What can a yogasana athlete wear, and what music is allowed?
Officials' detail · The sport and its events · 1 of 1The costume must be non-transparent and tight-fitting, with a closed neckline, so that judges can see the positions. In the artistic and rhythmic events the music must suit a yogic character, which rules out pop and rock songs, and it is handed in on a USB drive. No props are allowed, and using one means disqualification.
How it works
- Material: non-transparent.
- Fit: tight, so the judges can assess the positions. Decoration to suit the theme is allowed if it is safe.
- Neckline: around the neck, with no cuts.
- Sleeves and legs: half sleeves or sleeveless. Long tights or a full-length one-piece are allowed.
- Hair and make-up: hair neat, and make-up that does not hide who the athlete is.
- Pairs in the rhythmic event: the same costume, pattern or theme.
- Pair wristbands: player 1 wears red and player 2 blue, on both wrists.
- Music allowed: meditational or instrumental music, folk, devotional and patriotic songs. Also instrumental versions of rock and pop.
- Music not allowed: vulgar songs, item songs and rock or pop songs.
- Handing it in: on a USB drive holding only that track, given to the stage manager in advance.
- Props: none. Using any prop means disqualification.
The glossary has the theme and music, the music submission, the props, the character and expression, the namaste greeting and the A judges.
Tricky cases
The music stops halfway because of the sound system. Is the routine marked as it stands?
No. If the music stops because of the technical set-up, the athlete gets a chance to perform again with no deduction.
Can an athlete perform to the tune of a pop song without the words?
Yes. Instrumental versions of rock and pop music are allowed. The songs themselves are not.
Is a costume worth marks?
Yes, in the music events. It carries 1 mark out of the artistry judges' 20, with deductions in steps of 0.25.
Do costume and music rules apply to the traditional event?
The costume rules do. The traditional event's rules give the same costume list and say nothing of music.
Why the rule exists
A judge marks the line of a spine, the angle of a knee and the place of a hand, and loose cloth hides all three. The music rule keeps the event recognisable as yogasana and not as a dance contest. Props would let an athlete hold a balance that the body alone could not.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Every event | The same costume rules | Code of Points, traditional 15; artistic single 2 |
| Music events | Costume marked out of 1; theme and music out of 1 | Code of Points, artistic single 2.8; 3.9 |
| Rhythmic pair | Matching costumes | Code of Points, rhythmic pair 2.4 |
| Pair events | Red and blue wristbands | Code of Points, artistic pair 8.20; rhythmic pair 8.16 |
| Props | Disqualification | Code of Points, artistic single 4.9 |
From the rule book
Code of Points for yogasana sports, Chapter 5, Guidelines for Yogasana Events (School Games Federation of India copy, edition not stated), traditional point 15 and sections 2, 3 and 4 of each music event. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the national federation's Code of Points (only Chapter 5 is saved).