My first reaction to the hijab-and-uncovered-yoga-pants combo at the fitness room was that this was hypocritical and irritating. My second thought was more flexible, I think. People have to make all kinds of statements and compromises in their lives, pleasing themselves, pleasing various others. If they looked at my choices they might see similar inconsistencies. It's all part of coming to America.
I don't understand. "Hijab" and "uncovered" in the same sentence don't make sense to me.
ReplyDeleteHeadscarf and shapeless garment over the torso, but not extending below the waist. Yoga pants with no further covering. Unexpected.
ReplyDeleteI'm not actually sure what the formal rules of female modesty call for here. It could be that covering skin and hair is sufficient, even if one's shape shows. (I've seen "modest bathing suits for Muslimahs" that are basically wetsuits—with a hood for the hair.)
ReplyDeleteThere are fatwas all over the place on this one, if you look into it. But I think the bigger issue for a really pious Muslim is whether they should practice yoga at all, given its deep ties to Hinduism. Arguably the American form is so secularized that it won't matter; arguably the panentheistic aspects survive, and threaten Islamic orthodoxy in several respects.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. The Y offers both yoga and tai chi. I don't know if they go to those classes. I just know they wear the pants on the treadmill, and it seemed odd. Maybe it's not odd. Maybe it's just my lack of understanding. And maybe it's just two people.
ReplyDelete("Yoga pants" is just a style of pants—stretchy fabric, snug through the hips, wide soft waistband, flared legs. Doesn't correlate well with practicing yoga, AFAICT.)
ReplyDeleteAlthough a search for "Muslim women yoga pants" seems to indicate this is a thing. There's even a quora thread on this question.