STRIKE A POSE: to be a yoga aficionado, it's not enough just to be flexible:now you need the proper gear, ranging from a sticky mat to an 'Om' backpack, to get in position.

NOW THAT THE cool kids have hit the mat, outfitting the yoga enthusiast — from mats and props to workout ensembles — has become quite the conspicuous affair. Forget aligning the spine, arching the back, and breathing correctly; if the spandex ensemble isn’t just so, better give up that spot on the mat.

In line for a Saturday-morning sweat session at Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga lair in Porter Square, two blush-heavy women dish about their husbands’ four-irons, clutching — with the outside arm — the mat of the moment. Ooooh, I want one too. Buy your own Truly Blue Sticky Yoga Mat ($30) at Baptiste’s studio. Or shell out a little extra for the carrier bag with shoulder strap ($8). It’s this season’s hippest accessory: strap it on even if you’re not going to class. But if seeking Zen involves rah-rah cheers and dripping all over, you may want a sturdier mat, lest your downward-facing dog tip onto the ground. Roots & Wings, a Cambridge emporium proud to have been the first online yoga store (www.yoga.com), offers up a Deluxe Sticky Mat ($21.95) with extra gumminess, traction, and padding.

For those seeking at-home calm, Matsu sells pre-packaged Om Yoga in a Box ($35), a do-it-yourself kit that includes two CDs, a 16-page instructional booklet, 68 flash cards, a yoga belt (for behind-the-back arm stretches and such), and a candle, plus sandalwood incense with a holder to hook up some vibe with that ommm. Cambridge Naturals stocks more than 75 books and videos; apparently they’re selling faster than you can say “Namaste.” “Ohmygod,” sighs store employee Tiffany Iliadis, “We sell yoga videos every day. We sell mats every day. Yoga’s becoming very popular.”

A few sessions of vigorous sweating, and you may actually relish squishing that newly tight bod into the once-scary spandex yoga uniform. City Sports has a variety of full-length leggings, unitards, and tanks for her, and shirts and cotton sweatpants or shorts for him, from Danskin, Nike, Asics, and many other makers. For something a little more unique, the Hugger Mugger yoga catalogue has a set of tie-dyed, unfortunately named YogaTards ($51.95 to $66.95).

Of course, jumping on the yoga bandwagon doesn’t mean you actually have to get down to business. Sporting Roots & Wings’ “Om” logo shirts ($14.95 to $38.95) and fanny packs ($9.95) or Hugger Mugger’s oddly imperative breathe! T-shirt ($16.95 to $19.95) broadcasts the same studied relaxation.

I’m not only calm, I’m in on the trend, dammit!

• Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga Studio, 2000 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 661-YOGA, www.baronbaptiste.com

• Cambridge Naturals, 1670 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 492-4452

• City Sports, various locations around Greater Boston

• Hugger Mugger, (800) 268-YOGA, www.huggermugger.com

• Matsu, 259 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 266-9707

• Roots & Wings, 87 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, (866) 266-9642, www.yoga.com

Issue Date: April 19-26, 2001