Appropriate clothing for women in Mysore

missemma25

Hi there

I am new to IndiaMike. I am planning to travel to Mysore to practice at KPJAYI in 2 weeks (late june) for one month. After that I plan to go to Goa for more yoga practice.

Can anyone tell me if it is appropriate for women to wear sleeveless tops/shorts in Mysore, given that there are lots of western students studying yoga there? I know that in most places (except for Goa) one must cover shoulders and upper legs, but I was wondering if this is also the case in Mysore.

Thanks in advance!

rinkubhat

i dont thk its a problem,but if u gona wear those clothes and go out u might be the odd 1 out and u will get the attention of people fast.so to be on the safer side better to avoid shorts(wear pants,jeans or long skirts)(sleevless tops is never a problem)
happy learning yoga !!

missemma25

Thank you. So I am ok to wear sleeveless tops, but I should wear long pants or skirts? Are shorts/pants below the knees ok or do the pants need to be full length?

rinkubhat

u r welcome!
yes u can wear slevless tops and pants/jeans below knees.

Wildhorse

I strongly advise against wearing sleeveless tops - city or no city, foreigners around or no foreigners around. It definitely sends the wrong message, and I do believe that most women who have been to India several times will agree.

Of course you will see foreign girls in skimpy clothing, that's because they don't have a clue what they are getting themselves into.

Being a foreigner, you will get a lot (A LOT!!) of unwanted attention in any case. If you want even more stares (or more)from local men, then go ahead and wear sleeveless tops.

theyyamdancer

Hello missemma25, and welcome to IndiaMike!

Personally I think that you will be so hot practising Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore in the summer that you would be unable to wear anything BUT sleeveless tops!

However, after class, and whilst walking or biking the streets of Mysore, it is a good idea to respect the usual dress code as outlined by the other posters here.

__________________
"Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

descartes_phi

Hey!!!

I don't think clothes are going to have a big impact, as Indian girls also wear sleeveless tops and go around in city..In fact its perception of people...Some sick people would exaggerate things and are always complaining..I am here in Mysore and have never seen anything awkward or offensive against any foreigner as i myself live near KPJAYI yogashala.

But certainly you will get a bit attention of people just because you are from other culture and are a stranger for local people..and that is a natural behavior..don't worry too much..Mysore is very safe and pleasant city...

Have a very pleasant trip..

Balion
Greatest battles of life are fought daily in silent chambers of soul

Indizen

It would be prudent to cover your thighs, so shorts could be replaced by jeans and skirts.

brishti

general dress code for anywhere in india:
one must cover upper legs ?
spaghetti tops ?
sleeveless allowed ? except whilst visiting religious places



there is a difference between skimpy tops and sleeveless ones.


there are literally reams written on this topic on IndiaMike emma -
one can actually write a thesis with the given material here!!
scroll to the bottom of the page - and you'll notice all them threads.



:brishti

theyyamdancer

There seems to be a slight confusion here between what is acceptable clothing in the Ashtanga Yoga Shala of KPJYAI in Mysore and what is worn on the streets of Mysore. As far as I know there is a huge difference between the two!

Since Ashtanga yoga is a very athletic style and one is encouraged to sweat buckets minimal clothing is acceptable.

However, on the street is another matter. Simply copy what the other yoga students do. And I am quite sure you won't go far wrong!

Happy travels in Mysore.

rinkubhat

mysore is a safe place according to me.have been der many times,never heard about any bad behaviour 2 foreigners.

namaste_cat

I think what tdancer said is key b/c inside esp w/ lots of westerners, it's probably not a big deal wearing what one would in the West. Outside, I'd follow the same guidelines as to other parts of India.

Based on my experience during yoga practice regardless of ashram and location, I find that what I wear in the U.S. just doesn't seem to work in India. Mileage varies of course, but for me, I find here synthetic material that wicks away perspiration is ok. My teenage daughter & I wear something like this at yoga class (all-women) or at home.

But in India esp in Mysore, the humidity really gets to us. I can't wear anything synthetic at all, so I find loose breathable clothing works better. So you might find from a practical point of view, not just to keep the stares down in general, wearing a longer loose pair of cotton/linen or blend shorts even capri length will suit your purposes.

As for top, you could wear a camisole top like this with a lucknowi chikan kurta over it if you like (or not). My daughter loves these sleevless versions.

Have a lovely trip! from a yellow yogini