If you haven't heard of Bikram Yoga, it is one of the newer members of the yoga world. It is often referred to as "hot house" yoga because it is practiced in yoga studios that have the temperature turned up as high as 105 degrees. These rooms also have a humidity level of 40%. We're talking hot here, folks.
Bikram Yoga is named for its founder, Bikram Choudhury, which he based on the classical yoga style. It uses 26 postures, or asanas, and 2 breath work patterns, or pranayama. Other people have copied this system as it has become so popular.
I think the sweating is a given in any yoga class but with the amount of heat in Bikram Yoga classes you can be guaranteed to sweat buckets. This leads to the obvious question of what to wear in these classes.
Without a doubt your first consideration should be comfort. And they must be functional as well. Freedom of movement is a necessity so you are not restricted in any way. And please, buy a nice fabric that feels soft against your skin.
In that you know that you will be sweating here more than other yoga schools, you want this fabric to be very absorbent. Some work better than others in this regard. No one like the clammy feel of soaking wet yoga pants against them.
Although yoga claims to be a unified system of body, mind and spirit, a lot of people practice yoga to tone their muscles and developing greater awareness. Given this fact, is there anything wrong with wanting to look good while you are in your yoga studio practicing your postures?
Of course you could always stay at home to practice, sitting around in your Grateful Dead T-Shirt and Bermuda shorts. But since you've worked as hard as you have to look as good as you do, why not show it off?
So, maybe you want to shop around for some tight form fitting little number to wear to your Bikram Yoga class. Sure, let everyone see those deft lines and slinky curves as you tie yourself up those pretzel like poses.
These sorts of yoga clothes will also let you see exactly what the poses look and feel like; are you doing them correctly?