Namaste nude – yes, this really is an option for yogis. Yoga devotees and newbies alike can discover downward-facing dog, child’s pose and warrior I pose in the buff at yoga studios, boutique hotels and country retreats across the United States.
An increasing number of yoga studios in cities large and small across the U.S. are offering the chance for participants to pose, breathe, meditate and relax in the nude. In addition to checking out these seven studios – one for each day of the week – organizations like Naked Yoga Alliance, The Naturist Society and Young Naturists of America often post additional opportunities to practice naked yoga.
There are many benefits to doing naked yoga, from the practical to the liberating. In a non-sexual way, yoga enthusiasts are provided a comfortable and safe sanctuary to perfect poses and enhance connection.
Caliente Resort & Spa, Land O’ Lakes, Florida
Clothing-optional Caliente Resort & Spa in Land O’ Lakes, Florida offers an assortment of clothing optional fitness classes to room guests, club members and local patrons (non-members and guests pay $10 per class). Caliente Resort & Spa offers a variety of fitness classes from Pilates to Zumba to daily yoga classes. There is Beginners’ Yoga, Gentle Yoga and a more intermediate Hatha Yoga led by certified instructors. People who participate are not judged on what they wear or don’t wear; however, they are encouraged to have proper form and class pose modifications are always shown to suit individual levels.
BOLD & NAKED YOGA, New York, New York
BOLD & NAKED YOGA is a New York City studio that offers co-ed, men-only and women-only classes. The style is an athletic vinyasa flow class. “BOLD & NAKED YOGA is the perfect mix of athletic, strong flow yoga, real life spirituality and soul connection. Our flows are exciting adventures and an entertaining journey through the body and mind,” states the studio. The co-ed class is offered every other Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. The men’s classes are on hiatus during August but are generally offered a couple of times a week, and the women’s classes are offered as special events once a month.
Windy City Naked Yoga, Chicago, Illinois
Coordinated through a Meetup group, Windy City Naked Yoga in Chicago offers all levels of men-only and co-ed yoga classes, from beginner to advanced. Classes are held twice a week on Saturday mornings and Monday nights. All classes are taught by certified yoga instructors. The classes are a communal practice, rich in the teachings of asana, breath work and mindfulness.
Las Vegas Naked Yoga, Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas Naked Yoga hosts regularly scheduled co-ed and men’s classes all over Las Vegas, including at instructors’ home studios and summer classes at Blue Moon Resort, a gay friendly hotel. August classes include men’s naked tantra, a 75-minute class that includes the option to soak in the hot tub before class to loosen muscles. Participants should bring a towel, bottled water and a yoga mat. Participants are asked to give a $15 to $20 donation for each class.
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Naked Yoga-LA, Los Angeles, California
Naked Yoga-LA offers all levels of co-ed Vinyasa Flow classes with options for more advanced poses. Classes are offered Thursday evenings at 8:30 p.m. and Friday mornings at 11 a.m. in Venice, Calif., nearly 20 miles from Los Angeles. Naked Yoga-LA is looking to expand into workshops, video tutorials, Yin/Yang classes, restorative classes and potentially adding male-only and female-only classes.
Austin Naked Yoga, Austin, Texas
Austin Naked Yoga hosts an annual spring yoga retreat at Lotus Ranch, a 40-acre event and retreat facility in Wimberley, Texas. The four-day camping trip includes daily yoga in a variety of disciplines, workshops, classes, meals and games. Yogis celebrate spring with yoga, dance and drum circles.
Naked Yoga for Men, San Francisco, California
Naked Yoga for Men in San Francisco hosts Hatha Flow classes for men only as well as a naked Qi Gong / Tao Yoga class once a week, also for men only. “There are very few venues where men can come together and connect spiritually, mentally and physically in the absence of sexual tension,” said Naked Yoga for Men instructor Tim J Luddy. The playful and fun yoga classes for all levels help participants experience non-sexual male intimacy. Teachers Luddy and Ken Breniman are also leading the Naked Yoga for Men Summer Retreat in Hawaii August 13-19, 2015. Participants can deepen their yoga practice with two to three yoga sessions each day along with relaxing amenities like the pool, sauna, hot tub and local black sand beach that are all clothing-optional.
(Main Image: Naked Yoga for Men)
