I am usually quite the workout fanatic, back in the States I would wake up every morning at 6:30am to go to the gym. Since arriving in London, I have slacked off heavily and have been gaining a few pounds here and there. So, when my housemate asked me if I wanted to join her at a Bikram Yoga class, I jumped at the opportunity. Plus, there is a beginner’s deal currently on at HOTBIKRAMYOGA located in Fulham and Balham which is just £15 for 10 consecutive days!

I had participated in yoga before, usually putting on some jogging bottoms and a T-shirt. I knew that wouldn’t be the right attire for a 44°C stale room and I got a bit nervous about what would be appropriate. I ended up wearing a swimsuit top and some leggings, but soon realized I had made the wrong decision. I soon discovered my swimsuit top was not designed to cover someone in the midst of complicated yoga positions. The leggings I wore were ones I use on a daily basis and they were a horribly hot and sticky material. As soon as I got home, I started searching the internet for yoga clothing that would also work for Bikram.

I came across Asquith London, an online yoga and Pilates clothing boutique. They specialize in the finest organic and bamboo clothing, making sure every piece is ethically produced. I called them straight away and spoke with Alice Asquith herself! She was more than willing to help me in my desperation. Not only did she tell me the best types of clothing to buy, she gave me her Top 5 Tips for yoga clothing;

Top 5 Tips for Yoga Clothing

Loose versus fitted- It all has to do with what you prefer. When in a dynamic practice session, it is usually better to wear more fitted clothing (legging, Capri, bootleg) so the fabric is out of the way. In a gentle practice, loose fitting clothing is nice for a bit of relaxation and comfort (foldover or drawstring trousers)

Natural Fabrics- Feeling good while practicing yoga is important. If you have a positive outlook of yourself, you will have a positive practice. Asquith’s Certified Organic and bamboo fabrics are not only great for the environment, but they also feel soft and luxurious against the skin.

Tops- You want to be comfortable doing stretches and moving into different poses while practicing yoga. Make sure your top is long enough to cover your midriff if this is a problem area!

Cover Ups- When going to and from yoga practice, you may want to have a cover up over your yoga clothing (I’ve noticed people in London stare if you’re in gym clothing while in public). Asquith offers super stylish wrap cardigans and funnel neck zip tops.

Quality- If you attend yoga practice regularly, you’ll want to have a few outfits. With the sweating that happens in Bikram, you’ll have to wash these clothes constantly. You want clothing that is sustainable, that won’t bobble, fade, or shrink.

Alice explained that because the bamboo plant does not need any fertilizers and is seldom eaten by pests, it is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-static, making it a great material for the skin. It is also very breathable and able to change temperatures due to the micro-gaps and micro-holes that are inherent to the bamboo fibre. When it is warm, the material is naturally cool to the touch and vice versa in cooler weather. Bamboo is a naturally durable material and can also absorb an extraordinary amount of water, which then evaporates quickly. This makes it perfect for the challenging conditions of Bikram Yoga and I can’t wait to try it out myself!

With these tips in mind, Alice suggested the best pieces to wear for Bikram would be the Bamboo Tie Pants and a Bamboo Strappy Top.

For those of you who want to get your hands on these fabulous items from Asquith London, they are offering Amazing PR readers an exclusive offer! Just go to www.asquithlondon.com, choose your favourite items and make sure to type in AMAZING20 into the promotional code box to receive your 20% discount until May 1^st!