If you’re thinking about trying Bikram yoga for the first time - or if you’re a veteran practitioner looking to upgrade your gear - here are the most important items you’ll need for Bikram classes, which differ from many of the other types of yoga.
Bikram yoga is done in a hot room - very hot, 105 degrees. There are other types of yoga that are offered in heated rooms, but Bikram yoga encompasses just 26 specific postures. This consistent regimen, combined with the heat and humidity, makes certain clothing and gear highly recommended for women who are practicing.
If you’re going to your first Bikram class, there’s no need to go out and buy these items before you know you plan on continuing. Most studios will rent a mat and towels to you. You likely already have clothing that will meet your needs for your first few classes. But if you’re going to become a regular practitioner, or if you already are, here are some things that will improve your experiences.
A yoga mat and the right towels
You will need a yoga mat. But the towel you will place on top of it is even more important. A standard width mat is fine for most people; I’d caution against using a very thin “travel” mat, as some poses are done in a kneeling position, resting on your knees, where extra cushioning is appreciated.
You need a towel on top of your mat because you will sweat more than you thought possible. For your first class, a bath or beach towel will be fine. But once you’ve committed to going to classes regularly, I highly recommend a towel specific for yoga. It should fit your mat well and will be thinner and easier to take to and from class. Most important is a towel that will not budge. I have found that both regular cotton towels, and even most thinner, microfiber yoga towels move around and get lumpy during poses and need to get smoothed out frequently, an unneeded distraction during class.
I have tried a few yoga specific models. I love Prana’s Synergy Towel Mat, it has a nice top and a rubber bottom that does not budge. Unfortunately, they are discontinuing it. Two great alternatives are Prana’s Transformation Mat and Lululemon’s The Towel. The thin Transformation Mat, used as a towel, has a rubber backing so it stays put. The Towel is absorbent, despite being super thin, and comes in nice designs.
Mat and towel stickiness for poses is not an issue, as it can be in more traditional forms of yoga, because in Bikram there is no downward dog or similar poses where sliding hands or feet can be a concern
You’ll also want a hand towel to wipe the sweat from your eyes and face. I’m not picky about these. There are yoga towels made just for this purpose, and again, microfiber towels are thinner and convenient, but a soft cotton one will work well too.
Water bottle
You will want to replenish fluids during class. I like Polar’s squeezable sport bottles. Their insulation will help to keep your water cool in the heated room, the sport top means there’s no need to unscrew a top and there won’t be a big spill if you kick it over. Plus they’re dishwasher and freezer safe, made in the U.S. and inexpensive.
What to wear - Tops
Don’t even think about wearing a cotton T-shirt, you’ll regret it. A light, fitted, wicking yoga tank top with thin straps is the way to go. Many people wear just copped bra tops. In a Bikram class, people will wear less than you may expect in a yoga class - remember it’s over 100 degrees and humid. Even if you do not think of yourself as someone who would wear just a bra top - like me, it has its advantages. One of the often repeated lines in the Bikram script is “…see your ribcage expand in the mirror.” It’s easier without a shirt covering it. And cropped tops also encourage you to try to pull in your stomach, a condition of some of the poses. For longer tops, I am a fan of merino wool because of its natural wicking properties and surprising softness. Smartwool’s PhD Seamless Long Bra fits the bill nicely.
What to wear - Bottoms
Like the tops, light and wicking is important. Because of the heat, shorts are preferred. A number of people wear small shorts with string ties on the side that allow you to cinch them to the height you choose. There are yoga-specific shorts, though as I think that many workout or running shorts work well. Avoid those with zippered pockets on the back, as you’ll spend some time lying on your back and this will interfere. For loose-fit shorts, you’ll want those that have internal wicking liners to avoid the need for additional layers.
Mat bag and sweaty clothes bag
There are lots of bags and straps out there for mats, as well as totes for clothes, etc. that may also hold mats. What is the most important factor to me is what you’re doing after yoga, and how you’re getting there. If you’re walking to lunch or errands, you have different needs than if you’re just driving straight home. And when I’m doing the latter, I try to not even roll my mat and towel, just fold them loosely and separately, since they’re so damp.
What I cannot do without, though, is a cute bag to drop my wet yoga clothes into. Denver-based The Sweat Mate crafts reusable, washable, waterproof-lined bags that cinch close.
If you’re new to Bikram yoga, or a seasoned yogi, the right clothes and gear can benefit your practice.
