FitSugar

Hot Naked Yoga

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:58:37 PDT

I've done hot, sweaty yoga before, and I'll admit that I've even done some yoga poses while naked in the shower, but combining the two and doing a Hot Nude Yoga class just seems, well, a bit too racy for this yogi. Call me prude, but I'm just not into sweating it out spread eagle in my birthday suit. Not to mention, I wear a sports bra for a reason, and I think seeing my jiggly parts as well as others would be a total distraction.

Apparently though for some, and it's mostly men, Naked Yoga classes are very popular. Some classes are co-ed, but most are male-only, and are common in gay communities. Studios that offer naked yoga can be found in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, LA, and Salt Lake City.

Why naked yoga? Unclothed yogis say it helps to deepen their yoga practice, encourages ultimate appreciation, acceptance, and love for their bodies, and also builds intimate bonds with the people in their yoga community. I can only imagine what kinds of "intimate bonds" they are creating. They say it's also fun and a great workout.

One thought that comes to mind though is how awkward it must be to move and sweat on my mat next to other naked folks. I think it'd make me more self-conscious about my body. And what about the sexual energy floating around the room? It'd be tough to concentrate on my breath if there was some hot naked guy in front of me (no offense to my hubby). Plus clothes not only cover up your business, but they're also practical - the fabric absorbs sweat to prevent slipping, and it protects your delicate skin from mat burn.

It's clear that naked yoga just isn't my cup of tea but tell me, would you be into a naked yoga class?

View 7 Photos ›

Why Naked Yoga?

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:30:48 PDT

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,

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 PDT

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.

View 4 Photos ›

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

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

Source

Cool or Not: Nude Yoga & Tai Chi DVD

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:30:00 PST

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 PST

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.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Is 2011 the Year of Naked Yoga?

Michele Foley — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:25:26 PST

Is 2011 the year that naked yoga went mainstream? - Blisstree
Treat yourself: a yoga paradise in Thailand - Mind Body Green
Now you can get a backside just like Pippa Middleton's - Newser
Have yourself a very veggie moo shu Christmas - Vegetarian Times
From eating to spending - how to not overdo it during the holidays - YourTango
Hurt yourself? How to take care of a sports-related injury - Real Simple

10 Yoga Poses to Help You Look Good Naked

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:52:38 PST

To relieve stress, lift your mood, increase your energy, and feel all-around happy, I recommend yoga. But that feeling of calm joy isn't the only thing you'll walk away from your mat with. The physical demands yoga places on your muscles also give you an amazing body - Jennifer Aniston is living proof. Focusing on strength rather than flexibility, these 10 yoga poses will help you sculpt long, lean muscles so you feel confident in your skin, even when baring it all.

How to Look Like a Celeb at Your Own Pregnancy Photo Shoot

Kate Stahl — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:33:50 PST

Jessica Simpson did it well. So did Demi, Britney, and Cindy, but could you pull off a naked pregnant photo shoot? Absolutely, as long as you follow the tips we scored from Chicago photographer Maria Ponce, who's turned shooting pregnant noncelebrities into a beautiful art form.

I was lucky enough to score a session with Maria during my pregnancy (that's me, seven months pregnant with my daughter, on the right). At first, I was skeptical about the idea. Did I really want to commemorate my pregnancy experience? I had gained almost 40 pounds, had pregnancy acne, and felt terrible - why would I want a permanent record of that? But Maria talked me through the shoot, and in the end, it ended up being one of the best experiences of my pregnancy. Seeing my big-bellied self through Maria's lens made me feel like one of those powerful, beautiful pregnant women - not like the schlumpy, yoga-pant wearing, miserable prego who could barely walk around the block without Braxton Hicks contractions forcing me home that I really was.

Now, a year after giving birth, I've (almost) forgotten about how huge and uncomfortable I felt, and I'm happily left with those superwoman photos, which are just inspiring enough to tempt me to do it all over again. I highly recommend a pregnancy photo shoot, and Maria has some great tips on how to make it a success. Keep reading to get the most of your pregnancy photo shoot, and get ready to bring out your inner, belly exalting Jessica Simpson in the (near) buff.

Source: Ponce Photography

Namaste in the Nude? Yoga Poses I'd Never Want to Do Naked

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:35:03 PDT

Naked yoga isn't for everyone - hanging out in your birthday suit is probably not something you normally do unless you're showering or gettin' busy. Call me traditional, but I'm a fan of workout clothes, for a few reasons. Aside from keeping your business covered up, fitness clothes prevent your parts from jiggling about, absorb sweat and wick moisture from your skin, and as a bonus, they also keep you warm.

There are plenty of awkward yet beneficial yoga poses, but in my opinion, doing them without clothes would counteract the serenity and sense of strength I'm hoping to achieve. Here are 10 poses I could never imagine doing in a room full of other naked yogis - the postures would be way too revealing for my comfort (I'm blushing just thinking about it).

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST