Yoga shorts are articles of clothing that are worn during yoga. Of course, some people choose to wear yoga shorts when doing other exercise, or when simply relaxing around the house, because they are soft and comfortable. Clothing designed especially for yoga tends to be slightly more expensive than regular, casual clothing, but it is often made with organic, eco-friendly materials as well.
Yoga shorts are typically soft cotton shorts, often containing a type of stretchy material as well to make them more form-fitting, and to ensure they do not ride up while doing yoga. Some contain a microfiber blend that is intended to wick sweat away from the skin. It may be best to try on a few different pairs of shorts before finding the style and material that one prefers; there are shorts for yoga available in men's, women's, and children's styles, in many different colors and designs.
Yoga shorts vary in length as well. It is common for these shorts to be quite short when they are designed for women; they often only reach to the top of the thighs. This allows a great deal of movement and flexibility when doing yoga, but some women feel uncomfortable showing so much skin when participating in a yoga class. There are longer styles available as well, and cropped pants are quite popular for doing yoga. Men's yoga shorts tend to be much longer, and may reach nearly to the knees.
For classes such as Bikram yoga, where the heat is turned up very high in the yoga studio, extremely short yoga shorts can be the most comfortable option. The waistband on yoga shorts may differ depending on the style as well. A drawstring waistband is very common, as well as a thick waistband that can be folded over. Many people wear yoga shorts for other fitness activities as well, such as Pilates or even jogging outside.
Keep in mind that there are other pieces of clothing intended for use during yoga as well. There are a number of different yoga tops, including tank tops that often feature built-in shelf bras for women. Even though it may not seem necessary to purchase specialized clothing for doing yoga, it is often a good idea because it allows one to be comfortable, and able to move freely. Form-fitting clothing worn during yoga also allows a yoga instructor to easily determine if one is positioning the body correctly and safely.