A yoga pant is chosen from the inside. First the breath, then the practice, then the body that will wear it. This guide brings together everything we have learned since 2009, designing yoga clothes in a family workshop in Portugal.
The short answer
- Slow practice (Yin, Hatha, Restorative, Kundalini, meditation): a loose, enveloping pant. Sohang, Lilii.
- Dynamic practice (Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Power yoga): a close-fit legging that stays in place. Sohang legging, Vega, Amrit.
- A bit of both, and daily life: a straight leg. Yamala, Ankaa.
- Summer and warm studios: 3/4 or short. Inderjit 3/4, Alya capri, Sohang short.
- For men: Mahan pants, Sadhak short.
1. Start with the breath: the waistband
Pranayama, meditation, seated postures. They all live in the belly. A tight elastic cuts the breath before it even begins.
So the first thing to check is the waistband. It should rest on the belly, never compress it. All our pants and leggings have a wide, soft waistband without a narrow elastic. On the Sohang legging, the Lilii and the Alya, it can be folded up over the belly and lower back for warmth in seated practice, or folded down on the hips.
The second detail is the ankle. In inversions and in down dog, a pant should stay where you put it. Leggings do this naturally. For wider cuts, look for gaiters: a soft band that wraps around the foot. They hold the pant in place, let you practise barefoot, and keep the feet covered in savasana. Our Sohang pants, Sohang legging and Mahan pants have them.
2. Choose according to your practice
Slow, inward practices
Yin, Hatha, Restorative, Kundalini, Yoga Nidra, sound baths, meditation. Here the body stays long in each posture. It needs room, warmth and no pressure anywhere.
Choose a loose, enveloping cut. The Sohang pants, our flagship since 2009, combine a pant and a wrap skirt around the hips, with gaiters at the ankles. The Lilii pants, in bamboo and organic cotton, are lighter and more fluid.
Dynamic practices
Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Power yoga, Acro yoga. The breath follows the movement, the transitions are fast, and a teacher may need to see your alignment. Choose a close-fit legging that follows the leg without snagging.
The Sohang legging is opaque, with gaiters and a fold-over waistband. The Vega leggings, in bamboo, organic cotton and elastane, offer a light compression that holds the silhouette. The Amrit legging, extra long and jodhpur-inspired, covers the ankles even when seated.
A mixed practice, and the rest of the day
Some days start on the mat and continue at work, on the train, at the market. A straight-leg pant moves easily between the two.
The Yamala has a straight leg, an integrated skirt and an adjustable hem. The Ankaa, from the Essence collection, is cut in our lighter mercerized organic cotton: smooth, with a subtle natural sheen.
Summer, hot studios, outdoor practice
When the air is warm, free the calves. The Inderjit 3/4 is the cropped version of the Sohang, with the same skirt. The Alya capri legging has a wide double-layered waistband. The Sohang short is for the hottest days.
3. Choose according to your body shape
There is no ideal body for yoga. There is only the body that practises today. Knowing your silhouette simply helps you find the cut that follows it.
Stand in front of a mirror, feet flat on the floor, in close-fitting clothes. Look at your shoulders, your waist and your hips. Observe without judging. Your height and your size also count: two women with the same shape will not wear the same pant in the same way.
A shape (pear): hips wider than shoulders
Pants with a small skirt balance the line beautifully: Sohang, Yamala, Inderjit 3/4. Add a lighter top worn over the pant, or the Amba wrap shirt in another colour, to bring the eye up to the shoulders.
A tip from the fitting room: if you are under 165 cm and wear a size M, the Sohang may feel like a lot of fabric. Choose a slimmer, shorter cut like the Yamala or the Inderjit.
V shape (inverted triangle): shoulders wider than hips
Bring volume and colour to the lower body. A Sohang (rather a size smaller than a size larger), a Yamala, the fluid Lilii, or a legging in a bright colour.
H shape (straight): shoulders, waist and hips aligned
Your silhouette is already balanced. Mark the waist lightly. The Ankaa lengthens the line; the Sohang adds softness around the hips. Avoid cutting the silhouette in two with a very contrasting waist.
8 shape (hourglass): shoulders and hips even, defined waist
Your waist is your asset. Close-fit cuts follow it naturally: Vega leggings with an Aurora bra, or the full Amrit outfit. High-waist pants like the Sohang also suit you well. You have a lot of freedom.
O shape (round): softer waist, generous bust
Look for length and fluidity. Straight or close-fit cuts: Yamala, Vega, or the relaxed Lilii. A flowing top that is not too loose, like the Cosma. Avoid pieces that are too wide everywhere: they break the line.
4. Rise and length
- High waist: covers the belly, warm in seated meditation, secure in inversions. Most of our pants can be worn high, or folded down.
- Full length: traditional for floor practice and cooler seasons. Sohang, Yamala, Ankaa, Amrit, Vega, Lilii, Mahan.
- 3/4 and capri: lighter for summer, travel, outdoor practice. Inderjit, Alya.
- Short: hot yoga, warm climates. Sohang short, Sadhak short for men.
5. The fabric: what touches your skin
In yoga, the pores open. The skin breathes and sweats. What it meets should come from the earth, not from oil. This is the first principle of yoga, ahimsa, non-harming (Yoga Sūtra II.35), applied to what we wear.
We work with three natural fabrics:
- Brushed organic cotton jersey (92% organic cotton, 8% elastane, 220 g/m²). Thick, soft, opaque, warm. The fabric of our Evergreen collection: Sohang, Amrit. Made in Portugal.
- Mercerized organic cotton jersey (92% mercerized organic cotton, 8% elastane, 180 g/m²). Lighter, smooth, with a natural sheen. Our Essence collection: Ankaa, Alya. Made in Portugal.
- Bamboo viscose and organic cotton blends. Fluid, cool, very soft. Our Evolve collection: Vega, Lilii. Composition varies by piece, see each product page.
All our colours are dyed to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Class I, the level required for baby clothing.
6. Finding your size
- Sohang pants: they run a little large. If you are between two sizes, take the smaller one.
- Lilii pants: if in doubt, take the size above.
- Leggings in 220 g/m² jersey: opaque, take your usual size.
Each product page has its own size chart. And if you hesitate between two cuts or two sizes, write to us. We answer every message ourselves, in French, German or English.
7. For men
The Mahan pants are the everyday foundation of our men's line: organic cotton, a cut that follows the body, gaiters at the feet. Some women over 170 cm also love them. For summer, the Sadhak short.
Frequently asked questions
Should yoga pants be tight or loose?
It depends on your practice. Loose for slow, seated, long-held practices. Close-fit for dynamic flows and inversions, so the fabric follows you and a teacher can see your alignment.
Are leggings or pants better for yoga?
Both work. Leggings stay in place in inversions and fast transitions. Wider pants give more freedom and warmth in slow practice. Many practitioners keep one of each.
Why choose organic cotton yoga pants?
Cotton breathes, absorbs sweat and stays soft against the skin for years. Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides. During practice, your skin is in direct contact with the fabric for a long time: it is worth choosing what touches it.
Are your yoga pants see-through?
No. Our 220 g/m² brushed organic cotton jersey is opaque, even in deep forward folds.
Try them on
Nothing replaces the moment you step out of the fitting room and feel at home in a piece. You can try our collection at our showroom in Cully, on Tuesdays from 10 am to 4 pm, or at one of our partner shops such as La Boutique du Yoga in Lausanne.
Otherwise, start with the pant your practice asks for. Then let your body choose the rest.
The right yoga pant is the one you forget you are wearing.
Women's yoga pants · Yoga leggings · Shorts and 3/4 · Men's yoga pants
