I found a reference in the Nude Yoga group at Nudist Clubhouse to an article, Nude Yoga Exposed, by Anmol Mehta.
Nude yoga, in its true sense, is a very legitimate and effective yoga practice and let me tell you something, it’s real purpose has very little to do with sex and eroticism.
Anmol Mehta
Among the benefits of nude yoga listed are:
- Body Awareness: Nude yoga promotes greater awareness of the body and a greater sense of freedom when practicing yoga asanas. Seeing and feeling the body as you stretch and move from one posture to the next, inspires more mindful practice. The nakedness also removes any sense of restriction that clothing subtly promotes and thus, a greater sense of freedom can be experienced when doing the yoga poses.
- Psychological Freedom: Nude yoga can promote a greater sense of physical freedom, but the real freedom is freedom from inhibitions, the opinions of others and any sense of shame about their body. Initially, a naked yogi will certainly feel the judgmental eyes and opinions of others, but in time these concerns evaporate and a care free attitude emerges. Nude yoga is about cultivating this level of psychological freedom.
- Detachment from the Body: Even though yoga, nude or otherwise, helps create a vibrant, energetic and powerful body, the objective though is actually detachment from the body.
There is a tradition of nude yoga in India, most notably by the Naga Sadhus, though most of us probably wouldn’t take it to that extreme. Still, if practiced in the spirit of a traditional yoga practice, I think nude yoga can be beneficial and add to your practice.
- Related articles:
- Nude Yoga Exposed by Anmol Mehta
- Nude Yoga (MojoNude Blog)
- Nude Yoga, A Naturist Viewpoint (MojoNude Blog)
- If You Could Do It Naked, Would You? (MojoNude Blog)
Thank you for the link to the article. I would go one step further than Mr. Mehta. Naked yoga should be the only hatha yoga. Yogis are supposed to believe that Moksha (liberation) is the eventual goal. How does covering your body help liberate you?
There is a reason why only two of Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Ashtanga yoga concern the physical body. It’s not who you are. The body is an important tool. But, it’s still just a tool. It’s a means to an end.
It should be just you on that mat. Naked soul. Naked body.
Interesting article. I don’t see this as having a broad base of appeal though given the current gymnophobia we have in society. I think that within a very small segment of society it would have an appeal but that segment is so small it is hard to see it having any great effect on changing over all attitudes. Though like any journey it all begins with a single step.
Nude yoga’s appeal is very limited, even among naturists. It’s gaining popularity in some metropolitan areas although I’m not sure it always keeps to the intent of either yoga or naturism. There are nudist venues who have yoga classes and I know of naturists who teach nude classes.
I’m a recent devotee to yoga so the idea of practicing yoga in the nude seems like a natural nudist activity. I often do my home practice in the nude and it’s different than doing it clothed. I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in a nude yoga class but I’d certainly give it a go.