Years ago I really disliked yoga. Just ask my dear friend Cindy McGee. She could not drag me to a class if she tried. I couldn’t turn my mind off and preferred a workout that left me panting and drenched.

Oh how things have changed.

Now I crave yoga — both the butt-kicking sculpt version and slower, traditional kind — and realize how much it helps me relieve stress. I still have a hard time turning my mind off completely but I’ve come a long way. I also notice a strength in my legs and arms that I have never had before, and that strength has had a notable impact (positive) on my skiing this year. My goal is to keep exploring this practice and maybe one day, treat myself to a true yoga retreat or multiday workshop of some kind.

But this post is not about preaching to you about the wonderful virtues of yoga. It’s way more vain than that. It is about all the cute gear I wish I was rocking to yoga classes each week.

Manduka eKO Mat

First, I need a new mat in the worst way. I bought mine in 2002 or 2003 when I thought I liked Bikram yoga (I did not). It is from Target and is so thin that I have to put a towel under my butt to protect my tailbone when we do floor work. Good mats aren’t cheap but this Manduka version has stellar reviews and I’ve heard great things about the brand. I love the acai color.

prAna Abi Top

I am a Lululemon fanatic but I also want to branch out and get a few more tops and pants that are from different stores. My friend and colleague Ramonna raves about prAna and I finally visited the Boulder, Colo. store a few weeks ago. They had so many things I wanted, but I really love this prAna top because of the design. Most of my workout tops are plain, but they don’t need to be!

Athleta Chaturanga™ Yoga Knicker

Athleta is one of those brands that I have never tried but am perpetually curious about. These yoga pants caught my eye because of the color and length–a great option for classes that tend to get hot, but don’t necessarily require shorts. I wonder if my calves would automatically look like the model’s if I buy them?

Lululemon No Limit Tank

No yoga fashion post would be complete without at least one Lululemon item to lust over. Overall I prefer my tops to be loose and my yoga pants tight, which is why I love this top. A fun peek at the built-in sports bra but still plenty of movement around the arms, tummy and sides.

I never understood buying nice gym clothes until recently, but they do make a difference for whatever reason!

What gym attire (or gear) do you splurge on for yourself?