One of the main benefits of both Yoga and Pilates is just how easy they are to do at home. You need very little equipment – just a mat, some comfy clothes and an open mind really!
What do you Need for Yoga?
Start with some loose, comfortable clothing and a Yoga mat. Yoga is very much about tuning into the sensations inside the body. For some people, this can be a slightly odd experience and something they’re not particularly comfortable with. That’s why an open mind is probably the most important thing you need for any Yoga session – whether it’s in your living room, or in one of our centres.. Once you’ve got comfortable, then you can start thinking about investing in some more advanced Yoga kit.
Active wear and sports intimates have come a long way since the days of wearing a loose oversized cotton t-shirt and shorts with more than two conventional holes to put your legs through. Today, particularly yoga equipment, comes in a range of colours and designs, with some high-end brands offering fabrics that possess multi-stretch and sweat-wicking properties allowing you to stay comfortable and dry during practice.
However, not all textiles perform the same way. Owing to their structure, many have unique properties and behave completely differently to others. When choosing certain clothes to work out in, you to bear in mind that it is the type of fibre, fabric structure and weight that are the most important parameters when wearing them for their intended purpose.
New Materials for Yoga and Pilates Equipment
Modern fibres like polyester are really light, although some can feel a little rough to the touch. Originally designed with the intention to replace heavier natural fibres, polyester can improve breathability. Much of the Yoga equipment you’ll currently find on the market is made from polyester to provide adequate moisture management, which is essential during an hour’s worth of vinyasas.
Other synthetic fibres, such as polyamide (also known as nylon), have greater moisture loving properties than polyester. This is because many polyester fabrics are hydrophobic by nature, meaning they are resistant to liquid and therefore dry more quickly.
There are also some other differences. While polyamide fabrics tend to dry less quickly, the flip side is they are much softer to the touch and pliable. This is because polyamide fabrics were initially intended as an alternative for silk, which is fantastically smooth and cool to wear.
Pilates
If you’re practising Pilates at home, the first thing you need to make sure is that, like Yoga, you’ve got plenty of space. Next, wear some comfy, but still body-hugging clothing. You don’t want to be getting caught up in bits of material. The outfit should allow your body to flow smoothly from movement to movement.
One thing that you don’t need, however, is a pair of shoes. You can be either barefoot or use special Pilates socks. In certain cases you should bring your own mat, however, Everyone Active provides enough mats for the classes’ attendees.