Say you’ve been doing yoga for a long time. Say you’ve tried various styles — Bikram yoga, Hatha yoga, Vinyasa flow — and you’ve even been to a retreat or two. Perhaps you’re looking for the next level to embark upon in your yoga adventures. Depending on how adventurous you are, and what type of adventure you’re looking for, one option may be naked yoga.
If you live in or near a large city, you may have heard of the rising popularity of naked yoga classes in the West. Doing yoga naked is nothing new — people have been completing nude asanas since ancient times — but in the Western world, it’s still viewed with varying degrees of shock. If you’re not easily embarrassed and think this may be something you’d like to try, read on to discover five benefits of naked yoga.
You can see your body clearly
Without clothes on, you will obviously be able to more clearly see how your body looks in certain poses. This can allow you to see where you need to adjust, and what muscles look tight and need to be relaxed or stabilized. Doing naked yoga in front of a mirror (preferably full-length) can provide you an even closer look, in order to perfect your poses.
It can help build confidence
You have to be pretty confident to begin with to get naked in a room full of other naked people, I would think. However, doing this may also go far in helping people who have confidence issues. Diving headfirst into your insecurities is a great way to face them, and overcome them — if you’ve got the nerve.
It can help you escape your comfort zone
Standing naked in a room full of other naked people is definitely outside of many people’s comfort zone. As Rosie Rees, a naked yoga instructor in Perth, Australia, explains:
“It’s not about doing the downward dog naked… it’s about self-acceptance, stepping out of the comfort zone and cultivating courage. I’d say it’s a catalyst. Nude yoga is such a courageous thing to do but when these women leave my classes, they feel comfortable in their own skin. A lot of women come back saying they had the best sleep, they feel very energized and others said they have the best sex because they are connecting to their bodies.”
It’s an exercise in vulnerability
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you may tap into an inner strength you did not know you had. Naked yoga could be one vehicle to access and explore your vulnerability.
It can help you fall in love with your body
Many people have varying degrees of insecurity about their bodies. Throwing caution to the wind, shedding your clothes, and allowing your body to execute graceful yoga poses in the buff is one way to see up close and personal the beauty of your individual physical self. Not convinced? Check out this slightly NSFW photo series.
Where to do naked yoga:
- Find a naked yoga class in your area. Read reviews online if they are available, visit the class, and talk to the instructor about your questions and concerns before you sign up, to make sure it’s the right class for you.
- Get a group of your yoga enthusiast friends together, and have naked yoga sessions at someone’s house. If everything is comfortable and open to the idea, it could be an empowering experience.
- You could, of course, do naked yoga on your own at home. Simply find a private place, and shed your clothes before you start your asanas. See if you enjoy it!
Have you ever done naked yoga? If so, would you recommend it, and why?
— Meditation Daily
