Before new students come to a yoga class, I usually tell them what they should bring.  Some of these might seem basic but will just throw them in the mix anyway.

What To Wear and Bring in Hot and Beginner Yoga Classes

Clothes to Stretch In –  For women this means a fitted shirt.  If you just wear a loose T-Shirt then when you do a forward fold,  you will be giving us a show of your bra and tummy.  If you are wearing a tank top be aware that you might do doing poses where you might end up giving a cleavage show.  Check your tank top that it is fitted and also covers some cleavage, especially if you are folding over.  You do a lot of bending, twisting, and sometimes hopping and jumping so you need clothes that cover your lady parts no matter which direction your body goes.

I generally would avoid shorts since many of the poses you will be wide legged and you either might be giving us a show or you run the risk of your pants splitting, which has happened to me more than once.  Sweat pants, yoga pants or my newly favorite pajama-jeans are some of my favorite bottoms to wear to yoga.

For a hot yoga class, it is acceptable and encouraged to wear crop bra tops and shorts.  Sometimes the guys don’t wear shirts for these… depends on the class though.

A yoga mat.  I always tell my students to bring their own yoga mats. Most yoga studios will have extras on hand, sometimes for free, sometimes you pay extra.  Often these are not washed or cleaned just before.  Do you really want your bare skin and face on a mat that was just smeared with someone else’s sweaty body?  .  One studio I went to never washed their mats and they smelled like Snooki’s armpit.    I like to go to The Clymb as a cost and time efficient way to find a mat online.

Water– Just plain water.  You might get pretty hot during the class and the studio often will not have a water fountain there.  Sometimes they have bottled water but then you have to pay more for it.   For a hot or power yoga class this is a must. Please don’t bring your double mochac part-skim decaf in the room.  If it spills, it will be all sticky…… yuck.

Eye Pillow – This is one of the most heavenly ways to get more connected to the ether of the universe during shavasana (relaxation) Ideally one that is lavender – scented will turbo charge this.  If you don’t have an eye pillow, then an eye- covering is a basic substitute.  A simple thing that makes relaxation more profound.  Not always easy to find these but if you do it will be worth the effort.

Towel  (For hot or power yoga only)    You’re going to sweat so planning on mopping yourself up a bit.

Depending on the class, you should inquire if you should bring blocks, a Mexican blanket and a strap and a towel..

In Restorative and Iyengar classes, they usually supply plenty of props such as blocks, blankets, chair, eye pillows and a dozen other things as well.  When you are at your mat with all your props you feel like you have your own campground.

Wallets – it has been rare but it’s worth it for your peace of mind to have your wallet and keys in the room with you.

Avoid wearing hanging jewelry such a big dangling earrings and necklaces.  When I invert then my necklace tends to choke me or whack me in the face.

Avoid dressing too sexy, which means clothes that are uber-tight and or see through. Generally it is mostly women in the class but if there are a bunch of dudes then you will feel self conscious doing a wide legged forward bend while wearing  your see through camel-toe yoga pants with your crop bra top.

Avoid heavy perfumes and scented lotions.  Just be neutral smelling.  On the flip side, don’t come to class all stinky and subject us to your fumes.

Leave your cell phone in the car.  Too easy to forget to turn it off and we don’t want to hear your snazzy cell phone ring when we are becoming one Shiva and Shakti.

 Leave your shoes off or outside the room.  In my thousands of yoga classes I have taken, I have never heard of anyone having their shoes stolen outside the room.

 What are things that you always make sure to bring or leave at home during yoga?  Post your answers on our Facebook page.