YOGA
Rainy Training: A Starter Guide
February 1, 2024 · Alo Editorial · 3 MIN READ
For yoga for a rainy day, one decision matters more than the rest — the bolster. A short guide to getting it right the first time. This breaks down what to look for and what you can safely ignore.
Yoga for a rainy day is less about the newest fabric and more about the bolster that stays quiet while you move. If you only remember one thing, make it the second point below.
Setting it up, step by step in a rainy day
Start with the base, then the fit, then the layer. The same session can start cold and finish warm, or the other way round. Skipping the fit check is what causes most returns.
Height should match the shape rather than the prop pile. If you are stacking two to reach the right height, the one you own is the wrong one.
- 01Choose the bolster that handles handling a temperature swing.
- 02Verify the fit through a full range of motion.
- 03Add one layer you can remove without stopping.
- 04Decide what you will wear afterwards.
The job your bolster has to do
In yoga for a rainy day, the bolster does more work than anything else you put on. The cover should grip rather than slide, and the height should let your spine settle without stacking extra props. Everything else in the outfit is secondary to that.
What separates a workable kit from a frustrating one here is how you handle handling a temperature swing. Get that right and everything after it is preference.
What the knit actually does
The knit matters more than the fibre name on the label. For handling a temperature swing, look for recovery — the fabric should spring back where it is stretched, not stay extended after you move.
If you are choosing between two that both fit, take the one that still works when the plan changes. Sessions rarely go exactly as intended.
What to check before you buy in a rainy day
Two pieces can look identical on the hanger and behave differently in a rainy day. The checks below are the ones that catch it early. Garnet Conquer Reform Crewneck Short Sleeve is the piece we would test them against first.
- The sleeve seam should sit at the top of the shoulder, not below it.
- Check it under a layer: a tight sleeve bunches at the arm.
- Lift the arm to shoulder height and check the hem stays down.
How to tell if it fits
Run three checks before you keep anything: the cover should grip rather than slide, and the height should let your spine settle without stacking extra props. Do all three standing and again seated, because the same session can start cold and finish warm, or the other way round.
None of this needs a large wardrobe. It needs the right bolster, checked properly, and a habit of air drying.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What should I pack for yoga for a rainy day?
- The bolster, one layer that opens fully, and a dry change for afterwards. Once you know what to look for you will see it in every piece you try on.
- Is a more expensive bolster worth it?
- Usually yes for the base layer and no for everything else. Spend where handling a temperature swing is carried. It is the sort of difference you notice twenty minutes in, not on the hanger.
- How do I stop it smelling?
- Do not store it damp. Most odour is a storage problem, not a wash problem. Get that one thing right and most of the other decisions stop mattering.
WORTH A LOOK
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Written by Alo Editorial. Every fit and fabric claim in this guide is checked against the pieces we actually sell — if something does not apply to your size, body or climate, our customer care team will say so. Corrections get published, not quietly deleted.
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