How to dress for yoga and what to bring to your first class?
The are many benefits of yoga. It has beneficial effects on our physical and mental health. It can be practised by children, adults and even pregnant women. Yoga reduces stress, improves flexibility, muscle strength, physical health, posture and helps reduce anxiety. If you already know the benefits of yoga and have signed up for your first class, you"re probably wondering what you should bring with you and what your first class will be like. We"ve put together a little compendium of knowledge for yoga beginners.
What is yoga and what are the types of it?
Wondering what yoga is all about? It is an ancient spiritual and physical practice that originates in India. However, we should remember that it is by no means a religion. Yoga involves various techniques that aim to harmonise the body, spirit and mind. The main elements of yoga are: asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation.
There are many types of yoga, which vary in techniques, philosophy and intensity. We distinguish the following types of yoga:
- Ashtanga yoga: a very intense form of yoga consisting of a series of fixed sequences of postures;
- Hatha yoga: a basic type of yoga that involves balancing the mind and body by performing asanas and breathing techniques;
- Kundalini yoga: focuses on developing energy awareness through asanas, meditations and mantras;
- Bikram yoga: the class takes place in heated rooms so the body can rid itself of toxins, and the practice consists of performing 26 postures, always in the same order;
- Vinyasa yoga: a dynamic type of yoga in which movements are synchronised with the breath.
These are just some of the types of yoga. Remember to adapt the right type to your individual preferences and body needs.
What does the first yoga class look like?
Your first yoga class may vary depending on the yoga studio you choose, the instructor or the style of yoga you will be practising, but we will present you with a general timetable.
A yoga class usually starts with a warm-up to relax the body and stretch it a little. The instructor will then guide the participants through the asanas, or positions in yoga. At the very beginning, these will certainly be fairly simple asanas, so you don"t have to worry about anything. In your first yoga class, the instructor will also probably show you breathing techniques in yoga to calm your mind. Yoga classes end with relaxation, which can take the form of meditation. Remember that you can contact your instructor before your first yoga class and ask him or her any questions you have.
What should be in your yoga bag?
Invest in the yoga mat
Yoga schools usually have mats available for participants, but if you want to stay hygienic, you can get your own mat straight away. You never know who has used a particular mat before and whether it has been properly disinfected. A yoga mat will provide you with adequate stability, which is extremely important when performing asanas, when you need to control your body to keep your balance. When choosing a yoga mat, you can choose its thickness, texture and size. In the S"portofino offer you will find yoga mats from brands such as Adidas by Stella McCartney, Pendleton or No Ka"Oi. Among other things, the mats available in our collection are made of quilted microfibre and sponge, which provide the right grip to the floor.
Bottle of water for body hydration
Take a bottle of water with you to yoga class as your mouth might dry up while doing breathing exercises. The Adidas by Stella McCartney bottle is the perfect solution for those who want to take care of the planet. The bottle is made of metal, so it is very durable and does not absorb odours.
A towel will certainly come in handy
It may seem like an unnecessary item in your bag, but trust us - a towel in a yoga class can really come in handy. Above all, it has hygienic qualities. You can use it to wipe your sweaty forehead or lay it on your mat if you don"t have one of your own and are using the one in the yoga studio. You can also use the towel as a cushion or as a helpful object when performing certain asanas.
What to wear on a yoga class?
Wondering what to wear during practicing yoga? Choose stretchy clothes that provide freedom of movement. They shouldn"t be too tight, or too loose either. Clothes that are too tight can cause discomfort, and T-shirts or tops that are too loose can distract you, which is not what you wish. The design and fabric of yoga clothing is also important. If you"re a fan of minimalism, go for sets in subdued colours with no eye-catching patterns. However, if you like bright colours and interesting patterns, S"portofino has something for you as well, e.g. the LoveShackFancy, which has beautiful sets in floral motifs, such as these Adries leggings in a blue print. You can match it with an Ornice sports top to complete a fashionable and comfortable yoga outfit.
Yoga clothes should be made from elastic and breathable fabrics. The most frequently used fabrics are:
- cotton, that is soft and pleasant to the skin,
- polyester, because it’s durable and dries quickly; it also wicks moisture away and leaves the skin dry,
- nylon, which is lightweight, elastic, and dries quickly,
- spandex – it’s elastic and provides freedom of movement, it’s also added to other fabrics to increase their elasticity,
- lycra, which is a type of spandex; it provides ideal body adjustment and preserves its properties for a long time.
Which clothes should be taken on a first yoga class?
Choosing yoga leggings, pay attention to the fabric they’re made of, whether they’re elastic and equipped with and elastic waistband that ensures comfort while exercising. Remember, that leggings should provide perfect fit to your body. In the S"portofino collection you will find interesting yoga leggings in many colours and patterns from brands such as Varley, Deha, LoveShackFancy or Adidas by Stella McCartney. We suggest the Let"s Move High Rise Legging 25 with an original animal motif by Varley to combine with the matching Let"s Move Valerie Bra sports top in the same pattern. The set is made from high-quality materials with breathable and moisture-absorbing properties, the leggings are equipped with a waistband that beautifully contours your silhouette and keeps you comfortable while performing asanas.Yoga leggings
Yoga top
A yoga top should fit your body well and ensure freedom of movement when performing different yoga poses. You can choose fitted models such as this Ornice sports top by LoveShackFancy or slightly looser t-shirts. It all depends on your preferences and the type of yoga that you practice. In higher temperatures, short, fitted tops will work better. When choosing a top, also pay attention to the type of trim. Yoga clothing should keep you comfortable at the highest level. The seams in the clothing shouldn"t pinch you and make you feel uncomfortable.
Yoga sweatshirt
Yoga sweatshirt is useful at the end of a class when your instructor has moved on to relaxation or at the beginning of a class when you are not yet sufficiently warmed up. You can wrap yourself up in a warm sweatshirt to help keep your body at the right temperature. If the yoga class will be held outside, the sweatshirt will protect you from the bad weather. In the S"portofino collection you will find comfortable sweatshirts by Goldbergh made from a stretchy blend of cotton and technical fibres.
First yoga practice – summary
With our list of must-have items for yoga, your first class is certain to be a lot of fun. Remember that a good attitude is essential. With the yoga clothes and accessories available at S"portofino, you"ll look fashionable, feel comfortable and learning new asanas will be pure pleasure. See you on the mat!