Clothed VS Nude?
Nude being more an ‘alternative lifestyle choice’, there is no posture you can do that is better with or without clothes on, apart from clothing at times having a slight restriction on your movement.”
Physically there is no real difference, however in a mental and emotional sense, without clothing we feel quite vulnerable & exposed because we have no mask to hide behind. At all times I aim to create a safe welcoming space, free of judgement, discrimination, bullying, intolerance & any other inappropriate behaviour. Classes are non-sexual, please respect this.
I’ve practiced nude yoga for as long as I can remember and taught and participated in group classes at Confest festival ( confest.org.au )and other alternative spaces.
Removing all clothes means you have greater connection and sense awareness to your body as you move from posture to posture. Your skin, the largest organ will feel equal pressure and sensation over its entire surface depending on the pose you are in without the restriction or distraction of clothing.
Depending on your level of comfort being naked, you may overcome huge barriers and esteem issues by practicing without clothes. Allowing layers of shame we have taken on throughout our lives to slowly dissolve. A greater acceptance and love of our imperfectly perfect bodies can become our normal way of feeling & thinking.
Is the class the same as a clothed class?
Yes. All classes taught are similar in their approach. Adjusting slightly depending on your or the students level of flexibility and experience. From personal experience I enjoy yoga naked due to the sensual and sensational experience of feeling my body free of restriction.
Will the teacher touch me?
No! My approach to adjustments is minimal and not aesthetic, everyone’s body and skeletal structure is different. Provided your body isn’t in pain and the target tissue is feeling stretched or contracted, then the pose is working.
We all learn in different ways;
# Auditory – hearing it through vocal instruction
# Visually – seeing it & copying
# Kinesthetically – doing it by moving or being assisted through touch
I may make vocal, visual or slight physical adjustments by bringing awareness to your body through slight touch or pointing to the area of your body I want you to feel the stretch in, but always respecting the comfort level & boundaries of you, the student.
An adjustment /touch is never intended to be sexual nor is it to show favour to any student in a class. Some students who are new may require more assistance than a seasoned practitioner. If you do not wish to be touched or adjusted simply let me know before or during class.
Is it sexual?
No! The class is in no way meant to be sexual. For many people, it can be the first time in adulthood that they are naked with another man or woman in a non-sexual context. And many students have told me how liberating this is, how free it makes them feel and how the protective layers we build up around ourselves can slowly dissolve due to us not being able to hide behind a self-image of clothing and labels.
Society at large frowns on nudity in public and many see being naked as a precursor to being sexual. With all the horrible abuse stories we hear no wonder we feel vulnerable and defenseless without clothes. We all have a lot of healing to do around nudity and acceptance of our own and others naked bodies.
There can be elements of feeling at peace & connected especially while doing Yoga Asana (postures) as it has a calming affect on our Central Nervous system. For men especially this relaxed state may cause erections this does not mean the class is sexual or turning sexual. And the reverse is also possible if you are feeling adrenaline flood the body and your heart beat is up, you may also get aroused. Again as I say to students who ask when this happens- refocus on the Yoga class and let it be. I will hold the space and be present without judgement. This non-sexual intention ‘may’ assist in greater ‘healing’.
What if I get an erection?
For men, erections happen quite frequently. Moving your body around, squeezing different parts and having your genitals hang in the breeze, this can all be stimulating to the senses so erections can occur. Moving your body into a relaxation response state can also move blood into the penis and stimulate an erection. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Celebrate having an erection, without shame and keep on doing the class and following the instructions. Sexual energy at a very subtle level is picked up by everyone. Hence why part of yoga practice is to contain and control your energy within the body. Being aware of the hormones that can be released when erect and choosing in that moment to act or not to act on the erection leads to greater awareness of your sexual self. As men we more often than not ‘act’ on the erection. There is great freedom and more choice when you learn to have control over your sexual energy and this, for me has been part of my practice and growth as a sexual and sensual man. And on reflection has helped my 30’s be more healthier sexual energy wise, than my 20’s were.
With total respect though, this has been my experience, your experience may be totally different. So embrace your own journey but respect everyone around you.
What if I have other questions?
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