4 Ideas For Celebrating National Yoga Month With Your Ladies

September is National Yoga Month, and whether you’re a hardcore yogi who can twist into complicated poses or just really like wearing yoga pants, there are so many reasons to celebrate.

Yoga has a variety of amazing health benefits, including increased flexibility, improved strength, and better heart health. A solid practice can even reduce stress and anxiety and help you sleep better — and in these uncertain times, that’s pretty valuable! But perhaps the best thing about yoga is that it’s accessible to everyone. All you need is a mat (or a towel) and an outfit you can move in.

National Yoga Month is a great opportunity for everyone to experience the calming effects of a regular practice. And what better way to celebrate the powerful women in your life than inviting them to experience an activity that’s good for their body, mind, and soul? Bustle partnered with Athleta to scout out the best ways to celebrate National Yoga Month with your BFFs. Whether you want to deepen your practice or just dip your toes in, here are four ideas to celebrate National Yoga Month with your best ladies — and of course, the best gear to guide your practice!

1. Organize A Socially Distant Flow & Picnic

Yoga is a socially distant activity by nature, since you need at least six feet to spread out into a good Warrior II pose. This makes it a perfect (and safe!) activity to gather for in a park or outdoor public space. Sweeten the invite by bringing along a retro cooler and making it a potluck-style picnic — after your flow, your yoga mats can double as picnic blankets.

Ask a yoga-enthusiast friend to lead the group, or have everyone contribute $5 to $10 and hire a professional for a beginner-friendly 45-minute flow. You don’t need much, but these textured tights from Athleta are comfortable, come with a side stash pocket to store your essentials, and are equipped with SPF 50+ to keep you protected while you’re outside. An accompanying cocoon-wrap shrug with even deeper pockets will allow you to move freely and feel cozy all evening long.

2. Host A Yoga & Crafting Session

Whether you’ve lost yourself in a quarantine craft or are still looking for the perfect activity to pass the time, hosting a yoga and crafting session is a great way to get your stretch on before sitting down to master the trickery of a new, artsy skill. Invite your friends to join you (virtually or IRL outdoors) for a yoga flow followed by a crafty endeavor.

Poll your friends to see who has the most fun or unique skill, and ask them to share their knowledge. From making friendship bracelets, to home brewing and scrapbooking, there’s no shortage of crafts to choose from. And remember — if you get stuck, there’s always tie-dye!

Leave no craft essential behind by outfitting yourself in these stash pocket yoga pants. Featuring keyhole cutouts, you’ll also get some breezy ventilation during your flow. The Cinch Longline Bra doubles as a workout top and sleek crop, and for post-flow craft dedication, get lost in this long, heathered, hooded Harmony Wrap.

3. Plan A Happy Hour Flow

Yoga may not be everyone’s exercise of choice, but surely you can incentivize your friends to gather with the promise of a post-flow happy hour. Unite virtually for face masks and drinks in cute glasses from the comfort of your own home, or gather in a park for a socially distanced yoga class followed by a walk to your favorite establishment offering to-go drinks.

It’s the perfect excuse for wearing your most stylish yoga pants and matching crop to happy hour — which, let’s be honest, you were going to do anyway. The Salutation Stash Pocket II Embossed Tight is sleek with side pockets to carry your wallet and ID, and the Conscious Embossed Crop matches the tight’s tribal design. If the evening goes later than expected, add a layer like the roomy, soft Essence Flow Top to keep you warm.

4. Get Zen With A Meditation Workshop

Yogis have been practicing dhyana, or meditation, for hundreds of years. The practice can help you focus on the present, increase patience, and manage stress. To make National Yoga Day extra zen, indulge in a meditation workshop without leaving home. Eliminate distractions, light a candle, find a comfortable place to sit and the perfect outfit to rock. The moonflower pattern of this tight and bra sets the perfect scene for serene focus, and you can’t get much more comfortable with this softer-than-fleece sherpa jacket. After that, you’re ready to begin!

Apps like this and this allow you to access tons of guided meditations from anywhere, or you can make your practice your own by indulging in meditative journaling or focusing on your breath. Whatever you decide, take a moment to thank yourself for prioritizing self-care — and be sure to remind your BFFs to do the same.

This post is sponsored by Athleta.