Home Exercise 101 Sound Off: Naked Yoga – Would You Do It?

Sound Off: Naked Yoga – Would You Do It?

by Erika Nicole Kendall

I can tell you, straight off the gate: hell naw.

If you were offended by the transparency of the yoga pants Lululemon recalled last March, stay away from Bold & Naked, the first coed naked yoga studio in New York City.

Owners Joschi Schwarz and Monika Werner believe that naked yoga allows participants to find a deeper connection with the world around them. When the popularity of Schwarz’s all-male naked yoga classes in Le Male Yoga in Chelsea rose, he opened Bold & Naked with Werner.

The studio offers various combinations of clothed, naked, same sex, and coed classes. And regarding the naked sessions and Tantric Yogassage offered: “If you are looking for an orgasm, you are in the wrong place,” the Bold & Naked website states.

“By shedding their clothes and practicing yoga in the nude, students literally drop the masks and labels they hide behind all day,” the website says. “Practicing yoga naked frees you from negative feelings about your body and allows you to be more accepting of your physical imperfections.”

When I think of everything that happens in a yoga class – sweating, sharing of props, body odor – I just… my stomach starts doing backflips. When I think of all the security and safety issues that this could present, the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Nude yoga in the privacy of your own home is one thing – classes? I’m struggling.

nude-yoga

But, at the same time, I’m alright with questioning myself – am I just being a prude? Is it really not that big of a deal?

Sound off, family — could you do it? Could you commit to a regular nude yoga class?

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19 comments

marie January 27, 2014 - 2:19 PM

No way.
I don’t believe so much in that to help you find a “deeper connection” with yourself. You can do that with your clothes on. And even in clothes it’s already difficult so why adding additional discomfort? I don’t want to see other people naked. I’m not that open minded sorry.

LR January 28, 2014 - 2:09 AM

Nope. Hygiene.

Unix January 28, 2014 - 1:15 PM

My pudenda were designed by God to be out of sight when in most if not all socially accepted situations. The positioning on my body has it all hidden and tucked away. As for the breasts and buttocks… there is a sanctity that should not be breeched in those becoming publically accessible.

I am a Christian and believe I should not be swayed by every ebbing social or cultural tide. I am not a fan of yoga for the original spirituality it ascribes to. A rose/ viper by any other name is still a rose/viper. So any which way you cut it, repackaged/renamed yoga is still worship of a deity not my own.So to then add nudity… oh hell no!

Erika Nicole Kendall January 28, 2014 - 5:10 PM

“I am a Christian and believe I should not be swayed by every ebbing social or cultural tide. I am not a fan of yoga for the original spirituality it ascribes to.”

…that’s great.

For the rest of us, how do you feel about naked yoga? I’ve actually even read a few blog posts from people who’ve tried it and loved the way it made them feel…at home. ROFL

Toya January 29, 2014 - 6:35 PM

“I am a Christian and believe I should not be swayed by every ebbing social or cultural tide. I am not a fan of yoga for the original spirituality it ascribes to.”

I don’t believe this post asked about anyone’s religious background. So I am confused on why you would post something like that. Not everyone worships the same Deity or any Deity.

I always felt yoga brings sense of oneness and peace. If you choose to add a Deity that is on you.

Would I personally try make yoga, in the comfort of my own home. For me that is too much exposure for my taste. But for those who done this in class and still took away being one with themselves great and good for them.

HedoFree September 7, 2014 - 1:45 PM

Actually your body made by God to be free in the garden. It was man that messed up and told you your nakedness was bad. But thats just in the Bible tho…

Klole January 28, 2014 - 10:01 PM

I took a yoga class where the lights were off. If that’s the case for this class then I would consider it.

Erika Nicole Kendall January 29, 2014 - 12:31 AM

THIS sounds interesting! Lights off? Hmm…

Annette January 28, 2014 - 10:39 PM

First of all it’s unsanitary unless I bring my own mat. Also I don’t feel comfortable having my girls bouncing around. Given some of the moves in yoga is it about yoga or is it about putting on a show.

What does doing yoga naked have to do with the benefits of doing yoga period? Just feel it’s marketing and a distraction.

Debbi January 29, 2014 - 8:31 AM

HELL NO! Sorry this is not me (or you) being prudish, it’s just like you said, the sweating and sharing of props and the weird and sometimes “open” stances and positions of yoga does not go hand in hand with nudity. I think that it’s one step too far! Some things need to stay exactly as they were intended when they were invented. Yoga especially! Good grief! What next?

Tamika January 30, 2014 - 1:04 AM

No, I wouldn’t do naked yoga. It’s disgusting that random strangers’ bodily fluids would be on the public yoga mats. Public yoga mats are gross enough. And I really don’t want to see everyone and their mama naked and, er, ‘open’ in yoga positions!

Aja February 1, 2014 - 6:41 PM

Hell. To the. No. Just call me Prudie. I just had a horrible hypothetical image flash across my mind of my yoga class butt naked in baby pose and I’m already scarred for life.

R March 16, 2014 - 1:19 AM

I might do naked yoga if it was all women, and a lot of space between participants. Maybe outside or something.

Are you aware that Bold & Naked has a SELECTION PROCESS where you have to submit a photo first and they state only slim, fit, and toned people are allowed? It sounds like a scam to me.

Erika Nicole Kendall March 16, 2014 - 6:41 PM

I have NEVER seen that anywhere, OMG! Link?

R March 16, 2014 - 11:51 PM

http://www.boldnaked.com/bold-naked-yoga-class-registration-new-york.html

It’s on their own website at the bottom of the registration page!!!

Erika Nicole Kendall March 18, 2014 - 9:26 AM

OMG!

I can’t believe I missed that!

OMG WTF!!!!!!!!!!

Jasna October 30, 2014 - 2:52 PM

No, thanks. I don’t want to risk seeing somebody’s tampon string by accident.

Marshall January 5, 2015 - 8:54 PM

I have been to coed naked yoga here in Austin Texas. Had a great time and wish it would continue. Something happened while I was gone and it was canceled. If and when I get to NY again I would love to get back into the Yoga

Jim October 29, 2016 - 10:08 AM

I’ve been to mixed nude yoga and I’ve been to mixed clothed yoga classes, and have to say I was actually much more comfortable in the nude yoga class. I find that not having clothing binding when trying to reach the various poses made it easier and more comfortable. I also found a noticeable shift when doing the nude yoga feeling and being much more free and open mentally and physically. Yes I suppose that to spectators, there weren’t any with the classes I was in, it could be more titillating, but while caught up in participating in the class, there was never any time or desire to get a look at body parts that are normally covered. Yoga never has been and never will be a sexual thing and something as simple as removing layers of clothing won’t change that. As for doing any yoga on a public yoga mat? No I don’t do that with or without clothes. It just makes sense to always use your own mat so you know where it’s been…

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