Not sure what's going on with me, but....
Return to DiscussionsMy local yoga classes are clothed and wonderful. I also love nude yoga classes, which I seek out when I travel. When I'm home, I do yoga routines nude, why not?
Now my studios are closed, so I have been "attending" live classes via Zoom, WebEx, etc from home. I am puzzled that when I am doing these classes, I am disinclined to do them nude. There's no question that I'm not on camera, even the audio is muted. Somehow I'm experiencing as exhibitionistic, maybe because other attendees are folks I know from regular class, and I'm the only naked one (an assumption). Very odd, but then so many things are odd right now.
I'll try cueing up a recorded class and discover whether I experience the nude-aspect differently. It's such a nice experience to do yoga without clothes.
You might want to check out the nude yoga classes on Zoom hosted by British Naturism (www.bn.org.uk) every Wednesday during the current Covid-19 lockdown. The price is reasonable and rest assured, the attendees are nude. (BN is hosting many other online events during the lockdown but they are for BN members only.)
Thanks for the tip on British Naturism offering classes. There's a group in Chicago offering online group classes too, and I've been to those classes in person a while ago.
Actually, I finally got over my self-consciousness and am enjoying my local yoga classes on Zoom while nude, I just make sure that my camera is covered, don't need any drama if I accidentally push the "allow video" button :-). While the weather is nice, out on my covered patio. I love the fresh air, but can get distracted by the critters in the yard, hummingbirds and abundance of flowers. Lots to be grateful for, I guess.
Back in May I found that I was self-conscious doing my usual yoga classes nude, now via Zoom, even though I wasn't at risk of being seen. Things changed. I climb out of bed nude, I work from home nude, why was I getting dressed to do yoga?
I'm still attending classes remotely, and expect that will continue for a while. I have to admit that I've lost some ground over the last few months without the companionship. But I've gotten so used to nude yoga that I'm not sure how my body will tolerate clothes. Funny how a perspective changes.
As a yoga teacher (RYT200), I can relate as I teach both clothed and nude classes; with my own personal practice done in the nude.
Because of the constraint of clothes, I tend to not practice with the students in my clothed classes, only demonstrating the sequence of asanas as necessary. In my nude classes, I tend to practice almost the entire class with my students. During this pandemic, I have had to teach classes via Zoom and haven't like it very well, as there is something about being in the room practicing together (that's another post).
I have come to appreciate a nude practice, quite frankly, because as I said, clothes are constraining. Pulling and tucking as necessary can get in the way of a good flow/practice. Yoga is time to let go of everything that is off the mat, concentrate on one's own breath, body, and spirit, and to do this without distraction and with the breath.
As a teacher, I also prefer teaching nude classes. It seams that my students in clothed classes are wearing more oversized and floppy clothing thinking they will be more comfortable. As a teacher this makes my guidance more difficult as I am not able to assess proper alignment in asanas. In nude classes, I am able to assess very quickly and correct asanas (poses) as we practice. I have noticed that my students in my nude classes tend to have less injuries and progress more quickly in their practice.
I have been seeking out nude classes both on-line/in person. Not many out there, but you can find them if you network.
Namaste!