Light is bad, basically all black or blue

Because really, I have no idea.

Yoga shorts, they're just yoga shorts....aren't they?

Recently I posted a review for the feetup headstand stool for Yogamatters. I think it was a fair,  honest review but the stool wasn't really for me and I said so here. All credit to Yogamatters then for accepting that in good faith and then turning around and asking me if there was anything else I was particularly interested in reviewing.

Thing is, Ashtangi's, what do we need?

I'm a Manduka man as far as mats are concerned and have three already as well as a handful of manduka eko towels. We don't tend to use props although I would like a decent size bolster for dropping back but nobody seems to supply them to the right 'drop back' specifications here in the UK. I probably already have all the Ashtanga DVDs I'll ever need, although David Garrigues' Intermediate is tempting now I'm back doing 2nd. Fine with books too, actually I reviewed Melanie Cooper's book recently, think that came from Yogamatters.

There was one thing...... and I'm a little embarrassed posting on this but Shorts, practice shorts, I could really do with some new practice shorts.

Thing is I've been needing some new pairs for a year at least, perhaps longer but just have no idea. If you're a woman and need some new Yoga gear there seems to be review posts all over the place but for guys there really doesn't seem to be anything out there.

I keep thinking that perhaps I should get a pair of practice shorts from somebody who specialises in yoga wear but they tend to be expensive, seems a big outlay for something I might hate and not feel comfortable practicing in.

Also I'm a home Ashtangi and even if I did go to a shala I can't see myself going up the guy on the next mat and saying...

"Hi, I couldn't help noticing that your yoga shorts seem really comfortable, would you mind sharing the name of your tailor".

Yes, Yogamatters, there is something, I'd like to do a review of, men's yoga shorts.

My personal practice short(s) history.

I seem to remember I started off practicing in my pants, kind of basic trunks, not ideal for a hot, sweaty practice like Ashtanga.

I thought some stretchy lycra type thing might be a good idea, didn't have a clue, ordered some from ebay, less than ideal, seams kept splitting.....aren't you glad now that I didn't visit shala's in the early days.

2007

Things took a turn for the better when I discovered Nike Pro's, these things are great and I've worn them for the last six years. It's taken that long for the elastic to finally start to go on the waistband but the seams have never split on me. they have that wicking fabric that draws the sweat away from the body, essential for a practice like Ashtanga, also they are easy to rinse and quick to dry. I would tend to wash them in the shower and they would be dry in time for an evening practice if necessary. I've had three pairs rotating, that's a lot of wear.


Bit too tight though... wouldn't feel comfortable personally jumping around a shala in them.

Nike pro running shorts, again excellent, little more discrete, all the wicking properties of the trunks as they have full lining not mesh , they are short though and while I know they're fully lined that might not be clear to whoever is practicing opposite, so again little uncomfortable about wearing them to a shala or workshop (don't want somebody opposite feeling the need to shift their drishi to to the other side of the room because they don't know if my shorts are or aren't fully lined).

Nike pro running shorts - fully lined

Always felt like too much material on the longer versions, when they would get all hot and sweaty they would kind of cling, stick to the legs.

never really got on with the longer version, too much material.

I used to change my shorts for the videos I've posted on my blog, or if wearing the Nike trunks just throw my old faithful Adidas 3/4 length....what, tracksuit type things. Go back to the beginning of the blog and you'll see them, I still use them occasionally, especially when revisiting jump back videos. Nike, Adidas, you might pay extra for the name but they do seem to last forever.

old favourites, mesh lined Adidas 3/4 spent years trying to find another pair exactly the same

From my very first post back in 2008

Later I worried less about my state of undress in videos, we all practice right who cares what we are or aren't wearing, tend to turn the half naked videos into black and white though to cut down on the flesh tones, one feels less naked in black and white. And you thought I was going for a moody film noir Ashtanga effect.

Nike-pro lined running shorts

For teaching recently I took to wearing some cut off sweatpants.

Sweatpants with part of the legs cut off

I guess I ended up with some criteria

For practice I wanted some thing short and tight with a wicking material that were well made, last for ever and were quick to wash and dry

For a workshop or shala visit, shorts that weren't TOO short, fully lined, not mesh and again wicking to pull the sweat away from the body.

It's possible of course to wear regular shorts over the tight Nike pro's or under armour but we want to be wearing less not more in Ashtanga.

For teaching, something longer, 3/4 length or so, but still comfortable to practice in.

So what did Yogamatters send me? PRANA

Here's the link to yoga matters range of Mens shorts
http://www.yogamatters.com/product/1398/mens-yoga-pants.htm

mojo short

prana momentum short

prana JD short

prana mojo shorts from yoga matters, they get my vote, hell, I'd even buy them in olive.

Of course, now I'm saving the prana for 'best' for workshops etc, so I'm still in the same situation and in need of good everyday practice shorts.

Can't bring myself to try the Iyengar style malaika shorts but tempted, oh so tempted, in a dark room perhaps. That's when you know you've overcome your ego, when you can walk into the shala in your malaika's.

perfect for the anatomy section of your YA tt

onzie classic men's short, titanium