Naked yoga

Naked yoga is the practice of yoga without clothes. The practice is gaining popularity, notably in western societies that have more familiarity with social nudity. While many practice naked yoga at home, there are a growing number of participants, including children, in group classes. It is becoming popular in Europe and USA.^[1]

History

In the West since the 1960s, naked yoga practice has been incorporated in progressive settings for well-being, such as at the Esalen Institute in California, as depicted in the 1968 film Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Other films with notable segments include The Harrad Experiment and Naked Yoga (1974).

In New York City in 1998, an American going by the name Jayadev started a group called "Midnight Yoga for Men" where participants practiced "naked before the infinite" in the style of the sadhus. Aaron Star, owner of Hot Nude Yoga, began his version of nude yoga in April 2001 becoming an instant "underground sensation" as quoted by Time Out New York. Because of the success of Hot Nude Yoga, nude yoga groups began to blossom all over the world, from London, Moscow, Madrid to Sydney. Many of these male-only naked yoga groups have been associated with the gay community,^[2] though often not intentionally. One Taste Urban Retreat Center popularized naked yoga after it was reported in the San Francisco Chronicle.^[3]

Motivation

Many participants find it thrilling to go outside of society’s norms, greater freedom of movement due to the absence of clothing and the liberation from having to wear expensive yoga outfits are common motives to practise naked yoga.^[4]

Other motivations are the acceptance of one's own body with all its imperfections and to open one's heart.^[5] San Francisco courts found that naturist and libertarian George Monty Davis (aka "Naked Yoga Guy") did not commit a crime by practicing naked yoga in a public place,^[6] but rather a variant of public nudity.

See also

• Naturism
• Asana

References

Further reading

• Naked Yoga, by Yen Chu and George Monty Davis (1st printing had no ISBN).
• A Book of Yoga: The Body Temple, by Jo Ann Weinrib and David Weinrib, 1974, ISBN 0-8129-0494-X.
• Nude & Natural magazine, "Naked Yoga: A Sanctuary and Source of Strength", by Kevin Brett. Issue 25.3, Spring 2006.
• Shakti: The Feminine Power of Yoga (Hardcover) by Shiva Rea (Foreword), Victoria Davis, ISBN 0-9715581-1-6. Photographs of yoginis in the nude.

External links

• Be Naked Yoga Offering naked yoga retreats for men. Private beachfront location on quiet tropical island in Thailand.
• www.nakedyogasf.com
• The Boston Phoenix AU NATUREL Yoga buffs By Nina Willdorf, Issue Date: April 26 - May 3, 2001
• Yoga Journal December 2005 Peel It Off: For nude yoga practitioners, doing yoga in the altogether can be a liberating and respectful experience By Jaimal Yogis Includes comments by instructor Meredith Medland.
• Common Ground October 2005 Naked Yoga Revealed: SF’s Edgiest Yoga Class Wants to Liberate Your Bodysattva by Lisa Maria
• San Francisco Chronicle, 24 May 2005 Doing it in the altogether is what makes this yoga practice altogether free from distractions by Carolyne Zinko
• TashiTagg 27 May 2005 Naked Yoga: The Hard Truth by Luke Tagg
• San Francisco Chronicle, 22 September 2004 Au naturel is natural for Naked Yoga Guy by Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross
• China Daily 23 September 2004 Naked yoga OK in San Francisco
• Naturist UK Fact File page on yoga and naturism
• "Naked Yoga. Is it the Yogic Way?" Article by founder of popular naked yoga group in New York
• Striking a pose, stark naked by Charlotte Maitre
• Links to Naked Yoga groups worldwide
• Naked Yoga NYC Another well developed naked yoga practice, in NYC