Naked Yoga: Benefits and What to Expect at a Class Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Yoga Popular Types What to Expect at a Naked Yoga Class Why some yogis practice naked, and what a naked yoga class is like By Ann Pizer Ann Pizer Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 05, 2022 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Kristin McGee, CPT Reviewed by Kristin McGee, CPT Kristin McGee is a certified personal trainer and currently teaches yoga and meditation for Peloton. She is also certified in Pilates and by the National Association of Sports Medicine. Learn about our Review Board Print Hans Neleman / Getty Images Naked yoga is an alternate form of yoga to explore. Yoga is often about self-acceptance and individual growth, and for some, naked yoga is another way to help promote body positivity and feel empowered. As you might imagine, the venue of the class sets the tone and helps determine the clientele. There are many different motivations for practicing yoga nude, but a common thread is working on accepting the body in its natural state. Why Practice Yoga Naked Many get a thrill from dabbling outside of society’s norms, as well as enjoying greater freedom of movement and liberation from the culture of cute, matching yoga outfits. There's no pressure to wear status yoga leggings when everyone is nude! If you are very comfortable in (and showing) your skin, you will probably feel right at home in a naked yoga class. Many people are motivated by the same urges that drive other nudist and naturist activities and lifestyles. After all, if you like to cook your dinner and watch TV naked, it doesn't make much sense to put on clothes for yoga. However, naked yoga advocates feel that it's the students who don't feel entirely comfortable and want to work on their body image who stand to benefit the most. If you can feel confident doing a naked downward-facing dog with a bunch of strangers, not much else will worry you. Naked yoga is a non-sexual environment, and most studios have policies to protect students from unwanted sexual attention. What Happens in a Naked Yoga Class Naked yoga classes offered at yoga centers tend to be co-ed, with an emphasis on practicing unencumbered by the confines of clothing. The style of instruction will vary depending on the teacher. You're definitely going to want to bring your own yoga mat for this one, as well as a towel if you get sweaty, since the perspiration that would otherwise absorbed by your clothing can make your mat slippery. Devotees of this type of nude class find liberation in practicing naked in a safe environment, which they insist is strictly non-sexual. The room is often dimmed to make students more comfortable, and clothing is sometimes removed ritualistically, beginning with clothes on and then removing them. There are typically rules around touching others and making inappropriate comments. Where to Find Naked Yoga Classes A few big cities have yoga studios devoted to the practice of naked yoga. In other communities, traditional studios may offer the occasional (or regular) naked yoga class. Do a search for these options in your community, or call your local studio to ask if naked yoga is available there or if they know of a place that offers it. If you have a real desire to do naked yoga but can't quite bring yourself to strip off in public, start with your home practice. There are many options for streaming yoga classes, and you can choose to do one of those without clothing, or look for a class designed to be done naked. Specifically designed naked yoga classes are available and will include dialogue that helps promote self-acceptance. Finding a Yoga Class in Your Area Doesn't Need to Be Difficult By Ann Pizer Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles The Best Yoga Clothes of 2022 for Any Kind of Practice What Is Thin Privilege? And How Can We Get Rid of It? What to Expect From a Hatha Yoga Class Introduction to Vinyasa Flow Yoga Best Online Yoga Classes of 2022 How to Stay Safe While Doing Yoga in Pregnancy 15 Best Health Documentaries to Inspire an Active Lifestyle Kripalu Yoga Is a Gentle Practice for Mind, Body, and Spirit Your First Hot Yoga Class May Be Different From What You Expect What Is Body Image? Best Online Exercise Classes of 2022 Aerial Yoga: Benefits and How to Get Started The 8 Best Yoga Retreats of 2022 An Overview of the Yoga Lifestyle The Best Alternatives to Lululemon That Don't Skimp on Style The Best Yoga Subscription Boxes of 2021 When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept All