The Zen of Naked Yoga

For those of you who have followed my blog you know I love to challenge myself and be open to new experiences with my yoga practice, and I twice ventured into the world of Naked Yoga, and found it to be one of the most pure and positive experiences ever.  It was a chance for me to truly surrender to my breath, be vulnerable, embrace Aparigraha (non-hoarding/possesiveness), and fall in love with all the curves and splendor that is my body during asana.  The class I took was at the Pheonix Temple with Isis in NYC, it was co-ed, and she invited me back to play live music for the second class.  While the second class I allowed me to hide my vulnerability behind my guitar, many insecurities were shed from both experiences.  The biggest realization is the concept of beauty or flaw is an illusion, and the thought "OMG I am naked" becomes a natural reminder of how we all came to this journey.

Now in India many of the Naga Baba's (most revered Sadhu's who are nude and renounced the things of this world) have emerged from their deep meditation in the mountains to partake in Kumbh Mela. In India, many of the most revered Sadhu's practice naked as a way to release all attachments, while in the West we are flooded with over-priced yoga apparel, and air-brushed images that often times create a negative sense of self worth and unrealistic goal focused purely on the physical.  With yoga being a practice of unity of mind-body-spirit and self-realization, it would be natural for yogis to embrace detachment, but sometimes we lose sight of this quest in our fashion infused asana classes.  Because of my personal experience, I always recommend my yoga students and teacher trainees to embark on a naked yoga class, or even practice on their own.  We forget how much emphasis we place on things of this world (shirt riding up, pants slipping down, matching clothes etc.), and many of these things can potentially be distraction from the oneness of the practice. 

One of my beloved students, Joseph, did just that, experienced the purity of the practice when done nude, and will be teaching a naked yoga workshop at LeMale Yoga in NYC (Feb 20, 27th, and March 6th 7:45pm -8:55pm).  While this studio provides an amazing playground of exploration inspired workshops, Joseph is guaranteed to have people feel comfortable in their own skin while maintaining a challenging, safe, and powerful vinyasa class with attention to alignment. 

Another paradox of the world of Yoga is, in India yoga was predominantly a practice for men/warriors, and today in other parts of the world we often see classes predominantly with women.  I have heard many of my male students admit that this can be intimidating at times.  The 3 week workshop that Joseph is teaching at LeMale Yoga is for men only (sorry ladies), but promises to be a powerful experience.

For more information on this amazing workshop visit:
http://www.lemaleyoga.com/workshops.html

To read about my experience with naked Yoga please visit:
http://zogayoga.blogspot.ca/2009/03/room-is-like-any-yoga-studio-in-nyc.html
http://zogayoga.blogspot.ca/2009/06/naked-yoga-reprise.html

Naked Yoga - The Reprise

So, the first time I was exposed (figuratively and literally) to Naked Yoga, I was a participant in the class.  It was an eye opening experience.  I was amazed by the overwhelming sense of humility and vulnerability, which was all ushered in with the guidance of the brilliant Isis, of the Phoenix Temple here in NYC.  Being a Yoga Instructor and a musician, I naturally engaged in conversations with both Isis and the lovely Bass player.  As soon as Isis found out that I am also a musician, she graciously invited me back to participate as a musician.  While I was reluctant, I agreed.

As I pledged to immerse myself in all avenues of music and Yoga, I decided to face this new challenge.  So, fast forward to Memorial Day, 2009.  I am having a fun afternoon with a friend, and reluctant to play for the class.  Once again, the natural intimidation of nudity for this tenderly prudish girl arises.  However, I venture on the train dressed in a beautiful white dress, with my guitar and Bansuri (Indian Flute).  I had not practiced or prepared anything to play for the yoga class.

I enter in and meet with Isis.  Once again, her energy and bubbly personality put me at ease.  The class is an intimate group of four students.  I am situated at the front of the room on a large cushion, beside Isis who is seated on her yoga mat.  We are guided through our opening meditation and in the customary manner we remove our clothes.  I begin to play the flute, Raga Yaman, as best as I can with some colorful improvisation and long haunting notes while the class starts the initial warm up.  Slowly I progress to my guitar, singing and playing some renditions of my own material, a collection of my love songs.  

The energy transfer between myself, Isis, and the class was something out of this world.  I can only say that every note I sang and played was guided by a force beyond the room.  This was an experience similar to a Jazz ensemble that plays a standard for the first time together, improvises and takes the listener to a spiritual dimension that has not been visited.  I only wish that I had set up some sort of audio recording device, to have captured the beauty of the evening.  It left me with a brand new experience, and also a soft, sensual new acoustic version of my songs.  This was the most unique gig I have ever played so far.  For more information or if you are brave and would like to participate in Naked Yoga visit:http://www.nakedyoganyc.com

NAKED YOGA in NYC

The room is like any Yoga Studio in NYC, warm, inviting, peaceful with lovely candles and wood floors.  I arrived at the suggested 15 minute early time.  I being a "Naked Yoga Virgin" and generally a modestly dressed female, came to class with my own apprehensions.

The instructor Isis, is bubbly and vibrant.  She has the face of a cherub, wild curly chestnut hair and a spiritual radiance.  She greets me while holding her cute black and white cat.  The rest of the class slowly trickles in, many of whom are devoted to the studio.  The class is an intimate size of 8 with an equal ratio of men and women and we have the added luxury of live music played by a talented female electric bass player.  We lay out our mats in typical staggered formation, mine at the back.  I was the obvious baby of the group.

Isis's kitten quickly found a home on my Yoga mat, which oddly made me feel more comfortable to stay and participate. 

Isis decides to change the configuration of the mats, now we are all mats against the walls, basically facing each other...WOW now my nerves are feeling it.  She invites us to introduce ourselves, which instantly builds community.  We begin fully clothed, on our mats in a guided meditation and soon Isis invites us in a ritualistic way to casually disrobe and feel free.  We all proceed to carry our clothes, which represent our inhibitions to cubbies at the front of the room.  I am in a sea of Naked People floating on Yoga Mats.  While the website tells us to be mindful of others privacy, and respectful of the human bodies natural reactions, I couldn't help but notice how "things" do "arise".

Like in most Yoga classes, we begin with Om.  While this naked practice can be sensual, natural and liberating, I quickly learn that it is Non-Judgement in its purest form.  After my first moments of nervousness subsided, I brought my attention to my own breath, got lost in the postures and maintained softly closed eyes or a narrow slit gaze so not to get distracted from the flow.

We went through a wonderful Restorative Yoga Session.  Everyone was naked, and our lovely naked female electric bass player enchanted the class with haunting live music.  Isis has a poetic way of guiding student in the pose.  She is mindful of her class and suggests modifications for people who may not be advanced in their Yoga practice.  It was amazing how the pigeon pose that she led us into was possibly one of the longest, deepest, most restorative experiences of my personal Yoga journey.  Isis also led us in a heart opening supported bridge that was just brilliant!

Everyone in the group was really friendly.  This entire experience took me out of my comfort zone.  It is in no way an exhibitionist experience but rather a beautiful, and natural experience that celebrates the human body with a sense of community.  The reality of our nakedness becomes a non issue really quick, and like any other Yoga class their are moments when laughter is encouraged.

Being a Yoga Instructor myself (a clothed Yoga Instructor), I recommend this class to all Yogis as a chance to truly look beyond being fierce in Asana, beyond personal body hang-ups, and to become more mindful of others as a community. Co-Ed, naked, liberation if you will.  For people looking to save money on Yoga clothes, naked Yoga is for you.  I joked with Isis after class that she may put major Yoga Apparel companies out of business.  For me this experience gave me the chance to celebrate a deeper appreciation of my curves, genes, and dedication to fitness, along with liberation from the confines of societal rules.  That being said, I have no plans to retire my Yoga pants, and will continue to enjoy expressing my fashion flare on the Yoga Mat in my clothes.

If you are interested in a Naked Yoga session or other amazing classes offered at this lovely studio in NYC, visit: www.nakedyoganyc.com