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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

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Original poster

Topless yoga!

39 replies

Newmum738 · 09/03/2022 16:35

I've been going to a hot yoga class and on Sunday, a guy rocked up next to me with no top on and jus a small pair of shorts. I found it really uncomfortable and offensive to be honest so I emailed the company to ask about the dress code.

I said that I hadn't found it comfortable and for women from some cultures this would be completely unacceptable. And of course if I took my top off I'm sure I would get kicked out.

I've had a reply today that says there is an FAQ doc that states it's OK for men to be topless. They said that the man had his girlfriend next to him (how is this relevant?!!). And perhaps I could move next time or go to a different class that isn't so busy.

Wondered what people think about this response?

OP posts:

MangyInseam · 09/03/2022 16:40

I wouldn't love it either, however it looks like from the POV of the man, he was within the rules.

I guess I would be wondering why they made that decision about dress requirements - there might be a good reason but they should be able to communicate that, even if it is just that it is fairly common or traditional in yoga practice (no idea if that is true btw, just an example.)

Their suggestions don't seem wrong to me but would have been better accompanied by an explanation for the rule. The gf comment is odd, maybe they thought you were suggesting he was hitting on you? I have realized that quite a lot of people will make totally inaccurate assessments of why someone has been bothered by something so it would not surprise me if they thought that.

Original poster

Newmum738 · 09/03/2022 16:45

The gf comment is weird and also inappropriate! He was ripped to be fair but I still think men should be required to put a top on! They did women can wear a sports bra so I guess it's just like the beach or swimming.

OP posts:

Winnietiggerpiglet · 09/03/2022 16:46

Men? Or everyone who identifies as a man? If you identify as a man and take your top off, is that ok?

Original poster

Newmum738 · 09/03/2022 16:57

@Winnietiggerpiglet exactly. I don't think they are very up to speed with EDI.

OP posts:

Loopytiles · 09/03/2022 17:00

Sexist bullshit from the hot yoga place. I’d take my business elsewhere!

Winnietiggerpiglet · 09/03/2022 17:01

@Loopytiles

Sexist bullshit from the hot yoga place. I’d take my business elsewhere!

Sexist, unhygienic bullshit. I like sweaty people to wear clothes to soak up their sweat in public places. I hope their cleaner is thorough.

MangyInseam · 09/03/2022 17:14

If women can wear a sports bra, I am not surprised men can go without any shirt at all. I am guessing it's about the heat element.

It sounds like the class would not work for someone who would be restricted from seeing men shirtless in other ways anyway, TBH. They'd need a single sex class.

Winnietiggerpiglet · 09/03/2022 17:21

@MangyInseam

If women can wear a sports bra, I am not surprised men can go without any shirt at all. I am guessing it's about the heat element.

It sounds like the class would not work for someone who would be restricted from seeing men shirtless in other ways anyway, TBH. They'd need a single sex class.

Why can’t the men wear a cropped vest top? If womens nipples are offensive, why are mens allowed to be out in the wild.

It’s also very unhygenic. Lots of gyms won’t let anyone be topless because the floor/mats/equipment have swear dropped on them.

Winnietiggerpiglet · 09/03/2022 17:21

Sweat dripped

LizDoingTheCanCan · 09/03/2022 17:24

It’s also very unhygenic. Lots of gyms won’t let anyone be topless because the floor/mats/equipment have swear dropped on them.

Just as they will from a woman in a bra top. It's hot yoga, it goes without saying that the place gets sweaty.

Universe1969 · 09/03/2022 17:30

A former colleague wants stood in front of Harry styles. She loved doing her downward dog in front of him. Tb fair she has an excellent figure

Winnietiggerpiglet · 09/03/2022 17:31

@LizDoingTheCanCan

It’s also very unhygenic. Lots of gyms won’t let anyone be topless because the floor/mats/equipment have swear dropped on them.

Just as they will from a woman in a bra top. It's hot yoga, it goes without saying that the place gets sweaty.

The bra top will soak up a lot of the sweat though. Men are allowed to wear cropped vests on places where you can’t be topless because it does help.

SpanishPapers · 09/03/2022 17:34

Pretty normal at a hot yoga place. At ours there are plenty of topless men and women in basically bra and pants. It’s compulsory to bring your own mat and towel so sweat isn’t an issue. Honestly, people drip sweat whatever they’re wearing.

MangyInseam · 09/03/2022 17:38

Why can’t the men wear a cropped vest top? If womens nipples are offensive, why are mens allowed to be out in the wild.

It’s also very unhygenic. Lots of gyms won’t let anyone be topless because the floor/mats/equipment have swear dropped on them.

It's not about the nipples, really, is it - it's about the breast as a secondary sexual characteristic.

Personally I think bra tops in public outside of beaches are verging on the inappropriate, but arguably a fitness class is like the beach.

Hot yoga is kind of gross no matter how you slice it I think, it's always going to be dripy. Hopefully they mop afterwards.

SunniDelite · 09/03/2022 17:40

I hate it when people show too much flesh anywhere but the beach or swimming pool. Most people look much better clothed. I found it really offensive the couple of times a man came into my shop with no top on. It seemed disrespectful. I wonder what the motive was for the bloke to come to a class without a shirt. To make the ladies swoon over his physique, I suppose. Also sweat being flung about, yuk! I would ask why it was OK for men to be topless and not women? it sounds discriminatory :)

TooManyPJs · 09/03/2022 18:09

This post is very weird. Most people wear hardly anything to a hot yoga class. It's really hot. So many (not everyone obvs) women often wear just a bra top and very short shorts or similar. So basically beachwear. The male equivalent is shorts and no top. Or would you have been happy if he wore a bra top that he didn't need?

Why would you have been uncomfortable that he was in no top. Have you never been to a beach or swimming pool? Or in fact out anywhere on a sunny day?

shivermetimbers77 · 09/03/2022 18:16

This is pretty standard at a hot yoga class and I don’t think the man or the yoga studio are being unreasonable. Many people basically wear beachwear in there… However if you feel uncomfortable perhaps try a cooler class or seek out a women only session.

Original poster

Newmum738 · 09/03/2022 19:14

@TooManyPJs I don't have to have someone I don't know that close on a beach or swimming pool! It was unexpected for me. I've been going for a while now and this was the first time there was someone with no top on. I think the response to my query wasn't good either. Why is it relevant that his gf was there with him?!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Newmum738 · 09/03/2022 19:15

@shivermetimbers77

There is no women only session unfortunately.

OP posts:

TooManyPJs · 09/03/2022 21:34

[quote Newmum738]@TooManyPJs I don't have to have someone I don't know that close on a beach or swimming pool! It was unexpected for me. I've been going for a while now and this was the first time there was someone with no top on. I think the response to my query wasn't good either. Why is it relevant that his gf was there with him?!! [/quote]
Well it’s not particularly relevant but I expect they were trying to reassure you (not very well) that he wasn’t a weird pervert.

But their response doesn’t take away from the fact that you are being unreasonable in the first place. If you don’t like scantily clad people then I don’t think a hot yoga class is for you.

Liveandkicking · 09/03/2022 21:37

Honestly I don’t see a massive problem here.

HangingOver · 09/03/2022 21:37

My hot yoga teacher doesn't wear a shirt. None of the men do. I wear shorts and a sports bra... I'd never even thought about it... Just feels like same rules as bathers to me...

topcat2014 · 09/03/2022 21:40

I went to my first yoga class last week. I didn't really want to take my socks off.. never mind anything else

oviraptor21 · 09/03/2022 21:45

I don't think I'd like that either OP.
It's a shame they can't have some classes where tops are required. After all it's not exactly necessary to be topless to keep cool.

Original poster

Newmum738 · 09/03/2022 22:04

@TooManyPJs that does make sense. I hadn't thought about it that way.

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