Curious about what to wear to yoga class? Connect with your inner yogi and learn what to wear to yoga with this adidas guide for yoga learners and lovers.

The history of Yoga is often said to be unclear and contested. Some scholars trace the development of yoga back 5,000 years, whereas others think yoga may be as old as 10,000 years. In the 2nd century CE, Patañjali, an ancient Indian sage, wrote the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, the earliest and best-known systematic presentation of yoga practices and philosophies marks the beginning of yoga’s so-called classical era. Yoga Sūtras by Patañjali A synthesis of knowledge about yoga from several old wisdom traditions, the Yoga Sūtras organized the yoga practice as an eight-fold spiritual journey of steps to be taken on the path toward Samadhi, Sanskrit for “total self-collectedness”—an alert state of deep mental concentration characterized by a blissful ecstatic union with the ultimate reality of the universe. Sometimes referred to as the way of Raja Yoga, the eight elements in the Yoga Sūtras were: Yama (“restrain”) The yamas, or restraints, can be summarized as five ethical guidelines that outline a social code of conduct that should be applied when interacting with the world around you. Niyama (“discipline”) The niyamas, or observances, are practices that should be used when turning inward to improve the self. They form a necessary step in preparation for meditation, creating inner focus. Asana (“position”) The original meaning of asana, or posture, was simply a comfortable seat in which to engage in the practice of pranayama and meditation. In today's yoga practice, asana refers to any part of a posture in the yoga practice Pranayama (“breath control”) Regulating the cycle of inhalation, exhalation and retention of breath is the focus of pranayama, or breath control. As a preparation for meditation, it centers us and helps the body and mind stay in the present moment and focus inward. Pratyahara (“withdrawal of the senses”) Pratyahara, or the withdrawal of the senses, is the practice of isolating consciousness from all distractions and functions as the final physical preparation for meditation as outlined in the last three elements. Dharana (“holding on”) Dharana, or concentration, is the initial stage of meditation and the start of the inner journey. During this meditation, you focus your attention on a single part of your body or an image in your mind. Dhyana (“concentrated meditation”) Reaching the stage of dhyana, or meditation, you bring all your attention to a single object that is not further specified in Patañjali’s original texts. Exclusion of all other objects and complete focus aims to clear the mind of all thoughts and images. Samadhi (“liberation”) Samadhi, or pure contemplation, is achieved when the person meditating merges with the object of their meditation. While Patañjali’s explanation ends here, this final stage has been interpreted to mean the union with the divine or highest reality. "People say that Yoga is a science of finding tranquility amidst the chaos of life. And I think somehow it is true. To have some time to find space in your mind." -Paulo Dybala, Football Player Contemporary yoga is often a predominantly posture-based physical activity consisting of asanas that are oftentimes connected through smooth transitions, the vinyāsas, and sometimes combined with controlled breathing or breathing exercises. Starting a regular yoga practice means taking time for yourself to focus on your body and mind. Read more about yoga on the adidas blog and get ready to roll out the mat and try it yourself."

There is a jungle of yoga practices and poses (asanas) out there, and finding your own preference and purpose in the world of yoga can be just as exhausting as your very first yoga class. Whether you are a complete beginner or have done a class or two, we have scouted the terrain to give you a digest of four of the most practiced yoga styles. With this guide, you can decide which style resonates with you the most, so you may focus on rolling out that mat and make space for yourself. Different yoga styles cater to different needs and goals. Some types are fast-paced and physically demanding, while others are more restorative and relaxing. No matter what your day looks like, it's a good idea to take a break and make space for yoga. CHOOSE FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF YOGA It’s all very well buying yourself a yoga mat and getting the outfit right, but to really get the most out of your practice, it’s key to understand a little bit more about the different types of yoga. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root word yuj, meaning to yoke, join, or unite, and this points to the underlying principle of yoga: to create a closer connection between your mind and body through controlled movement and meditation. Though people have been doing yoga for more than 2000 years, at its root, yoga has always been all about cultivating that connection. If you make space in your life regularly—and find comfort and ease in your practice—yoga can be a daily opportunity for you to breathe and be yourself in both mind and body. 4 OF THE MOST PRACTICED YOGA STYLES AND THEIR BENEFITS Whatever type of yoga resonates most deeply with you, through consistent practice, you can find a sense of harmony with yourself and the world around you—with the Earth and the elements. If you afford yourself the time and space to unwind, really focus and find flow, and delve deeply into your poses, you may discover new, transformative dimensions of your mind and body with any style of yoga. If you make space in your life regularly—and find comfort and ease in your practice—yoga can be a daily opportunity for you to breathe and be yourself in both mind and body. HOT YOGA Hot Yoga is performed in a super-hot room with a series of 26 poses that are the same worldwide. A sweaty experience, indeed, and arguably not for the faint of heart. During the 90-minute Hot Yoga class, the room is heated to approximately 105 °F (41 °C). Hot Yoga is certainly sweatier than any other yoga practice, and wearing gear with AEROREADY technology which uses sweat wicking or absorbent materials to keep you feeling dry so you may focus entirely on your practice. YIN YOGA Yin Yoga is closest to meditation. Targeting your deep connective tissues instead of your muscles, it’s a slower-paced style where poses are held for up to several minutes. In keeping with its roots in Chinese medicine and the Taoist philosophy of yin and yang, Yin Yoga combines stretching and relaxing into various yoga poses. Yin Yoga is a slower-paced yoga practice that turns the focus to stretching and is less dynamic. Wear yoga gear that moves and stretches with you as you stand up or lie down in yoga poses. HATHA YOGA Hatha Yoga is the style that typically comes closest to what most people think of when they think of yoga. In Sanskrit, the meaning of the word Hatha is ‘discipline of force,’ but Hatha Yoga has come a long way since its 1st-century origins. The techniques of Hatha were honed by 11th-century Hindu master yogi Gorakhnath, and the style started spreading in the West during the late 19th century, gaining mainstream popularity in the 1960s. A modern-day Hatha yoga class focuses on the physical exercise of the poses. Hatha Yoga classes tend to be slower and less flowy than more dynamic yoga styles, with poses being held for a more extended period. ASHTANGA YOGA Though the history of Ashtanga is still debated, it has been growing in popularity since the early 1990s as a more dynamic and demanding form of Hatha Yoga. Often promoted as a modern-day take on classical Indian yoga, many people know Ashtanga Yoga through the various spinoff styles of Power Yoga. During an Ashtanga class, you go through a fixed order of poses, focusing on your breath to maintain the pose before flowing into the next one. The Ashtanga sequence has sun salutations, strong standing postures, twists, backbends, and many forward folds,” says certified yoga instructor and adidas Senior Key Account Manager Helen Johnson. “The practice stays the same—it’s you that changes day by day.” Yoga is so much more than sweaty poses on a slippery mat—it’s about making space in your life for your yoga practice. The key to any yoga practice is finding your own preferred yoga style, choosing a class and wearing yoga gear that allows you to move freely through the poses. Whether you are just getting started or have some yoga experience, we hope you will be rolling out that yoga mat to make space for yourself.

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