Dressing for men’s yoga is part of the program not simply for fashion or to attract attention but part of being able to participate in movement and not think about cumbersome or restrictive clothing. Any man can and should practice yoga.
The irony is the importance of appropriate yoga dress allows for forgetting about it once practice begins. Being comfortable in well fitting yoga clothes allows the mind to focus on the movement and the breath and not on whether pants are falling down or the crotch is too tight.
Men’s Yoga Fashion Dos For Shirts and Tops
A shirt is always recommended. Some experienced hot yoga practitioners will go shirtless in classes they have attended for some time. Never enter a new class without a shirt. The following yoga clothing has been spotted on men in yoga classes:
- Sleeveless T-shirts
- Short midriff baring t-shirts
- Regular T-shirts, some of which bear names of travel sites or marathons or triathelete events. T-shirts might also mention a rock group but usually don’t advertise alcohol or political events.
- Fabric should be sweat absorbent such as wick absorbing material, cotton, or hemp.
- Stretchy fabrics are fine as long as they are sweat absorbing.
- The shirt should fit the body and not be longer than upper hip length to allow for some movement but not to fall over the head in upside poses or billow around.
- The shirt should not be of material to turn into a wet clingy rag around the body spewing droplets in the air with movement.
Men’s Yoga Pants or Yoga Bottoms for Men
Pants can be pajama-like, calf or ankle length. They should not brush or wipe the floor. These pants usually have a drawstring at the waist. The fabric is the same as for shirts. Plaids, prints or solids are fine. Additional bottoms for yoga include:
- Cotton scrubs
- Karate pants
- Cargo Pants
- Surfer shorts
- Pants can be cuffed or rolled up as desired.
Gym shorts are fine; especially the double-layered kind that maintains privacy in upside down poses where the outer short might hike up.
Men’s Fashion Don’ts for Yoga
Denim usually doesn’t find its way into yoga. The material isn’t conducive to the movement. Other don'ts include:
- No flies or zippers.
- Stick to drawstring or elastic waists unless the above are really soft fabrics and the closures fit well into the folds. Think about lying on the stomach with a zipper or hook sticking into you. These closures can also become undone with spinal twists.
- Sweat pants are usually too warm and too loose. The instructor cannot reasonably see where a subtle adjustment might be made in, for example, a side angle pose.
- Sweatshirts are similarly contraindicated.
- Some classes are crowded with each person claiming only enough mat space for his domain. Be aware of revealing more skin from private places than the person behind you or next to you might want to see. A shirt that falls over the head in inversions might be uncomfortable, but loose shorts with genitalia peeking through in that same movement is awkward.
Men’s Yoga Hair
Bald or shorthaired men have no problems. Slightly longer hair sometimes is covered with a bandana. Longhaired men should follow the same instructions for women given in Yoga Hair Styles for keeping the hair off the neck and face. Don’t wear low ponytails since the knot at the neck impedes yoga floor exercises.
Men’s Yoga Footwear
Yoga is most often practiced barefoot but toe-less socks with gripping soles can be used. Yoga sandals are also available. Leg warmers can be worn and discarded as the body warms up.
Goals for Dressing for Yoga
The primary goal is comfort and to allow movement without excess material floating about the body or too tight clothes restricting flowing movement. Material should absorb sweat and not cling to the body in a wet mess, which will only chill the body after warming it up.
The purpose to wearing the right men’s yoga clothing is to not have to think about it once practice begins and to be able to move unrestricted.
Amy Andersen - Amy Andersen, MSN, ARNP, family & pediatrics certified, practices yoga and explores the inter-relationships of mind body fitness and ...
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