The new year’s wellness wave came in full force with the revival of 2000s yoga. From thrifting vintage workout clothes to mastering the headstand, Gen-Z is “finding its center” in the Zen mindset.
Moving from the “Pilates Princess” craze of last year, or the CrossFit and SoulCycle eras of the 2010s, yoga establishes a unique shift from a workout to a practice.
While the 2000s yoga incorporates fusions like yoga sculpt and yogalates, which are beneficial for a slow workout, yoga itself is about mindfulness and embodiment.
The Look
Becoming a full-fledged yogi starts from the top down, but looking the part doesn’t hurt. Here are some ways to cultivate the 2000s yoga look.
You don’t need a brand-new wrap top to be a yoga pro; fast fashion has no place in this journey. Second-hand shopping is your first stop, and apps like Depop and eBay are your best friend.
Outfit inspiration can also be found on Pinterest, where the aesthetic originally flourished.
Colors and color combinations like pink and green, plum purple, turquoise, and light yellow are essential to complete this look. Classic 2000s-esque silhouettes like fold-over flare pants and shorts, and V-neck workout or cotton tees are a great way to emulate this look and pump yourself up for the yogi journey.
Yoga is not typically a tight, crushing workout, so wearing flowy, organic fabric clothing is best for the gentle nature of forms like Vinyasa and Hatha. Wearing comfortable, loose clothes enhances the calmness of the practice.
Beyond the yoga mat, these looks can carry you into regular life. Embodying the yoga instructor aesthetic and adapting to an easy-going style can motivate you to further your practice.
As summer approaches, short sleeve styles are essential to encapsulate this vibe. Vintage tank tops and flip flops are relaxed additions to the Zen vibe.
Dressing the look not only helps you embody the vibe, but adding a few vintage, quality pieces to your style adds value and uniqueness to your wardrobe. While beginning your yoga journey is more than a look, starting with a few cute outfits will inspire a calm and disciplined mindset.
The Practice
Yoga is a spiritual discipline rooted in Hindu philosophy. It is a union between the body, mind, and spirit. In Western culture, it’s often mistaken as mostly a body movement and postures, otherwise known as asana.
Different asanas are practiced in a variety of forms. Some might want a more physical practice and flow, while others want stillness and breathwork.
There are many variations of yoga. Today, we see prenatal yoga, acro yoga, aerial yoga, and so on as modern adaptations that tweak original practices. But as a beginner, it’s best to understand the basics.
Vinyasa
A common form of yoga is Vinyasa, defined by poses synchronized with breath in a dynamic flow. Common asanas (poses) include sun salutations, warrior poses, half-moon, and twists.
Hatha
Hatha, a slower-paced practice, in Sanskrit words, is designed to balance the forces of the sun and moon — Ha means sun and Tha means moon. In Hatha yoga, there is a focus on alignment and calmness. Instead of mainly poses, Hatha combines this with special breathing techniques traced back to the first century and meditation. Hatha is known as the mildest form of yoga and is a great starting point for a beginner.
Yin
Yin yoga is also a slower paced form in which poses are held from 1-5 minutes to increase circulation. Yin yoga also has roots to martial arts and focuses on the hips, lower back, and thighs. To promote relaxation in this practice, props like bolsters and blankets are used to stretch the body with gravity.
The body’s connective tissues are the main target for this practice, straying from muscles, unlike other forms. Deep stretching is the main goal of the practice, a perfect way to recover after a tough workout. Holding poses offers this stretching, as well as practicing stillness for the mind and body.
Ashtanga
While other types of yoga are more freeform, Ashtanga is very structured, following six series of specific poses. This form is a slow process that a student builds up to, mastering each pose or series at their teacher’s discretion. Ashtanga is very physical and vigorous, moving at the pace of your own breath.
Bikram
Bikram yoga is a form of yoga founded by Indian American Guru Bikram Choudhury, wherein a set of sequences of poses is performed in a hot yoga setting. Typical Bikram classes are 90 minutes, made up of 26 poses and two breathing exercises, at a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Bikram yoga is a specific type of hot yoga that allows you to sink deeper into postures, improve circulation, and detoxify the body.
Kundalini
Kundalini (life force energy) yoga is a slow, more spiritual type of yoga that is defined by chanting, singing, meditation, and kriyas, or a specific series of poses paired with breath work. Some Kundalini practices have a relaxed, easy pose style, including specifically placed hands to focus on different chakras. Each class starts with a mantra, then breathing exercises, body warm-ups, the kriyas, and a final meditation.
Kundalini yoga is practiced in order to stimulate or unlock the “life force energy” and to reduce stress and negative thinking.
The Mindset
As a basic way of life in this wellness journey, it’s good to start out being comfortable in your own solitude, finding peace with yourself and developing self-love.
Try to romanticize different parts of your routine and the quiet parts of your life, like making your morning drink/breakfast, soaking in the sun on your walk to class, and especially, your yoga practice.
Keeping your space soft and calming is essential to maintain peace. Soothing aromas, air circulation, and maybe, if the weather permits, open windows for a nice, natural breeze.
Morning yoga provides an intentional body connection first thing in the morning, allowing your body to stretch out any tension gained through sleep or the previous day.
Specifically in the practice of yoga, there are eight limbs that are all collective elements, written by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in 400 CE. These include Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dayana, and Samadhi.
The second limb is Niyama: self-discipline. Components like cleanliness and self-study define this limb.
The fourth is Pranayama, or breathwork. Breathwork and asana go hand in hand and can be used to calm oneself outside of practice.
The fifth is Pratyahara, or inner awareness — being connected with one’s spirit and mind.
The sixth is Dharana, or concentration. This is essential in physical practice as it helps with alignment and mentally securing oneself in the movement.
The seventh is Dayana, or meditation. Many yoga practices include a small meditation at the end. Meditating is an excellent way to find inner peace and mentally release the tension of the day.
The eighth is Samadhi, or enlightened living. This is the collection of all the elements. Including these elements in your mental daily routine can secure a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle that the wellness wave hints at.