One example is the question of “Bhakti yoga clothes”.

The other day my wife, Param Satya, was talking with someone down at the temple, and they were discussing the content of these classes, and that person mentioned a point that HDG makes: where do you find anywhere in Bhagavad-gita or Caitanya-caritamrita mention of “devotional clothing”?

Of course we understand the clothing of the Hare Krishna’s as a cultural thing, not an absolute, or at least I do.

Some people refer to western clothing as “Karmi clothes” and dhoti and kurta as “devotional cloth”. In South America western clothing are referred to as ropa civil (civilian clothing) or ropa de la calle (street clothes), which I think are better nominatives.

A devotee once referred to my underwear as karmi underwear, which is a bit ridiculous. Karmi refers to a philosophical or psychological motivation for selfish activity, not a style of underwear. This same devotee then went on to ask me about my “karmi” name. I told him that I don’t have a “karmi” name, because I’m not a karmi. He then asked me what are you then, a devotee? I replied that I am a sadhaka-bhakta, an aspiring or practising devotee. I don’t have a “karmi” name, I have a civil name.

Devotional refers to a state of consciousness, a philosophical and psychological orientation toward transcendental dedication. It’s not about a particular cultural meme, some particular external manifestation.

At the same time, we can’t make the mistake of thinking that Prabhupada was confused about the two, or throw out the baby with the bathwater. If you read Prabhupada explaining to members of the public why people wear the dhoti and kurta, and even his letters to his disciples he says things like: “I am not forcing them to wear it. They are choosing to wear it.” (in other words, it’s not obligatory), and “It is like a uniform. Whenever someone sees he will recognise: ‘Ah, Hare Krishna’”

The so-called devotional cloth of dhoti and kurta are not simply ceremonial robes, they are part of our corporate identity, our brand. They contribute to our marketable image and along with other elements of our preaching mission, create a strong brand identity in the mind of the public. Here’s a nice explanation from the book Leadership Lessons from the Navy Seals on this issue.

Have a look at this post from my South American diary and scroll down to the section “Clothes maketh the man”, for some more realizations about dhotis.

A key consideration you should make when buying yoga clothing is the type of yoga you will be doing. There are more relaxed or meditation-based forms of yoga, and there are more active types. Bikram yoga is a more intense or active form of yoga. In fact, it is often called “hot yoga” because participants are sure to sweat and be hot by the end of it. The following are some tips for folks who want to invest in Bikram yoga clothing.

The Fit of the Clothes

When it comes time to invest in Bikram yoga clothing, you want to choose items that fit you. Since Bikram yoga is so active, you will not want to keep readjusting your clothing while moving from position to position. Too tight clothing can cause chafing or can make it hard to successfully perform all of the necessary poses. Too loose clothing could slip during yoga or could get in the way. Thus, it is important that the Bikram yoga clothing you choose is neither too big nor too small.

Airy

Since Bikram yoga is so active, you will want to ensure that you are wearing clothing that allows your skin to breathe. Thus, you should look for clothing that fits you but is also airy. This way, you can ensure that you are both safe and comfortable during the activity. Bikram yoga clothing that allows air to pass through the garments is preferable. This doesn’t mean that you should buy clothing that is too large for you. Instead, you should look for specially designed Bikram yoga clothing that is in your size but is also designed to be loose and airy.

Fabric

Because Bikram yoga is so intense, you should look for clothing that lets your skin breathe. Thus, try to stay away from synthetic and heavy clothing items. Look for all natural fabrics when choosing your Bikram yoga clothing. This way, you can be sure that your body will not overheat from all of the activity. Bikram yoga clothing should be as safe as it is comfortable.

By Megan Butcher

It has been a long time since I’ve had a working dryer in my house. I have not been dryerless, oh no, not at all. For three and a half years now, I have lived in apartments with dryers that didn’t work for various reasons.

I started using drying racks when I was a poor student and two dollars to dry my socks seemed like a damn luxury. And drying racks are easier on your clothes, so they’ll last longer. And also, better for the environment. And also, during the winter those wet clothes work like a humidifier.

You get used to the schedule too. I never do laundry the day before I go away, because I know that nothing will be dry. You got to keep on top of the underwear levels in the drawer.

That said, I’ve fucked up the schedule now and again, say, forgetting to do laundry two days before a big date and the Special Pants Removal Panties are in the laundry basket.

This, my friends, is what ovens are for.

You turn your oven (or, if the item is small enough, the toaster oven) on to about 150 or 200 degrees. If the item is a light colour, you pull out a wire cooling rack and put it in between the clean item and the dirty oven rack. Or you clean your oven racks consistently. I leave that up to you.

You take the panties, hopefully not wet, but only damp, put them on the rack, wait a few minutes and presto! dry panties. Or socks. Or yoga clothes.

Only my first tip to you is that you not dry your yoga clothes in the oven. Especially if you’ve paid a ridiculous and exorbitant amount of money for yoga clothes made of technical wicking-type fabric. Because what might happen is that you might touch those clothes up against the upper element by mistake, and they might get a little melted. Which you won’t realize until you take them out 5 minutes before you’re supposed to leave for yoga class.

The other thing that might happen is that you might realize that yoga clothes fucking stink an unholy stink that is a combination of sweat and fake fibre. But you might not realize this until your entire apartment is so redolent you have to open a window, even though it is the cold cold fall.

Another tip? Don’t mention this lifehack to your co-workers from the suburbs who have never not had a dryer, because they will look at you like you’ve lost your everloving mind and turned into some kind of disgusting person who would put socks! in the oven! where you also put your food! And you will have to shrug your shoulders and say “The socks were clean.” And “Do *you* put bare food on your oven racks?”

yoga clothes

? How do they match with yoga principles? The truth is that yoga is on the forefront of practices meant to awaken mankind to a new age of spirituality, but in the western mind the body and soul have been seen as separate for such a long time that the way back to a different perspective is pretty sinuous. On normal terms, one shouldn’t care how one looks while practicing yoga, the clothes in themselves should mean nothing, but some trainees are not ready to make their spiritual revolution at the expense of good looks. And this is how cute yoga clothes appeared in the first place.

For some people, spirituality and fashion trends do not exclude each other, there is no contradiction apparently. Well, if we looked deeper into the matter we’d surely identify one. To push the exemplification of the yoga clothes concern a bit further, we should ask ourselves what happens to the concentration during the asanas once one realizes that the sweat has ruined part of the trendy look of the clothes.

Here are a few tips to identify the really good yoga clothes with the mention that the fashion issue remains a matter of personal choice and there are no clear cut rules to influence selection criteria. Softness and quality of fabric are the first two elements to make a difference in the yoga clothes choice. The body postures can be extremely soliciting and the clothes have to allow for ample movements while also absorbing the higher amount of perspiration. This is why cotton is favored over any other material for yoga clothes since it helps you remain drier and more comfortable for the entire period of the session even if the top is dripping wet at the end. Synthetic materials can have good absorbing qualities too, not to mention that the drying rate could be better than for cotton.

Some yoga clothes brands are manufactured from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, but this is not the only formula available. The truth is that you can come up with your individual yoga clothes purchased from casual wear stores; as long as you feel comfortable and the yoga practice is successful, then it is unimportant whether you wear a brand name or not. Most of the times the purchase of yoga clothes remains one other way to stay fashionable while preserving a certain self-image. It’s entirely up to you!

I feel that the more people of similar interests support each other’s sites, the more good quality information can get out their for the reading public. It doesn’t matter if you are practicing hot house yoga, Kundalini yoga, or even Pilates Yoga, we’re all in this tremendous practice together.

Yoga is an ancient exercise that helps you blend your mind and body. There are a number of different styles of yoga including:

• Kundalini Yoga
• Ashtanga Yoga
• Hatha Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Bikram Yoga
• Raja Yoga…

and so on. Herein I will be writing about all these different types of yoga and why (or why not) they may be of tremendous benefit to you. I should mention that while some types of yoga can be learned and practiced on your own, it is always recommended that you find a competent teacher or guru.

Regardless which style of yoga you decide is best for you, it is of vital importance that you practice in comfortable yoga apparel. Many people choose traditional Indian yoga clothes, although some just choose an old pair sweat pants and a t-shirt. Both styles are perfectly fine, of course, as long as you are comfortable when you practice.

Stay tuned to these pages for more information about yoga and yoga clothing.