Cologne - The purpose of yoga may be to bring body, mind and soul into harmony, but a lot of people taking yoga classes want to look good too.

Many sportswear makers have recognized this and are offering yoga apparel. Their autumn and winter collections this year follow current fashion trends, especially in the choice of colours.

The new, yoga-wear line by Adidas is almost exclusively in natural colours, dominated by shades of mineral grey and green such as chalk, lava grey and flint, as well as light and dark loam hues. Venice Beach's yoga collection has a similar look, with colours such as limestone and moss green.

More eye-catching are the light and dark shades of blue in Puma's yoga line. Nike takes a different tack: Some of the tops in its collection are dark red as well as bright blue, green, and pink, combined with black or white.

The sportswear makers' choice of natural colours seems to suit the taste of yogis. "Earthy colours are particularly popular, but bordeaux, bramble berry hues, and black are worn a lot too," remarked Ambika Ebenau, an instructor at the Yogaloft studio in Cologne.

Though yoga outfits are generally form-fitting, the trousers are looser than those worn during aerobics or jogging. "Trousers with a wide waistband that can be turned down are totally in at the moment," Ebenau said. The trouser legs are slightly flared at the bottom.

Yogis prefer tops to T-shirts, Ebenau noted, adding that tops with a layered look were very popular. A wrap jacket is worn over the top.

Along with close-fitting trousers flared at the bottom, Venice Beach has baggy trousers and three-quarter trousers with high waistbands. Nike also sells trousers with wide waistbands that can be turned down, in both three-quarter and normal length.

To go with their trousers, women who practise yoga wear either a bodysuit, a figure-hugging T-shirt or top. There is a choice between tank tops and bandeau tops with built-in bras, either in the form of boxer shirts or with spaghetti straps criss-crossed in back.

In addition to short trousers, Adidas has high-waisted cargo pants and very close-fitting trousers. The latter are narrow at the ankles and not flared. As for tops, Adidas offers boxer shirts, T-shirts, and tank tops with criss-crossed spaghetti straps.

People wanting to buy yoga apparel should make sure that the fit is not too tight. "The trousers, in particular, shouldn't be too long" - otherwise the yogi will constantly step on them - advised Anke Rebetje, spokeswoman for the Goettingen-based Association of Yoga Instructors in Germany (BDY).

Wrap tops are especially becoming on women with ample figures, Rebetje said, as "they nicely accentuate the chest." But she noted that buying special yoga tops or trousers was not really necessary. Normal sportswear is perfectly adequate as long as it is comfortable, and preferably made of cotton, she said. (dpa)