoga wear derived alternative. These are similar to workout suits, with the exception that they might have more patterns that emphasize balance and peace. The sutra pants are unique to meditation and yoga and are available to both men and women. With this customized clothing in tow, yoga is sure to be a breeze.