Question 1: Sort of along the same lines as the question about bras last week, do you have any tips on avoiding the thong rising up while doing yoga with some yoga pants? I can feel my underwear rising up, which is fine when I do yoga at home but I'm considering taking classes at a studio and I don't want to be in this embarrassing moment when your thong is showing. I know it's a bit stupid but if you have any tips, it'd be great.
Answer 1: This is not at all stupid! When I was in college, a friend of mine told me that she only wore thongs with the wide bands because they stayed in place better. I followed her advice and found that to be true. I also love that because they've got a wider band, they never dig into my skin and produce a visible line when wearing pants. I've posted some above at all price points.
Also, I was curious, though, so I conducted a survey on twitter, and this is what 100 women told me they wore (well, 97. Three skipped the second question). The majority wear regular underwear, and 25 prefer a thong, and 19 wear nothing - see the answers below. Hope that helps!
Age
What do you wear under yoga pants?
Question 2: Hello! I've only been a follower of your blog for less than a week now, but I've already learned so much. I've never ran across a yoga blog like yours before and Im glad I did! I've checked your FAQ section and other link, so I don't think this question has been asked before, so here it goes:
During your time of the month, do you wear pads? And if so, how do you conceal it so that it doesn't show through your leggings in yoga? Everyone I have ever asked recommends me to switch over to tampons but those things frighten me. I usually wear shorts over my leggings, or make sure I secure a spot at the very back on the yoga studio so no one sees anything. Do you have any suggestions?
Sorry if this question is a little TMI!
Answer 2: Hi! No question is too TMI! I don't wear pads, but if you feel best wearing them, and are concerned about show through, you could try one of the options above. When I want to be really comfortable, I like wearing harem pants (seen in this post on chair yoga). I know they're a little MC Hammer, but I like that they're baggy through the hip and upper thigh, yet tight at the ankles so you can still move around. There is also the 2-in-1 option in the first row above with leggings/skirt combo and spandex/shorts combo that might work for you, too.
Question 3: Hey! I know this isn't really juicy or anything, but what's the proper etiquette for entering class late or leaving a few minutes early? I sometimes arrive a couple minutes late because of work and I'm always so embarrassed - people are staring at me, and I feel like the teacher is annoyed. Should I not even bother going? What can I do to minimize distractions?
Answer 3: Usually late arrivals are at the discretion of the teacher or studio. If they allow it, then hey, by all means you should go! Just try to enter quietly, and with as little stuff as possible (i.e. just your mat, maybe a bottle of water). I suggest peeking in first and entering while the students are being talked through a vinyasa, rather than entering when they've just started class and are sitting quietly in a centering meditation. As for leaving early, if you have the opportunity to tell the instructor ahead of time, do that just so they're aware of it, and then grab a space closest to the door so you don't have to roll up your mat and walk across the entire studio, stepping over people in savasana as you leave.
Question 4: This is embarrassing, but I sometimes can't get the smell of sweat out of my clothes, do you have any tips for washing yoga clothing?
Answer 4: Yes! The biggest tip I can give is to get those clothes in the wash asap, rather than letting them sit in your laundry basket (or, if you're like me, your floor). If you sweat a lot or you find that your clothing still smells a bit, you can add about a cup of white vinegar when you wash. Then, make sure you dry them as soon as the wash cycle has finished. Let me know if that works!
Question 5: Hi Candace, I'm so glad you're doing this! So the other day I asked my yoga instructor what she thought of my practice and she said, "I can't say because it was hard to concentrate with your see-through pants!" I was totally mortified! I am not only embarrassed that I was wearing sheer pants, but am now feeling embarrassed to go back to class! Help!
Answer 5: Comments about what people wearing to yoga class really fire me up. Especially when made by teachers to students, because as instructors, we're supposed to be focused on making sure no one gets hurt, making sure our sequencing is on point, making sure we're staying on schedule, etc. There shouldn't be time for getting distracted by someone's sheer pants. And further, if someone is wearing sheer pants and didn't know it, who cares? Why call them out on it? To me it's sort of like body shaming.
If the comment made you feel uncomfortable I'd suggest talking with the director of the studio because the whole idea of yoga is to just be kind, and the delivery of that comment doesn't sound like it was coming from a kind place. Then again, I'm not hearing the tone she said it in, so what do I know?
Sheer pants are quite common, I see them all the time in class, and it's really nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, it's annoying if you bought pants thinking they were opaque and then found out they just, well, weren't. But it's one of those things you just have to either learn from and do the downward dog test before you leave the house (ask your roommate/partner if they see anything), or decide that you just don't care and throw on your sheer pants and call it a day.
If you're interested, I highly recommend Athleta if you're looking for a great opaque legging. I have several pairs and they're pretty much the only brand I wear when I teach. A number of the ones above are on sale, including those pretty yellow ones (less than $30!!)
Question 6: Hi Candace! Ok this is really embarrassing, but what do you do about crotch sweat?
Answer 6: Haha, I totally feel for you - this probably happens to me all the time but I only just noticed it for the first time this summer in LA! It was like I had two stripes at my hip crease! You have two options: a) wear black pants, or b) decide that sweat means you're working hard and own it with your head held high. #noshameinthesweatgame
Let's talk Do you have any alternative answers for these questions?
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