Nude Aerobics Yoga
"Your clothes conceal much of your beauty, yet they hide not the unbeautiful. And although you seek in garments the freedom of privacy you may find in them a harness and a chain," says Kahlil Gibran in The Prophet. If Gibran were alive today, he would have made a strong case for Nude Aerobics Yoga, which has been practiced to the chagrin of many critics.
Nude Aerobics Yoga basically entails what the term implies: performing Yoga Postures and exercises with no clothes on. This form of Yoga allows for more flexibility in movement. But more than this, having no clothing to hide in helps to bring the mind more "into the present" when doing Yoga. This state of mind is an important element in Yoga.
Contrasting perspectives
Nude Aerobics Yoga is an appealing and meaningful way to do Yoga but admittedly, this form of Yoga may not be practiced to the same extent across different cultures and societies.
Some consider clothing as an art form both in general and in Yoga. The clothes one wears therefore is an extension and expression of one's mind and personality. Practitioners who belong to this paradigm make conscious choices on what to wear when they do Yoga. But more than this, nudity, particularly nudity in the company of others is simply considered as a violation of codes of propriety in many cultures, even a taboo in some.
On the other end of the spectrum are cultures and societies who view the naked body itself as art. The body should be allowed to express itself outwardly, not kept under wraps and folds of fabric, which after all may be inhibiting bodily functions and aid in the growth of harmful bacteria on the skin. Clearly, Kahlil Gibran belongs to this paradigm.
An experience in the nude
For those who are already practicing Nude Aerobics Yoga, it can prove to be a standout experience. Carolyne Zinko of the San Francisco Chronicle observed five women and four men during a nude Yoga session.
One man said after the session that he liked the "vulnerability of having no clothing on" while doing the exercises. A woman said that she liked doing Yoga in the nude because there wouldn't be any distractions caused by cute outfits and competition among the group. "It would be internal, about me," she said. Another man said that being naked helped him to concentrate on bringing the mind, body and spirit together. This in fact is among the primary objectives of Yoga.
While these reactions bear on the deeper aspects of Yoga, others commented on the physical aspects of nude Yoga. They liked being able to see the proper body positioning more easily, enabling them to adjust quickly.
Not everyone may have the same frame of mind regarding Nude Aerobics Yoga. But like other forms of Yoga, it can unite the mind and the body towards transcendence.
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