being naked is only offensive to prudes ... and yogis don't wear a lot of clothing so don't use that as a standard ... usa versions do, but we're a pretty uptight community anyways. in other countries, topless and nude is no big deal - see their TV ads, shows ... beaches, pools? ... public spas ... if everyone is expecting the same mode of dress, no one is offended or overly distracted. As for personal meditation - how do you handle a good looking participant now in clothing? Look first, then ignore for rest of class? same for this class. If you're not expecting the mode of dress, you wouldn't sign up or participate, so no shocks here. Catch-22. And they'd need releases from everyone in photos before publishing, so everyone was OK with this article's content. It's not for everyone and you'd have to give up your own body image hang-ups and mental restrictions (as well as clothing) but most people who participate in naturist lifestyle usually end up loving it, for the freedom of mind as well as body. Naturists are least judgemental of any group of people you will ever meet. And you probably already know some now, though they don't always declare themselves because of society's hang-ups on body image and clothing restrictions. We're not flashing children here - and they tend to be more liberated than most of their own parents, too.
I don't think celebrating our beauty&bodies means being butt naked (&sticking it to ppls faces in public). The way I understand yoga and realization that's supposed to come from it, doing a spiritual practice naked is more offensive than liberating. I am first to admit naked body is distracting, not helping to go 'within'. Being liberated is an inner state, no need for extreme outwardly expressions. I wonder who came up with it, sure wasn't Indian yogis.
my old boss did this in a male-only class ... but it is very sanitary - since you're exposing, you make SURE it is all clean - you do shower and clean up, don't you, on a regular basis? ... you are only on your own mat AND towel ... that's just proper etiquette ... it's not for everyone but probably everyone here has already seen the kourdashian episode with the naked yoga instructor ... properly blurred for those with easy sensitivity issues ... after 15 min, you are not that overly conscious of being without clothes ... after a few sessions, it's no big deal, except you look forward to it. Put it in your bucket list of things to do once in your life - you might like it and get the benefits from the yoga in the first place!
umm that's brave that those ppl gave permission to have their pictures posted online... but definitely not my style unless I'm in my apartment alone :)
Seems like it would be fun to do at home with my significant other, but not something I would sign up to do with complete strangers. Just too awkward for me.
That's awesome. I do it at home but have not heard of any groups around here that do that. The human body is fantastic and I wish more people would not be grossed out by it. Oh well, I am happy in my skin.
I went to one of these and there was one male in the a group of 20 females such as myself, the problem!?, he was a very tall, atheleticly built black man that was, how should I say, incredibly gifted in one aera...beyond belief to be exact! Needless to say, the group quickly grew in size and we had to move to a bigger room to allow for more women LOL! so it wasnt a bad experience but a rather great one for the eye. He stopped attending after about the 10th session and the female numbers dropped not long after.
lol, spacebear!! You're so right!! I don't think I'm really up to that, which makes me feel like some up-tight chick who's not open to new things, but eh, remind me in about 20 years, maybe the yoga will have changed me X3
Naked Yoga Photos
Here are some photos taken during a Naked Yoga class. And yes - this IS for real.
Yoga Stretch and Tell Group