In Namaste, Nudey: Naked Yoga and the Nether Regions, Amanda Coggin talks about her first experience in a nude yoga class.Though not a nudist, she explains that she’s comfortable with nudity and frequents hot springs and nude beaches.
“At first, it was awkward, and I don’t usually mind being naked. Then I found that I was more inwardly focused than any other yoga class I have ever taken, and I liked it.” I smiled at my friend, and then I smiled at one of the old guys, and I learned that by dropping my judgment about what we should or shouldn’t look like, and by focusing on myself, I was able to transform being nude into the importance of being transparent—and I liked it.
At the beginning of the class she found herself judging the others by their appearance but then realized that instead of focusing on that, she should be focusing on the yoga and connecting with her inner self. Once she shifted her focus, it turned out that she was more in touch with her practice than ever before.
I liked her comment about transforming being nude into being transparent. Here I see transparency as meaning that nudity shouldn’t really be a factor. The important thing is to be in the moment and enjoy the activity you’re doing whether it’s yoga, swimming, volleyball, reading a good book, or whatever it is you do.
When I visit nude venues this spring and summer, I’ll likely bring my yoga mat with me and get in some “gymno-yoga” practice. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to practice Sun Salutations than by letting the sun caress all of me as I move through the asanas.
This is all good stuff and makes sense, but I’m still stuck on the idea that someone who frequents nude hot springs and beaches, and socializes in the nude but still doesn’t consider herself a nudist. Hmm.
Wouldn’t this be kind of like someone who eats meat, grills out and hunts for food insisting that they’re a vegatarian?
Meethinks that the lady is in denial and needs to meditate on that subject a little more…
Maybe she is in denial about being a nudist. She probably sees being naked as a recreational rather than a lifestyle choice. Whatever she calls herself, I’m okay with it. Lately I’ve been referring to myself as a Gymno-American. It has a nice ring to it.
As to the denial issue.
I have known quite a few people who went to nude beaches hotsprings etc. didn’t consider themselves nudists. I think this isn’t uncommon from what I have seen. These folks see themselves as regular folks who just happen to frequent a clothing optional locations once in a while. I just see it as there remains a stigma attached to the word nudist.
I agree. For some going to a nude beach or hot spring is simply another recreational or vacation choice. They’re comfortable with nudity but they may not buy into all the nudist/naturist philosophy and lifestyle stuff and probably don’t join nudist organizations. That’s fine by me. The important thing is that they’re comfortable in their own skin and have healthy attitudes about nudity.
There probably still is some stigma attached to the the nudist label. I guess we need to do better PR.
Woouuldn’t it be nice if everyone had that viewpoint. I could sure handle a little stigma in exchange for a little acceptance!