Nude Yoga – the new fitness trend from the USA Yoga is becoming increasingly popular. Many people practice this sport regularly to become fitter, more flexible, and more relaxed. Hatha Yoga is one of the most well-known types of yoga, but there are now other forms of yoga that are gaining increasing numbers of followers. Nude Yoga is the latest trend from the USA. This form of yoga may sound a bit strange at first, but it is said to provide a completely new body image. Nude Yoga, also known as Naked Yoga, is the latest fitness trend from the United States. What is regularly practiced by many yoga practitioners in the USA is surprising here. For nudists, the so-called "followers of nudism," nude yoga seems to be nothing special. Relaxing naked on the beach, playing golf, or jogging naked is by no means unusual for practicing nudists. Nevertheless, the idea of practicing yoga in the “Adam’s costume” takes some getting used to for most people.
Nude Yoga – a sport for nudists and everyone
Even if nude yoga seems a bit strange at first glance, this form of yoga has gained many followers, not only in the USA. Newcomers are initially skeptical about this yoga trend because they see their classmates completely naked. Nude yoga is by no means about a sexual experience, although eroticism certainly plays a subordinate role. For this reason, both beginners and advanced practitioners initially feel uncomfortable. After all, working out naked is by no means an everyday occurrence for most people. Even if we lie naked on a nude beach or visit a sauna, the sense of shame is greater with nude yoga. This may be because sauna users and nudists move more modestly. When nudists stretch out all their limbs, this is viewed by others as shameless. However, nude yoga participants must overcome their sense of shame because they not only contort their bodies but also spread their arms and legs.
Between sport and shame
Nude yoga is unusual, even for those who regularly practice nudism. Complicated asanas and longer sequences of movements ( such as the sun salutation ) performed with legs spread pose a major problem. When performing the " warrior pose ," " dog pose ," and " headstand ," participants quickly blush with shame. The fact that many participants are initially unable to concentrate on their exercises and can concentrate exclusively on their naked bodies is completely normal and even acceptable. Once participants practice nude yoga regularly, their sense of shame also diminishes.
Physical & mental freedom
Whether fat or thin, tall or short – appearance doesn't matter in nude yoga. Quite the opposite. Those who train naked frequently can develop a better body awareness and overcome inhibitions. For this reason, nude yoga is a form of "psychotherapy" because participants learn to accept their body's weak points. Many yoga practitioners even report feeling more comfortable in their bodies since practicing nude yoga. Even if their body may not correspond to their ideal image, after many yoga classes they accept themselves as they are. They develop greater self-confidence, which is noticeable not only in the yoga room but also in everyday life. This form of yoga was invented by the American personal trainer Aaron Star, who started the first nude yoga classes in New York. Since then, the new fitness trend has been offered in other US cities, particularly in San Francisco. In Germany, nude yoga is still in its infancy, but the form of yoga has gained a number of followers in recent years.
Conclusion
Even though practicing yoga poses naked is known as a new fitness trend, nude yoga is still considered "uncharted territory" in this country, waiting to be discovered. While this form of yoga seems to boost self-confidence enormously, many people struggle to overcome their shame when faced with naked class participants. Whether this fitness trend will catch on not only in the US but also in Germany remains to be seen. Image © yuyu2000
