Hot yoga studios have been popping up all over the place, a testament to the practice's growing popularity.

But, what makes hot yoga different than a regular yoga class? The temperature and humidity of the room are key; hot yoga classes are held in studios heated to 40.5 C with 50-per-cent humidity. The increased heat warms the muscles to achieve a deeper yoga practice and cleanses the body by causing it to sweat away toxins.

The situation presents a unique fashion challenge: how do you find something that (a) is stylish, (b) keeps you cool, and (c) keeps you relatively covered at the same time?

Here are some dos and don'ts for getting geared up for hot yoga:

Don't pull out an old cotton T-shirt. Cotton is notoriously bad for sucking in moisture and will be drenched with sweat and become cumbersome within minutes.

Do opt for dri-fit or performance fabrics. They will not only help wick away sweat and keep you cool, but the nanotechnology behind them also kills bacteria and prevents odours that can develop over time.

Don't wear just any old gym shorts; they aren't designed to move with you through all the various yoga poses and bends. Given the tight quarters in most yoga studios, you don't want to give the person behind you more of a show than they bargained for.

Do find a length of bottom that works for you. Not everyone can pull off tiny spandex shorts, even if they might keep you cooler. Just make sure that whatever bottom you choose has some stretch.

Don't opt for white or other light colours; they show sweat and can become transparent when wet. Instead opt for dark colours; they hide sweat marks and make you look slimmer.

Do go for fitted garments. They will move with you as you flow through the various poses and won't drag you down when they become wet. Yoga teachers also like their students to wear fitted garments, as it helps them analyze body position during class.

See the article here:
Tips for staying stylish and cool for hot yoga