Though an intimidating concept for many people, naked yoga is slowly gaining a following at yoga centers. Classes started sprouting in late 2013, but the practice of naked yoga dates back to ancient times, according to the Harvard Theological Review.
Yoga instructors do get curious questions about how naked yoga is done next to many strangers, according to Rosie Rees, an instructor from Australia, but it can be an important confidence builder as it can help one appreciate their body better.
"I had a woman who said 'hell no, I'll never do this ever,' and because of that, she knew she had to do it," Rees said, according to Daily Mercury. "She was a young mother and her whole body had changed since having twins. She hated her body. She came to a place of really appreciating her stomach...for the function of bringing two babies into the world. She had a huge shift."
"The best part of teaching naked yoga is witnessing the transformations people undergo. First-timers are always scared to participate, and they worry about being judged, but after their first class, they describe it as the best, most open and most free experience of their lives," said Monika, another instructor, according to Huffington Post.
When a naked yoga camp in Austin hosted a yoga retreat, they were thrilled to welcome 150 yogis to the event, according to their website.
In New York, regular naked yoga classes offered have instructors who are very firm about people who come to classes to peep or to solicit sex. "Don't waste your time. The energy in the room is very clear and members who come to Bold & Naked Yoga are very focused on celebrating their bodies through yoga. We have no problem asking someone to leave if his or her behavior is inappropriate," read the guidelines on Bold & Naked Yoga's site.
There are also classes specifically for couples only, which helps improve intimacy in their relationship. "The class allows you to express to your partner what you're feeling and often partners don't say anything at all, they don't need to; it's non-verbal communication that occurs," said Rees, via Daily Mail.
"It's for anyone who wants to build a stronger bond," she added.
A photo posted by Sasha Jacobsen (@sashprime) on Sep 27, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT
I had 21 beautiful souls join me in my first #Melbourne Women's Nude Yoga class last night and WOW!! What a transformational journey. There was laughter, tears, chanting, movement, stretching and such vulnerable sharing. We created such a strong bond between the sisters in the space and took a journey into the realms of femininity, sexuality, SHAKTI, self acceptance and self love. #NUDEYOGA #nuderevolution #nudeyogawithrosie #shakti #Melbourneyoga #yoga A photo posted by • Rosie Rees • (@rosie.rees) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:00pm PDT
A photo posted by • Rosie Rees • (@rosie.rees) on Oct 2, 2015 at 3:16pm PDT
#nofilter #noedit #raw My friend Renny @renny_sito asked me to #stopdropandyoga - I hope Michelle @_nahaga_ will #strikeapose for me #yoga A photo posted by ᎪᏁᎠᎽ आन्द्य थ बुल्ल् (@bareyoga) on Sep 25, 2015 at 4:59pm PDT
