Our lives are fast-paced. We work, we study, we go to the gym, we do our grocery shopping, and if we’re lucky, we spend some time with friends and family. With so much crammed into every day, the idea of slowing down and getting into a more grounded mindset is more and more appealing, so many people are adopting mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga into their daily lives.

Yoga is highly beneficial not only in terms of building physical strength and flexibility but also in helping us feel more in touch with ourselves and our surroundings. In fact, for a gentle way to improve sleep, Lisa Smalls from EvolveFitWear.com suggests practicing yoga, which increases mindfulness and the ability to release anxieties. Adapting yoga into your life can also help you revamp your style as it changes the criteria for what to wear—and what not to.

What Not to Wear

What you wear while doing yoga matters, but not as much as what you don’t. Yoga is a mindful and athletic practice, but since most poses and classes rely on fluid, flexible movements, it is important to make sure that your motion isn’t inhibited in any way.

In terms of pants, the less you feel their presence, the better. Thick fabrics such as denim often end up being too stiff, so they limit your range of motion by trapping your legs. They also don’t breathe very well, so they will often make you overheat much faster—especially in a hot yoga class, making it more difficult to continue practicing.

Even if the fabric of your pants is thin, inelasticity is still a huge problem. For thinner fabrics, your range of motion may not be physically limited by the fabric, but your pants likely will not be able to withstand your flexibility and will end up ripped.

Very tight pants also make yoga difficult. While in most cases, leggings are okay, tight pants generally will not breathe very well, will tear, and may cut off your circulation as you shift to more complicated poses. If you do opt for leggings, make sure that they leave a little wiggle room.

When it comes to shirts, loose may not always be the way to go. Since yoga involves a lot of poses that involve bending over, it may be uncomfortable to wear a loose shirt that might reveal your stomach or bra—or go fully over your head—when you move.

Shirts should also be made of light and breathable fabric to avoid overheating and make sure that they adhere to and follow your body as it moves instead of restricting it. Although overly loose shirts may be uncomfortable, tight shirts that are stiff will make it more difficult to practice.

Since yoga is a low impact form of exercise, it may be tempting to keep a regular bra on instead of changing bras before class—or to skip the bra altogether. However, yoga requires you to feel fluid and flexible, making underwire an inhibitor. It also requires you to move and shift positions frequently, so you’ll need more support than going braless would provide.

What to Wear

So what can we wear to yoga? Regular leggings probably aren’t your best bet, but yoga leggings or pants work well. They are form-fitting enough to avoid getting in your way, and they are typically made of appropriately elastic and breathable fabric. Yoga pants, however, are a better option. For an alternative reliable option, boho harem pants are ideal. They hang off the legs very loosely, often with an elastic cuff at the ankle to prevent them from moving too much. Since they are loose and comfortable, they are unlikely to inhibit motion, and they generally keep you very cool since no fabric adheres to your skin. They are also usually made from light fabrics such as cotton with elastic waistbands, so they won’t rip as you move.

For tops, yoga shirts are an excellent option. They were designed specifically for this purpose, so they are tight enough to keep you covered as you practice without restricting your range of motion. They are also made from light, breathable fabrics that fit snugly at the waist and hips. Especially for lower-intensity classes or if you wear a smaller cup size, finding a yoga tank top or shirt with a built-in bra can be a good compromise instead of wearing both a shirt and a bra. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable doing so and are at your house or a studio that allows it, you can skip the shirt altogether and choose to wear just a sports bra.

Regardless of your decision to wear a shirt or not, a sports bra is the best option for support. Sports bras are breathable and don’t have underwire, so they won’t inhibit your movements, but they still provide the required support. That being said, many yoga classes don’t require too much support, so this is a good time to pull out your cuter, strappy sports bras instead of the heavy-duty ones. For higher-intensity classes, opt for a higher level of support. In addition, make sure that you wear breathable underwear while you sweat. Try to avoid cotton and opt for a pair that wicks moisture and doesn’t chafe.

Whatever you choose to wear to yoga, the fabric is the most important part. Polyester-nylon-spandex blends are usually preferable to other fabrics because they are light, breathable, and elastic, creating the ideal combination for yoga practice. Except for very loose pieces of clothing such as boho harem pants, avoid fabrics such as cotton, and avoid thicker fabrics such as denim in all cases.

Yoga provides lots of health benefits, both physically and psychologically, but to obtain these benefits, you should maximize your practice. The right apparel can help you get the maximum results from each yoga session by keeping you comfortable so you can direct your focus to your class. As long as you focus on finding elastic, breathable, thin fabrics and proper support, your clothes should never be an obstacle on your journey to stay fit while finding your center.