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Why Naked Yoga?

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:30:48 -0700

Honoring your body is an aspect of practicing yoga, and it's a powerful thing to connect your breath with your body's movements. Once you're in the groove, you feel strong, alive, and content. Some yoga devotees take this to a whole new level by practicing their asana completely free of clothes.

To find out why folks prefer to practice yoga in the buff, read more.

Practitioners of naked yoga explain the lack of clothes frees them from negative feelings about their bodies and allows them to be more accepting of their physical imperfections, like stretch marks, love handles, or cellulite. Others are nudists to begin with and feel more natural in their birthday suit, so practicing naked yoga seems more natural. Whatever the reason to strip and stretch, teachers and practitioners of naked yoga feel it's a way to find a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you. Plus, if you're naked, you don't have to worry about your gals falling out of your top in Down Dog, or wedgies from your underwear. Many classes are geared solely toward men or women, but co-ed classes are also offered. I like my yoga clothed, but to each her own.

Does this sound like something you'd want to try?

Naked Yoga: Expose Your Asana

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

I love practicing yoga alone or in a class, with friends or strangers, indoors or outside on the grass, but I'm not so sure I'd ever strike a pose without my clothes. Naked Yoga classes aren't anything new, but lately they're becoming more acceptable.

I'm sure you all have your visions of what goes on in a Naked Yoga class, that it's one big group orgy. Just because people are naked in a room together doesn't mean that the focus has to be on sex. Believe it or not, there are many non-sexual reasons people choose to practice without their capris and halters on. Some veteran yogis are looking for a new and different experience, while others are trying to overcome weight or body image issues. Some appreciate the clarity of seeing the instructor's body, and some just like Naked Yoga because it's "taboo." Others feel that being naked is very spiritual and healing, and the physical shedding of their clothes allows them to emotionally shed negativity and judgments.

Fit's Tips: If Naked Yoga appeals to you, get info about the class ahead of time. While most classes aren't about sex, there are definitely some Naked Yoga classes offered that may be on the touchy-feely side. So if you're looking to have a spiritual experience and definitely not a sensual one, it's best to find out before you show up.

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If you're interested in finding a studio that offers Naked Yoga classes read more.

These studios offer classes that are either all male, or all female, or co-ed.

New York: Naked Yoga NYC
Florida: Naked Yoga Miami
Texas: Austin Naked Yoga

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Cool or Not: Nude Yoga & Tai Chi DVD

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:30:00 -0800

I was perusing the fitness videos in Barnes & Noble and I came across this - Nude Yoga & Tai Chi. Hmmm . . . I know there's Naked Yoga classes out there, where yogis practice their asana nude because they think it is more natural and emotionally and physically freeing. So the response in the past from you all to the naked yoga was fairly negative. So I am thinking you'd probably be a little reluctant to attend a live nude class, but what about going naked with a video?

Taking Risks Can Be Healthy

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:30:00 -0800

I am all for taking risks - safe risks - of course. They help us grow emotionally and intellectually. When you break out of your comfort zone and work your edge, it builds self-confidence which helps us become happier, well-adjusted, flexible people. I truly believe this no matter how corny it sounds.

Some people choose to try new things like ice climbing or white-water rafting. Some people get up and sing at "open mic nite." Some people would rather try out a Naked Yoga class or learn to surf.

All that said, this risk might be a little over the top for me (this is one brave girl). But it might be just the thing to knock you right out of your comfort zone...

Fit's Tips: If you're interested in something like this, check out this ride.

Naked Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:35:00 -0800

Conjures up an interesting picture in your mind, doesn't it? I saw a sign for it at a clothing optional hot springs and I thought it was a joke. Nope - it is for real.

Naked Yoga is principled on good things - accepting, loving and celebrating the body in all its glory no matter what shape, size or flexibility. I am assuming the folks into the Naked Yoga movement are already yoginis. Thank god there are no mirrors in the studios.

I am all about loving yourself and accepting whom you are, but I am not quite sure this is the path for me to find self-love.

Here's how I was able to spin the Naked Yoga concept so it might seem plausible - you won't have to worry about picking out a wedgie or if your boobs are coming out of your top in downward facing dog, because they already are.

Obviously, doing yoga with no clothes isn't for everyone. If it piques your interest, you can check out this book - "Go Naked Yoga".

I know you'll have a LOT to say about this one. Come and tell me what you think about Naked Yoga in FitSugar's Group called Yoga Stretch and Tell.

Fit's Tips: If this is something you may be interested in, find out if there is a Naked Yoga class near you. You might want to ease into it with an all women's class, and then you can move on to a coed class. Check out this one: One Taste Urban Retreat Center in San Francisco offers a weekly Naked Yoga class on Sundays. After the class, they gather together (clothed) and discuss their experience. Don't forget to take your own mat.

Want to see some more photos? Then read more

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Naked Yoga

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:20:26 -0700

Here are some photos from Naked Yoga NYC. Very beautiful and tasteful in my opinion.

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Alicia Silverstone Talks Eating Vegan and Gardening Naked

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:30:05 -0700

Alicia Silverstone knows that eating well can help the planet, which is one reason she decided to swear off meat and dairy and adopt a vegan lifestyle. But it's not all selfless: she also appreciates how her improved diet makes her look younger and glowing.

In a new interview with Health, the Clueless star talks about her eating philosophy, her line of cruelty-free beauty products, and her book The Kind Diet, coming out in October. Here are highlights:

On why she wrote the book: "Once you're informed, then you can be really gentle and kind to yourself, by giving yourself all the gifts life has to offer - like mental clarity and vitality - all while making the planet better."
On why she went vegan: "I didn't come at it, honestly, from a health point of view. I was 21 when I went vegan. And when anybody told me to be healthy, I thought people were just telling me [to lose weight] because I'm in this business. So I was like, 'Go F yourself!' [Laughs.] Yet when I look at those pictures from back then, I can see the puffiness in my eyes. It's weird to be 32 now and feel and look younger. . . . Right after I first made the switch to a plant-based diet, people were literally telling me, 'What have you done? You’re sparkling.'"

To read more highlights - including what Silverstone has to say about being naked in her backyard - read more.

On reports that she likes to garden naked: "It's true. It probably started when I was doing my garden the first time. I'd be out there, and it would be scorching hot, so I would take off all of my clothes and garden. And then I would jump in the pool and swim - and I always get in the pool naked, because why would you want to put on a bathing suit? . . . I don't want anybody to take a picture of me naked. But in my own home, in my garden, [nudity]'s OK."
On losing weight: "Diet first, exercise second. Exercise is fantastic, and when I need to be a certain way quickly, I amp up my exercise by walking the dogs and doing yoga."

What do you think about Silvertone's perspective? Are you interested in buying her book? If you've ever tried a vegan diet, tell me what you thought about how it affected your overall health below.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:50:01 -0700

Alicia Silverstone helps the planet by gardening naked.
You can satisfy your sweet tooth with snacks under 200 calories.
Tell me, what kind of stomach do you have?
Is diet soda healthier than regular? Read and learn.
Check out my September must haves. They'll help you stay fit as the seasons change.
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Tone your shoulders with these simple moves.
Can you name the yoga pose?

Nike Naked Running Camp?

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I've heard of naked yoga and naked biking, but running in the buff? Now that's something new. Check out Nike's latest commercial below to learn all about "natural" running.

All I can think about is how those poor ladies' boobs must be hurting without any support! I have to say though, this commercial has definitely piqued my interest for the latest Nike Free 5.0 running sneaker. I'm all for this lightweight and flexible shoe that supposedly imitates barefoot movement, but I think I'll stick to wearing clothes on my runs.

Yoga for Your Face...Seriously

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I showed you all that Naked Yoga does really exist, and now I bring you a new trend - Yoga for the Face. It goes by many names: Revita-Yoga (NYC), Happy Face yoga facial toning (Atlanta), and the Yoga Face Lift (Northern CA).

Muscle tension in the face contributes to lines and wrinkles while sagging jowls are caused by weak muscles. Face toning regimens have appeared for years in ladies magazines, and now that yoga is really taking off this is the latest trend to ride its coat tails.

Here are some of the exercises:

Crow's Feet: Open the eyes wide, as if startled or scared to decrease unwanted lines around the eyes.
Wide Nose: Alternate nostril breathing to create a more narrow and symmetrical nose.
Plumper Lips: Tap lips 5 times with your index finger.

While I agree we all hold unnoticed tension in our faces and relaxing the face can help decrease tension that causes headaches and neck pain, I am not sure that this is the panacea for an aging face. Let's face it (sorry for the pun) aging happens. Making a more flexible face seems like a better alternative to paralyzing it with Botox and way less of an invasion than plastic surgery. Yet, I don't think yoga for the face will be keeping anyone looking younger. I do think it will definitely make folks feel younger since making all those faces will certainly make you feel goofy and childlike. So go ahead, stick out your tongue then pucker your lips. Chances are you will end up smiling like my 2 year old after she blows a raspberry.

Want to see some more "poses"? Then read more

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