Choosing the best yoga bra is similar to buying a sports bra, since some common forms of yoga are essentially low impact exercises. Proper fit is the most important aspect, but it is also an aspect of buying a bra that many people get wrong. Some of the best bras are also designed to pull moisture away from a person’s body for maximum comfort and minimum time spent drying. In addition, a pull-over bra or sports top with a built-in bra might be trendy, but it is usually not a particularly supportive yoga bra. Effective sports bras often resemble an everyday bra, complete with clasps in the front or back.
If you have not had a professional bra fitting since recent weight loss or gain, menopause, or child birth, this is a good place to start. Many women wear the wrong bra size, and this mistake can lead to a painful breast injury. During exercises like yoga, improperly supported breasts can move too much or restrict a woman's ability to breathe. Getting a professional bra fitting reduces the odds of wearing a poorly fitted bra. Many underwear stores no longer ask the customer to remove their clothing to measure, so you can complete a fitting within seconds.
Consider choosing a moisture-wicking fabric instead of the common cotton yoga bra. Moisture-wicking fabrics draw sweat and water away from your body and into the fabric, where it can dry quickly. Synthetic fabrics can be treated to become moisture-wicking, and some natural materials, like wool, wick moisture without treatment. Yoga bras that do not wick away moisture can become heavy with sweat and become difficult to remove. In addition, a yoga bra that is heavy with sweat or water can begin to chafe under the arms or breasts.
Shop for a yoga bra that resembles an actual bra rather than a pull-over compression top. Women who have A or B cups can sometimes settle for a compression bra, but such bras are not supportive enough for some B cup and larger breasts. A rule of thumb for getting the best yoga bra is to look for bras with multiple clasps or a zipper rather than layers of pull-over fabric. Six or more clasps can be intimidating but are necessary to provide the best fit for most cup sizes. In most cases, the clasps are located at the front of the bra since the snug fit prevents the bra from being clasped, then pulled over the head.