Because how much can you know about yourself if you don’t know yourself naked in triangle pose, are we right? New Yorkers Joschi Schwarz and Monika Werner want us all to realize our naked truths and know who we truly are. They can’t understand why nudity is still taboo and people won’t accept our natural, birthday-suited state as socially acceptable, so they created a yoga studio where dropping trou is as welcome as rising shakti and where men and women can come to finally free themselves from the oppressions of stress and clothing. It’s called Bold & Naked and they’re not shy about being either.
“By shedding their clothes and practicing Yoga in the nude, students literally drop the masks and labels they hide behind all day,” the Bold & Naked website declares.
Besides all that, it really is the answer to all of our see-through, too expensive, not enough sizes for everyone yoga pants problems. Just don’t wear any! You may need to pick up a few pairs of protective eyewear though.
Naked yoga is not new and it’s definitely not new in New York City. In fact, Joschi Schwarz has been leading all-male naked yoga classes via Le Male Yoga in Chelsea for a while now, but the demand from students was what motivated him to transform the space into NYC’s first official coed nude yoga studio offering classes for both men and women, nude and clothed, plus naked yoga private sessions, life coaching, “Tantric Yogassage” and teacher trainings.
The all-female nude classes, Joschi Schwarz told DNAinfo, will involve “a little more in emotional psychologies, to really help women to feel good about themselves.” Their MO is actually very much about peeling away the layers, literally, to reveal yourself, the raw and brave person that you are.
Via their website:
Bold & Naked is not about being naked for naked’s sake, even though that’s perfectly fine. It is about being comfortable in your own skin and the amazing confidence that comes with it.
…Being completely at ease in your naked body is the ultimate expression of self-confidence. If you are okay with being naked you’ll feel more comfortable in general and can take yourself anywhere in the world. That’s very powerful.
Part of yoga is to honor and connect with your body. Practicing yoga naked frees you from negative feelings about your body and allows you to be more accepting of your physical imperfections. You will find a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
Break out of the fear zone. People who feel good naked approach life with boldness.
While we don’t necessarily agree that nakedness and boldness are mutually exclusive, and we can foresee a few problems with dangly bits, slipperiness and keeping things clean (hello, mat clean up?) we’re glad there’s now a place where people wishing to be in bare-skin bakasana are welcomed to do it if that’s what turns them on.
But don’t get it wrong. This isn’t about going nude to get your orgy on. “If you are looking for an orgasm, you are in the wrong place,” the Bold & Naked website says. Though something tells us no one would look at you funny if you spontaneously had one.
And no, there is no bar, and you will not receive happy hour specials. What do you think this is, Brooklyn?
Also, not that anyone deserves this, but if you like, you can check out Fox News’s attempt at humor in taking on Naked Yoga in a most smug and obnoxious way we’ve only come to expect from the ignorant and intolerant network that would resort to Kim Kardashian as a relevant talking point in the conversation. We’re not even Nude Yoga fans, but after watching this video we can’t help but cheer on the naked butt-asanas.
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Earlier…
I wish John Friend the best of luck on his new venture.
Yeah, and they have a ‘selection’ process and only take people who are “fit, toned, and who take care of themselves”.
Sheesh…. So it only “frees you from negative feelings about your body, and allows you to be more accepting of your physical imperfections” if you don’t HAVE any!! Argh!
This is the first I’ve heard of naked yoga. I’ve recently taken an interest in yoga for fitness, but I never would have thought to get naked while doing it…
Had someone suggested doing naked yoga to me, I would have laughed. Reading this article I can actually see the point of expression of self-confidence. It’s a very interesting concept.
Erick
I’m trying to get buff
Naturist resorts, which are clothing optional, usually have Yoga sessions for guests, and so give them the chance to do their Yoga practice nude. For example, during the Naturist weeks, Paya Bay Resort on the island of Roatan, Honduras, has a professional clothed instructor for a mix of clothed and nude guests. And the platform is the fabulous Ananda Movement Center, seven stories above the sea level, facing west into the setting sun for the evening session- magic!