Naked Yoga: Are They Kidding...?

There's a new yoga craze in town and it's not for the faint-hearted.

There's a new yoga craze in town and it's not for the faint-hearted. As yoga crazes go, we've already witnessed quite a few. There's power yoga, dynamic yoga, hot yoga, playful yoga, slow yoga, all-you-can-eat yoga - these and others have been doing the rounds for some time now. Well apart from all-you-can-eat yoga, I made that one up (a case of hunger-induced wishful thinking - though you've got to admit, it has marketing potential).

No, what I'm referring to is naked yoga. Apparently doing yoga in the buff is the latest trend. Well it is in the US. And while I imagine there are many yoganistas who are fond of practising the asanas au naturel in the comfort - and privacy - of their own homes, what we've got here is a trend for naked yoga classes. That's right. Yoga in the nude performed among a room full of strangers of all shapes and sizes who have been similarly unburdened of every single stitch of their clothing.

Of course the physical and emotional benefits of yoga need no introduction to those in fitness and mind-body - not to mention medical - circles. As well as the obvious improvements in posture, flexibility, muscle tone and physical strength, yoga has been shown in studies to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, strengthen bones and help with weight management, while there's also evidence to suggest that yoga helps reduce the levels of cholesterol, blood glucose, sodium and triglycerides (blood fats) in the body, while increasing the level of red blood cells. And that's just for starters.

So what exactly is the benefit of performing yoga poses without the constraint of clothes, you may be wondering? According to those in the know, stripping off down to your birthday suit brings an increased freedom and confidence to the practice. And perhaps thanks to the celebrities who have made yoga the fashionable pursuit it has become in recent years, you could argue it's more about cool clothing brands than anything else. So by removing the trendy yoga clothes, the idea is you're taking your practice back to basics - as in back to the true roots of yoga.

It helps you accept your body too, say naked yoga enthusiasts. Celebrate it, even. And while the benefits are thought to be largely psychological, there could also be the odd physical perk - if you're contortionist-level bendy, for instance, you might spot a suspect mole you didn't realise you had on a part of your body where the sun doesn't normally shine.

On the other hand, in these bacteria-phobic times many people may wonder if naked yoga is hygienic. Well here's a tip. If you're tempted to try it, it may be advisable not to use a mat that isn't your own (enough said).

Issues of sanitation aside, you could be forgiven for thinking that naked yoga will never catch on in this country (we Brits are hardly well known for our lack of self-consciousness where nudity is concerned, after all).

But naked yoga is already here. At least it is for men in London, where an organisation called Yoganu offers beginner and intermediate naked yoga classes for men (gay or straight). One of its classes is even called Slow and Deep - I kid you not.

And, if the predictable pattern of what happens in the US eventually turns up over here is anything to go by, expect more naked yoga classes to start up across the country any day now.

The question is, will you try it? I dare say some brave yoga fans will.

If, however, you've ever found yourself in a sweaty, over-subscribed yoga class where the rows of yoga mats are a little too close together for comfort, you'll know only too well how grateful you can be for the flimsy layer of lycra that separates you and the person in front's back end during the bending-over poses.

If it sounds like your cup of tea, good luck to you. As for me, I'll stick with the rather fetching designer yoga clothes, thank you very much.

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