It can be challenging to find a hairstyle that is both practical and looks good for yoga, and as we get older our hair options can become more limited. Thankfully, we have compiled a list of 23 hairstyles that are simple enough to wear to yoga, while still being flattering for more grown-up hair.
One of my longtime clients came in for an appointment last month that really stood out to me. She said she stopped going to yoga because she couldn’t get her hair under control. Not the poses, not the schedule, not the drive. The hair. And honestly I get it because there is nothing more frustrating than trying to get into a zen active class and being bothered by your hair. You shouldn’t be worrying about your bangs getting in your face while you are in downward dog. Your bun should not feel like a torture device during savasana. You shouldn’t be sweating on your freshly blow dried hair.
In my experience, the most appropriate styles for grown-up hair are those that emphasize movement rather than restriction. The hairstyles featured in these photos should be done in a carefree way. Some of these hairstyles are wash-and-go styles and others are styles formed by cutting and some light styling which may take a few minutes but the end result will allow you to move freely without collapsing. You won’t have anything that needs to be taken apart when you are active and you won’t have to change your look.
#1: Textured Lob with Warm, Understated Highlights
This look is a winner every day. The length hitting right at the shoulder means you can pull it back when you need to and wear it down without it getting in your way. I love the highlighting here for the restraint, it warms up the base color and adds some visual interest without looking like you are trying too hard. The soft layers around the face are doing quiet, yet important work; they keep the whole thing from reading heavy or one note. This cut will give you that lived in fullness that looks effortless for medium density hair, but actually comes from some deliberate layering. Be ready to use a good texturizing spray to keep it looking fresh between washes.
#2 Textured Pixie with Feathered Edges
I have the most affection for this style because it seems to solve the most issues in one go. For fine hair, and especially if your hair is long enough to get caught in a ponytail, this is the cut I would say is worth the money. The layered texture is super convincing and gives the illusion of having a lot more hair than you really do. It looks great! The face framing pieces help break up any unflattering bluntness a pixie cut can have, especially with a lighter color. It looks gorgeous. To be honest, this cut definitely has a peak, and it will look the best around 3-4 weeks in. It does start to lose that ideal shape, and you will definitely need your hair to be on a more regular trim cycle to maintain that ideal look.
#3 Polished Low Bun with Soft Dimension
This look has lasted the test of time, and by just looking at it, you can tell why. It’s simple and practical. The low bun is easy to do, and once it’s done, you can even lie on your back without feeling annoyed by any weird pressure points from your hair. Most people don’t think about that when they’re getting their hair done for class. However, if your hair is a solid color and pulled back, it may look a little boring. A few subtly placed highlights can help break up that solid color and give some more life to the look. Your hair’s health is going to be super important if you choose this style. If you go this route, be sure to buy a good deep conditioning mask and use it weekly.
#4 Shoulder-Length Bob with Lived-In Waves
Seeing this silver strands as a challenge the cut plays with silvers and soft waves reflect light differently on the gray strands than the darker ones, and the end result is a level of dimension that you really can’t get from a bottle. The practical shoulder length also brings a lot of dimension into the style. If your hair is really fine ask your stylist to add some internal layers to give some body rather than going shorter because the wave pattern needs enough length to actually form, and the internal layers will help thin hair start to really wave.
#5 Relaxed Updo with Wispy, Face-Framing Bangs
It’s all about the bangs. They can take years off your age, and they don’t look like they are trying. That is what great styling choices do. The updo is just the right amount of organized and disorganized. It’s tight enough to hold its shape during a flow session, but not too tight that it makes you feel like it is a high bun. If your hair is fine to medium, this is a great look for you. The less hair you have, the more light and airy the updo will be. I know the bangs will be a pain to maintain, but it will be worth the effort.
#6 Cropped Feathered Cut with Soft Movement
I put clients in this cut when they are ready to stop fidgeting. It dries nicely on its own, looks effortless yet intentional, and it photographs better than almost any short cuts. Layers that are feathered catch the light and do not create harsh lines. The motion through the top and sides prevents it from being severe, which is the top concern I hear from women when they think about going this short. It’s a really simple style to get used to and the only real commitment to this cut is regular trims to keep it from growing out into something you didn’t sign up for.
#7 Low Ponytail with Loose, Face-Framing Pieces
This is what I would call a stealth hairstyle. It looks like very little effort has been put in, yet it’s modestly flattering from all angles. The secret to this is the face-framing layers. They soften the lines around the cheeks and jaw and break the monotony of a simple ponytail. The natural, uncoloured shades of grey are even more appreciated here as they provide a refinement to the look that is far too often lacking to dyed hair. If your hair is thin, those layers will give you a little more of that face-framing volume, which is a great gift you didn’t have to lift a finger for.
#8 High Ponytail with Natural Curl Texture
This high ponytail is a true standout style, especially for those who have naturally curly hair. The style maintains a perfect amount of volume to avoid looking messy away from the body. It also keeps all the hair off the neck, which is a huge plus for any kind of movement. Strong hold products are a requirement for this style to keep everything in place. Otherwise, your ponytail will be in constant disagreement with your curls.
#9 Relaxed Top Knot with Loose Front Pieces
To Pull Off This Look, You Should Avoid Being a Perfectionist. The bun should look like you spent thirty seconds on it, when in reality it took you two seconds. The face framing pieces should not look styled, it should look like you just threw your headband in with some pretty spiral ringlets. This look works best with hair that is at least medium length, and preferably hair with some natural wave or texture of its own, and if your hair is too silky and straight, use some dry texture spray like Backstabber, it’s great, at the roots before you twist the hair up, otherwise your bun is coming down before class is even over.
#10 Loose Updo with Soft Tendrils
I like how this style can have a romantic vibe to it, but doesn’t look too bridal. The loose tendrils by the face keep it looking modern, and not too romantic. This style works well for lower density hair because the lighter strands allow for the tendrils to have a natural movement, whereas thicker hair has more resistance and has to work harder for this. This style doesn’t hold up well in humidity, so if you will be in a hot yoga situation, you may want to save it for regular flow classes instead. If you want the style to hold longer, you can put some mousse through the ends before you put the hair up to help everything stay in place a bit more.
#11 Twisted Low Bun with Soft Layers Around the Face
What sets this apart from a typical low bun is the twisting done in the back. It adds a bit more of interest rather than just being pulled back. The face framing layers have a soft wave that keeps the entire look from being too strict or corporate. This hairstyle can go from morning class to lunch to running errands without needing to be changed. That’s what a lot of my clients want when they sit in my chair and say they want something easy.
#12 Loosely Pinned Curled Updo with Framing Layers
The loose waves help with two things: give the updo more dimension, and soften the look of the layers that fall around the face. This hairstyle is a true showstopper! It looks complex, but is actually pretty easy to achieve. If you have fine to medium naturally wavy hair, great, you’re already most of the way there. The biggest thing to consider is your hair’s behavior in humid environments. If the waves tend to tighten or loosen, you may want to think twice about this style for a sweaty class!
#13 Silver Blunt Bob with a Headband
The blunt cut serves a purpose by providing a clean, sharp line that shows the silver hue as intentional and contemporary rather than something that just happened to you. The headband is an exercise-friendly remedy to the bob that is too short to be tied back, but long enough to be in your face. A hairstyle where the hair accessories are both practical and pretty is quite uncommon. To maintain that crisp look, the blunt ends will need frequent upkeep. The look will be less appealing once the ends begin to split or if the hair grows unevenly.
#14 Softly Layered Silver Bob at Chin Length
I love chin length hair, and for good reason. Check out this stunning silver bob! With a few soft layers, the hair maintains its shape, and the smooth texture means you can simply wash and go. Style is quick and easy, you just need a little serum and you’re out the door. If you have silver hair and are considering highlights, proceed with caution! One too many highlights can take you from everyone’s dream hair to an absolute nightmare. This haircut is gorgeous and doesn’t need much, so just keep it simple!
#15 Casual High Bun with Wavy Texture
Some styles look best when they’re a little messy. The face framing waves soften and balance out the height of the bun. On medium length hair with natural curl, this style takes almost no time to put together. With this style, your hair’s texture does the styling, and you only need to get it up there. If your curls need a little encouragement, scrunch a small amount of product into your hair while it’s still damp and let it air dry before pulling it up.
#16 Chin-Length Textured Bob with Dimensional Color
The dimensional color is what makes this bob classy. It elevates the cut from something basic to something that will definitely get you praise. Rather than doing standard highlights, it seems the colorist approached the technique in a way that mimics natural lightening and darkening. Attention detail like that is costly. The waves you included prevent the cut from looking like a helmet and that is a frequent danger with chin length blunt bobs on fine to medium hair. If this is your vibe, be prepared for a color refresh to keep that nuanced effect. Plan for that.
#17 Playful Textured Bun with Wispy Bangs
Bang wisps and a messy bun add more charm than typical updos. It communicates that the person has style to spare, and it also suggests that they did not spend hours styling their hair—which is a good distinction to make. These bangs suit hair that is medium to fine in density since they will not overwhelm the forehead or seem too heavy. For yoga, this hairstyle will be perfect as the bangs will stay in place and the bun will keep the rest of the hair out of the way. Just apply a light styling cream to give the texture in the bun something to grab onto.
#18 Soft Curls at Shoulder Length with Face-Framing Layers
I love how warm and flowing the curls on grown up hair are. Face framing layers are blended with the curl pattern because poorly placed layers on curly hair can be unattractive. This length looks nice worn down, but is also convenient to pull back for class. To get this level of curl definition, a 1.25-inch curling iron, a bit of patience and some time in the morning will be necessary.
#19 Curly Bob with a Wide Headband
The problem is solved with a headband on curly hair, as they do not flatten the texture like elastics and clips do. Here the curls are extremely defined and bouncy, and at bob length means the curls have just enough weight to hold their shape and not too much to have them lose their shape. Curly hair at this length does require regular moisture, so if you are not using a leave in conditioner, start. With some style and a bit of width, the headband is not just functional, but becomes part of the look.
#20 Sleek Low Ponytail with a Gentle Twist
I like how this look is so simple. It looks really confident without needing to shout for attention. The small twist at the bottom of the ponytail is just the sort of thing that takes an extra five seconds and really makes the whole look polished. As for the ponytail, the sophisticated look should come pretty easily with just a little bit of product. With fine hair and the right thickness, it should be pretty easy. If you put too much product into it, it goes from polished to greasy really quickly. If your hair is a bit more thick or textured, you may need to use a blow-dryer, and preferably a cooling, smoothing brush to get it to look that way.
#21 Defined Natural Short Curls
The cut works really well for this hair type. It offers a polished shape, and works with the natural curl pattern instead of going against it, which is ideal for cutting curly hair. This looks good because the definition comes from the cut instead of a bunch of products, making it look good on day one and day three. For yoga, short curls are as low maintenance as it gets. No hair ties, no pins, no loose pieces falling into your face. If you want this kind of shape, find a stylist who cuts curly hair dry, because cutting it wet will give you a completely different result when the curls spring up.
#22 Cropped Pixie with Light Highlights
The example shows that they are being smart. They are taking the layered texture and highlighting it in a way that a single solid color wouldn’t show it as well. With a cut this short, every detail matters more because there’s less hair to distract from any one element, and the highlighting, it makes the layers look intentional and dimensional. This length also frames the face in a way that draws attention to the eyes and the cheekbones, so it tends to work really well on oval and heart shaped faces. It’s the sort of cut that makes getting ready in the morning almost unreasonably quick.
#23 Twisted Chignon with Soft, Wavy Texture
This updo looks polished but still has a level of relaxation to it. Most formal updos completely miss that balance. What’s special about this style is the soft waves running through the bun. Those waves keep the twist in place really well, so if you have fine to medium hair, this style is perfect for you! If your hair is slippery, just add a little bit of root texturizing powder to improve your grip before twisting it. This is also a perfect style for when you want to go from class to a place you don’t want to look like you just did a workout, which is basically every day for me.
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