Yoga Pants That’ll Get a Rise Out of You

Last fall, I went to Yoga Journal Live in Hollywood, Fla., and came away positively inspired. The classes were powerful. I mean, if you think you feel connected in a class of 10 or 20 people at your local studio, imagine what it felt like to follow along with Rodney Yee (!!) next to probably 200+ other men and women. Magic is the closest I can come to describing it.

But, believe it or not, the expo was almost as powerful for me. Not only were there tons of really interesting products and services on display, but the people in the booths were extremely knowledgeable and passionate. One of the booths I stopped at was Teeki — I’d seen loads of women wearing the brand, notable for soft fabric and funky patterns, so I was pretty geeked to learn more.

It turns out those fab patterns are only part of the reason people dig them. An even bigger draw is the fact that sustainability is first and foremost for Teeki, and all Teeki clothing is made from fabric spun from fibers made of recycled plastic water bottles and printed and hand sewn using environmentally friendly techniques.

I’ve been wearing the Phoenix Rising Hot Pant ($72), and I’ve realized that not only is the fabric super soft, but it’s also really light and stretchy. The waistband (which has a high or low option) is elastic-free but stays in place pretty well (although since I have a little bit, uhh, let’s say “extra” around my middle, I did find that in certain poses it rolled down just a bit). The colors are vibrant and, when I put the pants on, the pattern doesn’t stretch out in a way that makes it unrecognizable. Those of you with thicker thighs and runner’s calves know what I’m talking about, and it’s a big deal!

Oh, and? These can be worn in water! It is recommended that you rinse them with clean water and use an eco-friendly soap to wash them when you take them off, but this is awesome news for me and my beach-going lifestyle. I’m thinking I might sport these to my next full moon yoga class on the beach … and wade into the ocean for a little extra zen afterward.

What do you look for in a yoga pant? —Kristen