Yoga: What to wear and where to practice

Once I reached a "certain age" I began to develop an aversion to shopping for clothes. Pants were tighter, blouses gapped. But it was the rear view from a three-way mirror in a brightly lit dressing room that was most shocking. Where did I get all that flesh on my back? It looked like the part of a chicken no one wanted.

I'd been going to yoga for years. But "going" meant "sporadically dropping in," so I began to practice consistently — at least three days a week. Slowly, I noticed my clothes fit better. Eventually I was 10 pounds lighter and two sizes smaller. It was a miracle! Not really. It was discipline and hard work. Since then, I'm an advocate of the physical benefits of yoga, and continue to work on the mental benefits which take much more effort in my particular case. Why practice concentration when I'm in downward dog when I can contemplate my pedicure and dream about chocolate cake?

At any rate, all of this yoga prompted me to get more than one pair of yoga pants. There is so much to choose from now. While some shops specialize in yoga wear, many yoga studios have conveniently opened boutiques in their own space. Here are a few places to gear up for the lotus position, plus some studios for your practice.

YOGA WEAR

Lululemon Athletica
Lululemon yoga wear is, in a word, amazing. Yoga devotees have extolled the virtues and fit of this line for years, journeying to the Vancouver, B.C-based retailer to stock up. Now they can save gas: There's a new store in Bellevue Square.

The shop itself is a metaphor for yoga: progressive designs that are constantly re-evaluated and improved, orderly organization of clothing that flows nicely with serene elements such as a trickling wall fountain and a stone-lined water basin. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV shows healthy, smiling yogis and yoginis perfecting their asanas in exotic, tropical locales.

But back to the cute clothes, every pant, top, jacket and hoodie is thoughtfully constructed, down to the tiniest detail. Most are made of Luon (a patented moisture-wicking fabric), every seam is flat stitched so rough edges don't chafe (it really works!), fabrics are preshrunk, hidden pockets in pants and jackets accommodate keys and cash, jackets have two-way zippers, the logo is reflective, and longer sleeves on jackets can cover hands in the cold.

"We're huge on functional wear with detail," says store owner Nikki Bertelli, showing me a detachable hair tie on the zipper. I like the women's carryall pants that have multiple pockets labeled for your convenience with "Tunes," "Love Notes" and "Lip Gloss," lest you forget.

Even without the help of the enthusiastic and congenial staff, it's easy to find things that fit here. Bra tops and workout tops are organized from the least to most supportive, and the pant wall ranges from tightest fit to loosest fit. Most pieces are solid and colorful and can easily be mixed and matched. If you see a color you like, nab it. They change about every 21 days to keep things fresh. The selection for men is smaller and more basic, but has all the clever features as the women's clothing. Men's carryall pants are water-resistant and have pockets everywhere. Prices for clothing are reasonable for the excellent quality: Bra tops are about $32, tops are $44-$48, hoodies are $76, and pants go up to $92. The store also offers free hemming services.

Lululemon also carries yoga bags and mats. I like the new Eco Mats ($35). They're bio-degradable and a little stickier than your typical mat, and more absorbent

8 Limbs Yoga Center and Boutique
You'll find everything you need for your yoga practice in this fully stocked boutique adjacent to the studio. This season, boutique manager Kristin Welch is seeing a lot of crossover from street fashion to yoga wear with bohemian looks, beadwork and embroidery. Many pants are coming with unfinished edges, so you can easily adjust the length or crop them simply by cutting them off. Tops are longer, and there are pieces for layering, including short and long yoga skirts that make a seamless transition from studio to street. Hot colors include jewel tones, teal, burgundy and greens.

8 Limbs carries a wide selection of brands including Marika, Lululemon and Prana. New this year is made-in-the-USA Jack and Ginger, a cotton Lycra line with detailed graphics and jewels. "The clothes feel like butter — they're so comfortable but they're fitted and substantial," says Welch. There's also a trend toward ecosensitive clothing and props, such as apparel with organic cotton, PVC-free yoga mats by Harmony, and City Lights yoga wear where color dying is done in an ecological manner.

Tip: There are usually a few deep wicker baskets filled with sale-price merchandise.

Lucy
This Portland-based active-wear shop carries clothing for yogis, runners and gym goers from brands such as Puma, Water Girl and Om Girl. Believing women come in all shapes and sizes, Lucy's own eponymous line has a wide range of sizes (from 0 to 18) and three lengths of ready-to-wear pants. This fall, Lucy is focusing on pieces that can be worn for workout or weekend. The gear is reasonably priced, but bargain hunters will want to sign up for the mailing list — you'll reap the benefits of frequent promotional discounts and sale notifications.

Buddahful
This locally owned company turns out screen-print tank tops and T's inspired by Asian deities. Yogis and yoginis like the Lycra and cotton-blend styles for practice, or long-sleeve T's and hoodies for keeping warm afterwards; $20-$35, at Buddhaful.com and also Reputation, Duque Salon + Spa + Boutique and Carmilia's.

Intent USA
For yoga bags made right here in Enumclaw, go to intentusa.com. The well-made Warrior Travel Duffles are roomy enough for everything including mat, clothing, water and props. Intent USA also has hard-to-find recycled organic cotton yoga rugs for $60.

WHERE TO PRACTICE

The Seattle area has dozens of yoga studios and classes in a range of yoga styles from prenatal to "hot" yoga.

8 Limbs Yoga Center
Anne Phyfe Palmer started with one large, airy yoga studio above a costume shop on Capitol Hill and now has two other locations, one in Wedgwood and the newest in West Seattle. The Capitol Hill studio attracts students as diverse as the neighborhood, from tattooed twentysomethings to stay-at-home moms and working-world professionals. Outstanding instructors, a variety of yoga styles, workshops and the well-stocked boutique make it a good place to stretch your mind and body.

Yoga on Beacon
This neighborhood yoga studio is intimate and friendly, with warm corkwood flooring, filtered sunlight and a sense of community and camaraderie. There are a variety of classes, and some are Iyengar influenced, using props to accommodate individuals. But perhaps the most compelling reason to go is Pinky, the studio's in-residence mascot. Owner Jonna Bracken's fluffy toy-like Pomeranian has perfected downward dog and joins in with little squeaks (his own version of "Om") at the end of practice.

Samadhi Yoga
Dancers and energetic students are attracted to Kathleen Hunt and Steve Davis' Capitol Hill studio. Hunt is a yoga teacher's teacher and conducts classes that are high-energy and athletic with a pervasive Eastern influence incorporating chanting. There are more than 20 teachers on staff who have gone through the intensive training there. The two studios upstairs and down are beautiful, painted in rich hues of indigo and ochre. The boutique has an excellent selection of books, CDs and yoga props, and a substantial variety of yoga wear by Prana, Satya, Carushka, Marika, Be Present, Blue Canoe and Heather Lea Garrick. Samahdi Yoga also carries Matt and Nat vegan handbags and Saka mat bags.

Seattle Holistic Center
Offering classes in both Aikido and yoga, Seattle Holistic Center is perhaps best known for its excellent program of pre- and post-natal yoga. With a background as a maternity health-care nurse, co-founder Colette Crawford has designed the programs to "help women reclaim their innate wisdom for giving birth." Among the classes offered are Prenatal Yoga with Partner, Postnatal Yoga with Infant, and Yoga for Parents with Crawlers and Toddlers, so the whole family can get involved. Classes are taught in two locations: the main studio in Green Lake and at the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford.

Shakti Vinyasa Yoga
Lisa Black's welcoming yoga studio in Ballard offers a toasty yoga workout. Though not technically "hot yoga," the room is kept at 88 degrees to relax muscles for power Vinyasa flow yoga, the style taught there. The small boutique carries yoga apparel by Be Present, Marika, Shiva Shakti and Om Girl, along with props, CDs and books.

Santosha Yoga
This yoga studio is located on the second floor of a quiet complex of buildings just off busy East Madison Street in Madison Valley. The sunlit space has skylights and large windows, plus a small boutique with yoga wear, props, music, books, CDs and incense.

The Yoga Tree
Located in Fremont, this yoga studio is known for its well-practiced staff and immersions, and intensive sessions for committed students who want to gain insight and focus with a daily practice.

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