Barefoot or Socks for Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is, with very few exceptions, a barefoot practice. You should never wear shoes into the yoga room, as they track in dirt from the outside and prevent you from properly using your feet. The reason for practicing barefoot is foundational to yoga. It allows you to properly 'root down' and connect with your mat, using all four corners of your feet for stability. It enables you to articulate the small muscles in your feet and ankles, which is crucial for building a strong foundation for all standing and balancing postures. Your feet are packed with nerve endings, and practicing barefoot provides direct sensory feedback from the ground, which is essential for balance and body awareness. The only exception to this rule is the use of specialized yoga socks. These are not regular athletic socks; they are thin, fitted socks that have small silicone or rubber grips on the sole to prevent slipping. Some people choose to wear these for hygienic reasons or if they have a foot condition like plantar fasciitis that requires extra support. However, the vast majority of practitioners and teachers advocate for a barefoot practice to receive the full benefits.