Let it all hang out, yoga style

You might want to re-think that downward dog pose if you're considering taking a Buck Harris yoga class. Harris, like many others across the country, are part of a growing trend of people who practice naked yoga. Yes, you read correctly — naked yoga.

While the name alone has raised a few eyebrows, advocates of the controversial practice believe the benefits of naked yoga far outweigh the stigmas associated with it.

A trend dating back to the 1960s, naked yoga began gaining mainstream popularity in the late 1990s.

"It's all about spirituality and connecting with oneself, and naked yoga fulfills this deep-seeded need for spiritual guidance," said Harris, a yoga instructor and owner of the yoga studio There's No Place Like Om in Cleveland, Ohio, the only yoga studio in Ohio offering naked yoga.

According to Harris, naked yoga is a spiritual practice that teaches people to accept their bodies while allowing for deeper meditation without the disruption of clothes.

While the thought of being naked in a room full of strangers may intimidate most, Lisa (she preferred not to give her last name), a yoga instructor at Naked Yoga NYC — Asana Exposed, a yoga studio in New York City that offers naked yoga, said once people move past the idea of being naked, they are able to enjoy the class. 

"When I first tried it, the first five or 10 minutes seemed really silly, and it did take some adjusting," she said. "But after 10 minutes, it was fine. It's kind of like being in a sauna or locker room with a lot of women — it's very liberating. We have so many things telling us that our bodies are not good enough and there's something about the practice that equalizes people."

While naked yoga is a spiritual practice, the majority of the poses and stretches are similar to traditional yoga classes and heavy emphasis is placed on breathing, Harris said.

According to Lisa, most naked yoga classes are small and intimate. Her classes allow up to 13 people maximum and are co-ed, with men usually outnumbering the women. Both Harris and Lisa said their classes are very diverse and have people of all sizes, ages and races.

During a typical 90-minute class, the windows are covered with drapes, the room is dimly lit, music plays in the background and there is usually an altar with candles. 

Before the class begins their exercises, students introduce themselves, explain why they came to the class and perform what Lisa referred to as "mindful disrobing." During this process, the class discusses what exactly it means to disrobe in front of people and acknowledges what barriers clothes may hold for them. Following this, the class removes their clothes and places them in assigned cubby holes.

From yoga addicts known as "yogis" to people who want to overcome self-esteem issues, there are many things that attract people to naked yoga, Lisa said.

"We get some yogis who are just looking to expand their practice and we get people who like to practice tantric healing," she said. "Some people are healing from wounding in their relationships and childhoods, some people are drawn to the voyeurism and thrill and others come for the experience. A lot draws people in."

According to Harris, whose classes are for men only, it's the idea of seeing other men naked that draws most men to his classes.

"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some erotic appeal to it," he said. "Even straight men and bisexual men enjoy the erotic aspect of it. For most men, their first intention is to see naked men. What gets them in the room is the thought of being naked with other men and what keeps them coming back is the yoga."

During his classes, Harris said it very common for the men to become aroused; however, both he and Lisa have strict rules when it come to sex. Neither instructor allows sex or genital touching during their classes.

"We have some beautiful bodies and then there are some that aren't to pretty to look at," Harris said. "Either way, this is a legitimate and honorable yoga class, and I don't allow anything sexual."

"Touching and excessive looking and anything that makes anyone uncomfortable is not acceptable," Lisa said. "We never put out indications that [sex] is ok. Just because you're naked doesn't mean that sex is what's going to come next. We are opening people up to experience more pleasure and sensuality but it's certainly not a pick-up thing. We're first and foremost a healing center, and for the most part, people walk in knowing and expecting that."

While they may be comfortable being nude in a group setting, Lisa said most people who practice naked yoga do not consider themselves nudists. While most nudists consider it perfectly normal to be naked, people who practices naked yoga tend to be in search of a deeper spiritual meaning as opposed to just the thrill of being naked. 

"We certainly do get some nudists, and it's perfectly fine, but with naked yoga, people are looking for a more profound experience," she said.

While naked yoga has yet to become a favorite among exercise fanatics, the exercise has increased in popularity. Currently classes are offered in most major U.S. cities including New York, San Francisco, Los Angles, Dallas and Miami.

With the economic crisis forcing people to cut-back on their gym memberships, Lisa predicted naked yoga and yoga in general will become more common as people become overwhelmed by their finances. 

"We've had a surge of interest over the past year," she said. "Yoga in general is going to survive the recession because people are so stressed out that they'll find money to find a yoga class to de-stress. The combination of yoga and the ability to heal past wounding has the ability to withstand a lot of things."