A gimmick? a trend? A Movement?
Oh Nudieness is growing all right..(esp in SF) did you know about Skinbook? It’s a whole social-networking site specifically for nudists!
Sure with all this jib jabbing about who’s wearing what to yoga class and the cost of making your tush look firm, it does kinda make you want to forget the whole flippin thing and wear your birthday suit! Kinda? No? Well we’ll bet our bottom dollar that 98% of you have practiced a little exposed yog at one time or another…we recommend it in the shower, you know, a little downdoggin under the steamy deluge? Aaanyway…
We know all about Celebs and their affinity for yoga practice, but are all these celebriyogis really doing it in the buff? A little news article bares the claim that there’s been a shift in the Hollywood moviestar sort, with a surging interest in yoga, in the nude!
And as you could’ve guessed, Indian yoga honchos are none too pleased. Yogexpert Bharat Thakur says he’s shocked!
“It’s the worst you can do to yoga. There are other ways to lose your fears like singing before people, talking in front of a crowd, showing your poetry to a group of people. Shedding one’s clothes propagates perversion. You’ll be better off on a nude beach!”
Ruchi Kale of the Dhyan Foundation rubbished the trend as a “gimmick”.
It’s not like nudism is a new thing, even in yoga. And though overcoming fear is part, liberation is often the attraction. But Gwenyth Paltrow, Nicholas Cage, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Wilson and Naomi Watts all dropping trou in yoga class? That’s kinda hard to believe. Even wild child Drew Barrymore keeps her electric blue pants on.
Erotic-asana?
We agree that lately #nakedyoga has become a “trending topic” if you will 😉
So, all this posing nude, naked people, partner exercises may summon a little…ahh… sexual tension you say? This is our favorite line from the about.com article on that subject “And while wild orgies may not break out, most admit that it is kind of a pick-up scene.” We’ll say.
Surely being buck could help with alignment, maybe self body image, but being practical here, we just wonder how nudie booty yogis deal with all the sweat, cause seriously we have enough trouble sopping it up with clothes on. Also, is it safe to assume it’s BYOM (bring your own mat) or do these naked yoga studios have some nuclear active tea tree oil? Because sweat can be icky.. but ah, who knows what other bodily secretions may be lurking about. (sorry) Plus, don’t some things run the risk of getting.. tangled? Just sayin’.
What do you think? Does it improve self body image to be stripped? Does eroticism get in the way? We are human after all…
Looking for Nude Yoga near you? check out www.nakedyoga.net for a directory of groups and links to resources (don’t think we have to mention it but WARNING: there’s nudity. NSFW) Not a gay male? don’t worry, there’s nude yoga for you too. Try NakedYogaNYC.
further reading at YogaNation: Do Yoga…Naked!
Earlier…Getting Naked in Nude York City: Celebrating the Human Form or Foreplay?
odd how 4/4 links I hit are for men only. even the l.a. link.
I am not shy about nudity. I used to live in a commune that had monthly nekkid potluck dinners. I enjoy going to a clothing optional spring/spa in CA when I visit. However nekkid yoga with people that are not my spouse and extremely close friends does not seem appealing.
I have no problem with nude yoga at home. And certainly our Thailand retreat center had its fair share of skinny dipping and we all showered in banana circles that weren’t quite grown enough to make much in the way of shelter. And I daresay once most of the construction has finished at the center, there will be more general nudity amongst our family of yogis.
But going to a class full people I’ve never met and stripping down to do yoga? Forgetaboutit!
@ Svasti –i don’t even want to know what a “banana circle” is… and what qualifies it as “grown enough” oy!
Wow! I am free, but not that free. I am not sure what would be worse….being in downdog at the front of the class or the back of the class….;-)
Hats off to those brave souls who strip down!
Okay, so maybe doing the full monty is a worthy Fear Factor challenge to some folks. But why link it to yoga? Why not have nude cafes, nude boutiques (would make trying on clothes really efficient), nude bicycle paths and hiking trails, nude chefs in open kitchens, etc…
Anyway, to me the sanitation factor would be my Fear Factor (gross! I spray and wipe down the studio cycles at the gym AND sit on a towel if my shorts are short enough to allow any skin-to-public-saddle contact). As for “sexual tension,” what percentage of the population is easy on the eyes (much less doable)? Like nude beaches, I’m sure the “scene” is ultimately a phenomenal letdown to those curious enough to try it.
I’ve been to Esalen where the hot tubs are mostly nude and you’re taking group showers (nude, of course!)
I gotta tell ya — most people look better with their clothes on.
@darla magee – all very self-explanatory if you check out this photo of a banana circle.
That’s what they looked like twelve months ago anyway, but I understand the trees have shot up since then, hence providing a great deal more ‘natural’ shower screen. Haha!
And the bathing area is only a short walk from the main training hall (this photo is from the very early stages of construction – it didn’t even have the circumnambulation deck in place yet!).
Anyway, as you can see, its a banana trees planted in a circle. The water from our bucket bathing feeds the bananas, and only bio-degradable products are allowed to be used (soap, shampoo etc).
personally… i’m not ready to teach this way – i wonder if a nude teacher training will spawn from this….
NOTICE. We are the Official Administrative State Agency, for the Non-Indian Yoga Industry . We are an Independent Corporation, not Affiliated with any Geographical, Regional or National Yoga Schools or Corporation, Federaly Certified to conduct business in each state. We are providing assistance to each State Government, the Attorney General and the Department of Justice/ FBI . There are Federal Laws for the protection of Yoga, which includes International Laws Treaties and Bi-lateral Treaties.You have no protection under the Constituation of the United States, as Yoga is the Cultural Property of a Soverign Nation India. Get your clothes on or Criminal charges will be filed against each person. Yoga is sacred, holy sanctified and divine.. This is the only warning you will recieve.
HA! that’s pretty funny! YOGA POLICE!
plz remove such pictures as you are hurting religious as well as emotional sentiments!!!
we respect ur culture and we expect the same!!!!
Peace and Love from India!!
So I am thinking as a man in this moment with this reading in front of me… It makes me horny, loose and foul – and I want to become intimate with the naked woman in front of me… thank GOD for self discipline… accepting responsibility is the first step – next step, stop converting the culture to your standards of lust adn greed. Do so in your own rite and without using Yoga as a stepping stone for your access to lewd and misconduct based behavior