What to Wear for Hot Yoga

(Psst...we have a confession. SunstoneFIT is actually body temperate yoga, not “hot,” with our warmest class at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with 60% humidity.)

Your body and mind will thank you as you enjoy cardiovascular benefits, build strength and flexibility, and naturally manage your weight and stress levels. The studio will feel warm and humid, and you are going to sweat. What you choose to wear can have a major impact on how your body handles the heat and on your ability to get into certain poses, so don comfortable clothes that will breathe and not hinder your movements.

Fabric types. Avoid 100% cotton tops because they will soak up your sweat and become heavy and uncomfortable. Instead, look for lightweight materials with some Spandex in them. Many activewear companies now utilize sweat-wicking fabrics that draw sweat away from the body and push it through the clothing’s surface, where it evaporates, helping keep you cooler. Avoid your favorite fleece sweats. They will hold moisture and “drag you down.”

Fit. Opt for clothes that are not too tight, nor too loose. They will move easily with you in poses. Super-loose t-shirts and pants are more likely to get in your way or gap or reveal too much in certain poses. Also, well-fitted clothing allows your instructor to better assess your alignment and offer appropriate adjustments.

Transparency. Whether you’re trying on clothes at the store or going through your closet at home, make sure that you are selecting pants that fit. Spandex is a wonderful thing, but stretch it too tight, and clothing can become more like a window than we realize, especially in certain poses. If your pants stretch a lot when you’re just putting them on and then stretch again in a forward bend, you may be opening up more than your chakras to the rest of the class. So try on your potential duds and do a wide-legged forward bend in front of a mirror. This way, you can ensure you won’t be the focal point of a peep show.

Coverage. It is up to you how much (or little) skin you want to show in the yoga room. From pants to short shorts, bra tops to fitted shirts, our students wardrobes run the gamut. As long as all of your personal bits and pieces are covered, your fellow students and teachers won’t mind what you are wearing, so wear what is most comfortable for you.

Men who choose to wear looser fitting shorts should wear a compression garment underneath to ensure full coverage. Ideally, men’s shorts should fit closer to the body. Many of our male students wear wear lined bathing trunks, biking shorts, athletic shorts. Men have the option to go shirtless (and many do).

For ladies, while you might think that the shortest shorts are the best due to the heat, some of our students prefer pants and capris because their legs are less slippery for certain poses (like Crow).

Jewelry, Hair and Makeup. Leave any big jewelry or watches at home or stored safely outside of the hot room. They will only become hindrances in the studio and if you take them off in the hot room, you may accidentally leave them behind. If you have long hair, pull it back into a ponytail, bun, or braid so it won’t get in your face. Headbands and bandanas are also helpful to keep wispies and flyaways out of your eyes. Think twice about your makeup choice - anything that can smear, drip or move will in our environment. We want you to be able to focus on your efforts in class.

You don't have to worry about footwear as bare feet are best. We’ll provide a spot for you to store your shoes at the beginning of class. Finally, consider whether you want to bring an extra change of clothes with you to change into.