Two villages in Portugal make your clothes

Near Porto, in Portugal, two small family businesses work side by side for us. The first, in one village, knits our organic cotton from scratch and dyes it to our specifications. The second, in the next village, cuts and sews. We have been visiting both every year since 2009. We know the people by name. We share meals when we visit. They have watched our collections grow alongside their own children.During the Covid years, when organic cotton and bamboo became briefly impossible to source in Portugal, we found a second family workshop in Turkey — also ethical, also certified, also personal. About 5% of what we make passes through their hands today. The Mizar Kimono and a few Lilac pieces from past collections come from there.Most yoga brands buy fabric from a market — pre-made rolls, ready to cut. We don't. Every meter of jersey we use is knitted from scratch to our specifications. That is why the Sohang feels the way it does. That is why a five-year-old pair softens instead of wearing thin.A slower way of making clothes. Sometimes inconvenient. Always worth it.

The slow choices behind our sustainability

Sustainability for us is not a marketing department. It is a series of small, sometimes annoying choices we have made since 2009.We chose certified organic cotton when it was 40% more expensive than conventional or plastic fabrics. We still pay that premium today. We grow without external capital which means we cannot afford to overstock, so we don't. We use every meter of yarn we order, even when it means smaller runs and longer waits. We are 100% self funded and all the money is placed in ethical funds in a local bank.We focus on evergreen pieces, the Sohang, the Amrit, the Amba instead of seasonal collections. Some of these designs are over a decade old and still our bestsellers. A garment worn for ten years on a body is the most sustainable thing a fashion brand can make.Our fabrics are dyed with processes gentle enough for a baby's skin. We package in either recycled or biodegradable bags. We ship from our small warehouse in Cully (Switzerland) or our partner in Germany, never overseas.We don't tick every box. We are not perfect. But these are the choices we make, and we make them visible.

What materials we use

We work with three fabrics. Three. Not thirty.Brushed Organic Cotton Jersey (220g, made in Portugal) soft, slightly thick, with a peach-skin touch. Our flagship. The Sohang, Yamala and Mahan are knitted from this.Mercerized Organic Cotton Jersey (180g, made in Portugal) lighter, smoother, with a subtle natural sheen. Our new Essence Collection uses this for models like Ankaa, Nashira, Maia.Bamboo Viscose blended with Organic Cotton (made in Turkey) cool, breathable, fluid. Used for the Lilii pants and the Mizar Kimono. Bamboo regrows in three to five years, without replanting and without irrigation.Most pieces include around 8% certified elastane, enough to hold shape over years of wear, without losing breath.We use every meter of yarn we knit. What we don't sew, we save for repairs and samples. Nothing goes to waste.

Three generations of women

Three generations of women.My grandmother Johanna sewed evening dresses by hand. Long, careful, beautiful work, a kind of patience that has all but disappeared.My mother, Cornelia, learned from her. In 2004, she founded Breath of Fire. The very first piece she designed, the Sohang, was created on the floor of her living room in Switzerland, with a yoga teacher friend named Christina. It is still our flagship today.Today, I ( Pernelle) run the brand. I do not redesign what works. I extend it. The Essence Collection, launched in 2025, sits beside the Evergreen line. New silhouettes, same intention.We do not design for trends. We design for the body in practice, for the moment when the breath deepens, when the posture lengthens, when you forget what you are wearing.That is the test of a piece. Forgetting it on. Returning to it.

What to Wear for Yoga & Which Accessories, Style by Style | Breath of Fire

A mat that travels with you for years. Pants that remind you of your discipline long after the class. Choosing what you practise in is already part of the practice. Here is what to wear and what to bring, style by style.

Yoga, the art of living

Yoga is an art of living close to nature. Modesty and helping others matter as much as respect for the earth. In practice itself, the aim is to let prana, our life energy, circulate.

To stay consistent with this, it seems obvious to me to choose equipment made of natural or at least recycled fibres, by people who work with care and in an eco-responsible spirit. Many brands of yoga mats and clothes are made with conscience today, so it is not difficult to buy ethically. Be ready to spend a little more for something that lasts.

Each style of yoga asks for something different. Here is a non-exhaustive guide.

Quick guide

Hot yoga: grippy mat, towel, light clothes that dry fast.
Ashtanga and Vinyasa: firm, grippy mat; close-fit leggings and top.
Hatha: 4 to 6 mm mat, blocks, strap; comfortable, fairly close-fit clothes.
Kundalini: mat with a sheepskin or wool blanket, meditation cushion; loose white or light clothes.
Yin, meditation and Yoga Nidra: soft mat, cushion, bolster, warm blanket; enveloping, warm clothes.

Hot yoga

Hot yoga is practised in a very warm, humid room. It raises the heart rate, works the muscles and makes you sweat a lot.

Equipment: a firm mat with a very good grip, and a towel.

Clothing: choose pieces that dry quickly and let the skin breathe. Shorts and a tank top or bra are often the best choice. We recommend the Sohang yoga short and the Aurora bra. To cover a little more, the Cosma T-shirt in light bamboo. If you prefer pants, the soft bamboo Lilii pants. For men, the Sadhak short.

Breath of Fire Sohang yoga short in purple organic cotton, movement shot — The Sohang short, for hot classes and summer practice.

Ashtanga and Vinyasa (power yoga)

Ashtanga is an active, postural yoga. Its name comes from the Sanskrit ashta, eight, and anga, limb: the eight limbs of yoga. Vinyasa, or power yoga, links postures together with the breath in a continuous flow.

Equipment: a firm mat with a good grip. For beginners, two blocks, a strap, a cushion and a light blanket are very helpful.

Clothing: choose close-fitting pieces, so the teacher can see and correct your alignment and nothing gets in the way in inversions. Make sure your leggings are not tight around the belly: these practices need a free, fluid breath.

We recommend the Amrit legging with the Amrit long top, or the Sohang top with the Sohang legging. If you sweat a lot, the Aurora bra and the Vega leggings: their bamboo blend dries faster than cotton.

Breath of Fire Vega yoga leggings in lilac worn with the Aurora bra — Vega leggings and Aurora bra, for dynamic practice.

Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga works with breath, body and mind. A class usually lasts 45 to 90 minutes, alternating postures, breathing and relaxation.

Equipment: a 4 to 6 mm mat with medium to good grip, a meditation cushion and a light blanket for relaxation. Depending on your flexibility, two blocks and a strap.

Clothing: comfortable pieces, more or less close to the body. The Sohang legging is unbeatable for comfort; the straight-leg Yamala pants pair beautifully with the Sohang top. For a lighter fabric, the Lilii pants with the Cosma T-shirt. The Vega and Amrit leggings also work well.

Yamala straight-leg yoga pants in Atlantic blue organic cotton, movement shot — Yamala pants in Atlantic blue: straight leg, integrated skirt.

Kundalini yoga

Kundalini yoga is sometimes called the "yoga of awareness". It combines mantras, breathing exercises such as Breath of Fire, and repeated movements (kriyas), to awaken the energy of the chakras. It is challenging and comforting in equal parts.

Equipment: a mat covered with a sheepskin or a wool blanket, a meditation cushion, a light blanket for relaxation.

Clothing: comfortable pieces, preferably in cotton, in white or light colours. The Sohang pants were designed for Kundalini yoga, like the Yamala pants: thanks to the skirt, they avoid the transparency of white. With the Sohang top and the Amba wrap shirt, all in white, the outfit is perfect on the mat and beyond. You can also choose the Amrit or Sohang legging with the long Amrit top, to feel free in the kriyas without any transparency.

Woman wearing white Breath of Fire organic cotton yoga clothes for Kundalini practice — White organic cotton for Kundalini yoga. See our white yoga clothes

Meditation and chanting

Equipment: a soft 5 to 6 mm mat, a meditation cushion, a light blanket.

Clothing: a comfortable outfit, in a colour that suits your practice: bordeaux or saffron, white, black. We suggest the Sohang or Yamala pants with the Sohang top and the Siri pullover, or the Lilii pants with the Cosma T-shirt.

Amba wrap shirt in bordeaux worn with Sohang pants, Breath of Fire organic cotton — Amba wrap shirt in bordeaux with the Sohang pants.

Yin yoga

Yin yoga works on the deep connective tissues, with postures held for several minutes. It is demanding in its stillness, and well suited to beginners.

Equipment: a soft 5 to 6 mm mat, a meditation cushion, a blanket and a bolster.

Clothing: comfortable and rather covering. The Sohang pants and legging, or the Yamala pants with the Sohang top and the Siri pullover. Or the Lilii pants with the Cosma T-shirt.

Yoga Nidra and long relaxation

Yoga Nidra, the yogic sleep, is a guided relaxation that takes the body into deep rest while the mind stays aware.

Equipment: a soft, even padded, 5 to 6 mm mat, a warm blanket, an eye pillow.

Clothing: comfortable and warm. The same selection as for Yin yoga: the body cools down quickly when it is still.

Breath of Fire Lilii loose-fit pants in mint bamboo and organic cotton — Lilii pants in mint: fluid and soft, for slow practice.

Yogic hygiene: a small list

Tongue scraper
Neti pot, for rinsing the nose
Sweet almond oil or massage oil
Sesame oil for oil pulling
Massage glove
Rose water
Eye cup for rinsing the eyes
Good quality salt
Wooden comb
A few essential oils of your choice
Shampoo, soap and cosmetics made from natural ingredients

Frequently asked questions

Is a yoga mat necessary?

Not strictly. But a mat brings support, safety, hygiene and comfort, which is why most people use one.

What thickness of yoga mat is best?

The standard thickness is 3 to 6 mm. For daily practice, we recommend 4 to 5 mm, for enough joint protection. If your knees or joints are sensitive, choose 5 to 6 mm. Mats of 1 to 3 mm are great for travel, but a little thin for every day. Look at the material too: natural rubber, cotton rugs, cork, or PVC with a recognised health certification. Avoid materials whose origin and composition you cannot check.

What is the best clothing for yoga?

You will sweat, whatever the style. Choose fibres that combine comfort, breathability and flexibility: organic cotton or a bamboo blend, with a little elastane. See our guide on how to choose your yoga pants.

What are yoga blocks for?

In yoga, we do not force the body into a posture. Blocks bring the floor closer when you cannot reach it, or give support when balance is difficult. You can also sit on them for a short meditation or pranayama.

What basic equipment do I need to start yoga?

Originally, yoga was practised very simply, in a cotton cloth, on the floor; a cotton rug was a luxury. The basics remain the same: a good mat, a comfortable, breathable outfit, two blocks and a strap if you are not very flexible.

What are the best materials for yoga clothes?

We use only natural fibres, because the skin breathes and sweats a lot during practice. We recommend organic cotton, bamboo, linen and hemp, with a small percentage of elastane so the fabric moves with you.

Little equipment. Good materials. The rest happens inside.

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Yoga Clothing and Accessories: What to Wear and Bring for Each Style of Yoga