Mixed Naked Yoga

+ Do I have to get naked?

In short, yes.

This is a naked yoga class and so it is expected that participants practice in the nude. If you’re feeling a little nervous about getting nude, you’re more than likely not the only one.

It may help to know that the classes are generally held in the evenings by candlelight…and so it creates for a relaxing and ambient atmosphere that evokes feelings of warmth and serenity.

+ What if I have my period?

In this case, you may wish to keep a tampon/moon cup in, otherwise you may opt to keep your underwear on if you wear a pad or would just like that little bit of extra support.

I have taught numerous classes whilst bleeding. I usually just wear a tampon. If it is the first day of my bleed or it is feeling a little heavier, I will opt to keep my underwear on. I also address this at the beginning of the class as I absolutely advocate for normalising menstruation and openly discussing it with men and women. We all either bleed once a month or have someone close to us in our lives that does, so I take it as an opportunity for open discussion.

Students in the class are always very open, receptive and respectful.

+ When do I get undressed?

I ask that students arrive 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the class to find their spot in the class and dress down. That way, by the time the class is scheduled to start, we’re all seated on our mats, naked and ready to begin our yoga practice.

There is usually a seperate and secure room where students can leave their clothing and the rest of their belongings. So yes, in case you were wondering, you do arrive clothed and proceed to undress shortly after arrival.

+ Is it hygienic?

Yes.

I require that students bring a couple of towels with them to lay over the top of their mat for any time that we do groundwork. This is all carefully cued throughout the class, so you are well-instructed. Any props we potentially use are also covered with the other towel where necessary. Nudist etiquette 101 is practiced throughout the evening. A towel goes with you wherever you choose to sit!

+ What do I bring to a naked yoga class?

Yoga mat (essential)

Towel (essential)

A water bottle

Clothes to arrive and leave in

A kind mind, an open heart and a positive attitude!

+ How many people are in a class?

I usually like to cap my classes at 18 people (depending on the size of the space).

I like to keep my classes to a manageable size so that I’m able to assist individuals where necessary.

+ What gender ratio can I expect?

Generally, the classes have been a 70:30 male to female ratio, but recently those numbers have been closer to 50:50.

At this stage, the reality is that most mixed gender nudist events are male-dominated, BUT! That is changing. It’s encouraging and inspiring to see that more and more women are attending my mixed events. My aim is to encourage more and more females to attend my mixed events to get them to a 50:50 ratio on a consistent basis.

+ Can I participate if I have never practiced social nudity before?

Of course!

Let this be a first for you, like it has been for so many of my courageous students who have stepped foot through the door into their first ever social nudity experience...many of whom now attend regularly and integrate social nudity into much of their lives outside of the studio. My classes are the perfect place to dip your toe in as it is a safe, non-judgemental and relaxing environment.

+ Is there an age limit?

My events are 18+ with no age limit thereafter.

+ I’m nervous…Is that normal?

Hell yes!

Totally normal…and I guarantee you’re not the only one feeling this way. I always encourage participants to acknowledge these emotions of anxiety, fear and whatever else they’re presented with, process them and let them go. Breathe through it. Do not judge yourself for having these feelings; be even kinder to yourself during the process. But remember, you are not your emotions and nor do you need to be defined or limited by them.

So whilst it can feel a little overwhelming at the time, I would still encourage you to come along and compassionately work through the resistance. This process, in itself, is invaluable. The nervousness you may be experiencing can be a great indicator as to where there is resistance. Learn to go inward and understand why there is resistance. Remember that doing things that challenges us helps us to grow and evolve.

+ What if I have never done yoga previously?

That’s ok…You won’t be the only one.

The yoga we practice is accessible to first-time yogis and is very beginner-friendly. I have many first-time yogis come along to my class, and the majority of my students are beginners…so the classes cater to this.

Many of my now-regular students had never stepped foot into a yoga studio previously…so don’t worry. We all have to start somewhere, and my classes are the perfect place for it.

+ I’m not flexible though…

And that is totally ok!

Yoga is not a flexibility contest, nor is it even necessarily about flexibility. Sure, one of the benefits of a consistent practice is the improvement of flexibility, but it is not the goal of yoga and you definitely do not need to be flexible to start practicing.

Yoga is the path of union. Union of the body, mind, Heart and Soul.

FUN FACT: In ancient times, asanas (poses) were created with the intention of enhancing the body and mind’s capacity to sit in meditation for an extended period of time; the end goal being self-realisation through this meditation. Essentially, we are preparing the body for meditation, and our asana practice can become a meditation sufficient in and of itself.

So the Instagram version of yoga that many of us are exposed to nowadays is not completely representative of what yoga actually is…what you’re seeing, most of the time, are merely asanas, which are the physical postures we practice…but which are also only one aspect of yoga! Most of the time, the Instagram version of yoga you’re seeing is some pose that has been posted to ‘wow’ people because of the level of difficulty in flexibility, strength, balance and so on…but, more often than not, you wouldn’t be practicing these poses in your everyday yoga class.

If you’re wanting to understand the practice of yoga more, I would suggest coming along and experiencing a class for yourself. That may be the best way to grasp all of this.

+ I have a pre-existing injury…can I still participate?

Depends.

First and foremost, I recommend seeking professional medical advice and if it’s a green light and you know it’s safe…then yes, come along!

Just remember that you know your own body better than anyone else, and so it is your responsibility to understand its limitations and respect its boundaries. Unless you are an experienced yogi and are already practicing with your current injury (and hence understand your limitations and variations), I would ask that you consult with me prior to booking so that we can gage whether or not the desired class will be a good fit for your condition.

In saying all of this, regardless, it is always best to advise your teacher of any pre-existing injuries prior to the class… As a teacher, a part of my duty is to facilitate the class in a way that minimises risk and injury for students…so it is always important to listen for the cues. Just as important is that you give yourself permission to sit out if something doesn’t feel right for you. Yoga is about ‘union’, and so this also means connecting with your body and having the discipline and confidence to sit out if that’s what would serve you best and benefit you most. At the end of the day, it is your practice, so it is going to look different to the person’s next to you…and that is OK! We do not come to yoga to compete or impress. Sitting out of a pose because it doesn’t feel good at the time or you know may compromise an existing injury isn’t weakness or failure…it’s wisdom and respect.

Otherwise, yoga is a great practice for many physical injuries and mental challenges. It is a beautiful restorative practice and the benefits are infinite.

+ Are the classes the same every time?

No.

The classes I offer vary. I like to have variety in what I teach, especially now that I have regular students in attendance. I like to tailor sequences for each class I teach. It keeps the classes fun, enlightening and diverse.

I offer classes varying from vinyasa to yin to restorative..sometimes with different themes…and this will only continue to expand. So, take your pick!

+ Will I be touched?

No…not without consent.

As a yoga teacher, it is also a part of my duty to ensure that I am facilitating a practice for my students that minimises their risk of injury or damage.

If I can see you need some assistance or an adjustment (to potentially avoid risk of injury or damage), I will get consent beforehand. Otherwise I usually just make my way over to your mat and quietly instruct any corrections/adjustments you might need to make. I completely respect your personal space and boundaries.

+ Do you offer adjustments?

Only if I have your consent and it is necessary, otherwise (as previously stated), I may just come over to your mat and quietly instruct some recommended corrections/adjustments you could make to uphold integrity in the pose.

+ Is there anything sexual involved?

No.

My classes are strictly non-sexual in nature. My events are not sexually-charged, nor is there a sexual motive behind anything that we do. My mission is to help normalise non-sexual nudity, and so we embody this in my classes and throughout the practice.

+ What do you mean by ‘non-sexual nudity’?

This comes down to context, discernment and intention.

When I say ‘non-sexual’ nudity, I am referring to the fact that the intention for the space and gathering is one which is not sexually-charged…meaning there is no sexual motive.

It is a space that is created with the intention of allowing people the safety and security to experience and rediscover their own nudity separate from sex and away from a sexualised gaze…understanding and respecting that other participants, too, are here for the same reason and with the same intent. This, in turn, creates safety and security. It sets the tone so that we’re all on the same page.

*I am not shaming sex or sexuality…if anything, I am all about sexual empowerment too…but, there is a time and place for everything. There is significance in learning to separate the two (nudity and sex)…and with nudity already being such a sensitive topic around which it already has such blurred lines…context is key…and discernment is everything.

+ Do I have to have a good body to participate?

No.

In my opinion, there is no such thing as a ‘good’ body. Every body type, shape, colour, ethnicity, age is welcome. You do not have to have a certain body type to participate.

My classes are a great representation of a diversity of real bodies. So whilst there is the image that the media pushes as a ‘good body’, you do not need to fit this mould to attend one of my classes. We’re here to stand up against this agenda that the media pushes to capitalise on peoples’ insecurities and vulnerabilities. We’re here to celebrate the diversity of the human form. These classes are here to help people to love the skin they’re in.

+ What if I lack body confidence?

You do not have to be confident to attend.

If you struggle with body confidence, hopefully my classes will help to improve this by assisting you to become more comfortable in the skin you’re in and by exposing you to a variety of real bodies…of all different shapes and sizes. All you need is a little courage and the confidence will follow.

The more time we spend naked, especially in a social setting, the more opportunity we give ourselves to work through whatever it is that is potentially hindering us from feeling confident. I find that being naked and being in your vulnerability helps you to more easily unmask what it is that is stopping you from feeling confident. The more layers we have on, the more digging we have to do. Baring it all cuts out a lot of the noise.

+ What is the rule with pubic hair?

There are no rules around it.

Pubic hair is completely personal. If you like full bush, great. If you like clean-shaven, fine too. Just go with whatever you’re comfortable with. There is an absolute diversity amongst preference when it comes down to pubic hair choice. That’s the great thing about social nudity, you’re exposed to DIVERSITY…and it’s incredibly empowering.

+ I’m worried about the size of my penis…

This is one of the most prominent male complexes when it comes to body image.

This is a concern many males express to me, so I can assure you that you are not alone in worrying about this. In fact, it’s far more common than you may realise… Sadly, up to 45% of men are unsatisfied with the size of their penis…so, as you can see, you are not alone.

Penises come in all different shapes and sizes and no one is better than the other, despite what you may have been conditioned to believe.

A lifetime of conditioning, watching porn, school yard and change room banter, advertising, sexual myths and so on have seemingly given many males a complex around the size of their penis; believing that the size of their penis is a direct reflection of their manhood, masculinity, virility or, unfortunately, a lack thereof. Anyone who has watched porn can probably agree that most male pornstars have bigger-than-average size penises…but these actors are selected for their extremely large penises and they would place in the very upper percentile on this scale. Sadly, though, this has attributed to many men believing that a bigger penis is more sexually satisfying and desirable…thus men worrying about whether or not they are ‘adequate’ enough.

BUT!!! I want to make this clear… The size of your penis is most definitely not an indication of your sexual adequacy, nor your masculinity or virility. Every penis should be honoured…no matter its size, shape or appearance.

This is the beauty of non-sexual social nudity…being in a safe and non-judgemental space where we are surrounded by other naked men who have varying penis sizes and shapes. We are exposed to real bodies and a diversity of penises. I’ve had countless men express to me how insecure they used to be about their penis size, until they started experiencing social nudity and really understanding that penises come in all sorts of sizes and shapes…and that no one really cares as much as you might think!!!

Whilst many males slightly underestimate their penis size compared with actual measurements, many men also seem to have a very distorted picture of what size other men are, and what they believe they ‘should’ be, hence the reason that social nudity can be such a refreshing reality check.

FUN FACTS:

• The average size of a flaccid penis is 3.6 inches (9.2 cm) long with corresponding average girth at 3.7 inches (9.3 cm)

• The average size of an erect penis is 5.1 inches (13.1 cm) long with corresponding average girth at 4.6 inches 11.7 cm (11.7 cm)

  …and then some of us may be familiar with ‘growers and showers’? If not, here’s a little info on the topic…

Studies have shown that shorter penises increase more in length than longer ones when they become erect. Research based on the penis measurements of 2,770 men found that shorter penises increased by 86% when erect, nearly twice that of longer penises (47%).

In a study published in the Journal of Sex Research, researchers also found that the difference in length between a short penis and a longer one was a lot less obvious when erect than when flaccid. For example, the flaccid penises varied in length by 3.1cm (1.2 inches), whereas the average erect lengths differed by only 1.7cm (0.7 inches).

Research confirms that the size of a flaccid penis is not necessarily a good predictor of the size it reaches when erect. So, some men are growers…meaning that their penis grows much longer when going from being flaccid to being erect. And others are showers…meaning that the penis doesn’t show any major change in size when going from flaccid to erect.

Here are a couple of scenarios and examples…

1 . you could have a smaller flaccid penis than the man next to you, but have a larger erect penis size than him if you’re a grower

2 . you could have a larger flaccid penis than the man across from you, but have a similar or even smaller erect penis than your counterpart if you’re a shower.

This just goes to show that, as with all scenarios in life, you should never judge a book by its cover. So, don’t let this concern stop you from attending and experiencing what may potentially help you to actually overcome this complex. Remember, on the other end of limitation is liberation. Plus, the size of your penis won’t affect your yoga practice! So, regardless of the size of your penis, I would encourage you to come along to experience the plethora of benefits that yoga and social nudity has to offer.

And just as a disclaimer…my class is not full of males with extra large penises! Every penis size and shape is welcome!

+ I’m worried that I might get an erection…

This may or may not happen…and it comes down to the way in which you approach and handle the situation.

There is so much misperception, misunderstanding and stigma around erections. All this stigma and taboo comes down to a lack of awareness and education on the topic. So, let’s go over a few things to help reassure you…

First and foremost, erections are a very natural physiological phenomena for males. Simply put, erections are a phenomena whereby the arteries connected to the penis widen and allow for more bloodflow into the penis. The veins which carry the blood back into the body shrink and the penis then swells and stiffens…thus causing an erection.

Erections occur for various reasons…and whilst it is often the result of sexual arousal…not ALL erections are of a sexual nature. Men can, in fact, experience erections without being sexually aroused in the slightest.

ERECTIONS CAN OCCUR DURING DEEP STATES OF RELAXATION…

Our subconscious (autonomic nervous system) is subdivided into ‘sympathetic' and ‘parasympathetic’. The sympathetic nervous system governs what is known as the ‘fight or flight response’, like when we perceive an outside threat for example. The parasympathetic nervous system governs what is known as the ‘rest and digest’ response, a state that meditation and yoga often induces…and! Erections are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system! So on a physiological level, an erection is actually a relaxation of the blood vessels of the penis allowing them to fill with blood.

So, yes, erections can also occur during deep states of relaxation…without any mental, visual or physical stimulation (such as in Svasana at the end of yoga when you’re laying down with your eyes shut and not moving). In this sense, it is not so surprising or strange that some men experience erections when in this state of deep relaxation without feeling sexually aroused.

SENSORY STIMULATION CAN ALSO BE ANOTHER CAUSE FOR ERECTION…

Anywhere from the sensation of your underwear on your penis, to rubbing against a yoga mat. Realistically, there may be some sensory stimulation during yoga. If an erection, on a physiological level (and very simply put) is a matter of blood flow, some yoga classes will get the heart rate up and the blood flowing, and so it may not be surprising that some men may experience an erection (or semi-erection) during the class…and that it totally fine! This, in itself, is not frowned upon.

FUN FACTS:

• Men can experience several erections during the night whilst they sleep, mostly in the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of their sleep cycle, and these erections can last for extended periods of time…hence the reason many guys wake up with ‘morning glory’ even though they’ve not been sexually aroused or stimulated.

• Male erections are so natural that male foetuses can actually start experiencing erections in the womb…that’s how early this natural phenomena can start occurring…and there’s nothing sexual about that!

In understanding that it can be a normal, natural and a somewhat unexpected occurrence (especially if you’re new to social nudity or yoga), and so long as you don’t make anyone else feel uncomfortable about it and conduct yourself respectfully…I believe that erections, in this case, do not need to be shamed. We need to stop shaming and fearing erections as if they’re sinful and deviant…because this then creates even more of a complex around something so natural for men.
Remember, it is all in the way in which you approach and handle it.

SIDE NOTE

We need to understand that most of society is still conditioned to equate nudity with sex…this might even include you! This conditioning, though, should not stop us from exploring non-sexual nudity, nor should it deflate our hopes of becoming discerning and separating the two.

We must also realise that social nudity is not a socially-accepted ‘norm’…just yet...I’m working on it! And because of this, many people have never really experienced social nudity and are new to the concept and lifestyle. As a result, the concept of non-sexual nudity may be a little challenging to grasp initially.

Given that so many of us may be new to social nudity (and have previously been conditioned to perceive nudity as sexual), I understand that this re-programming is a process…but we all have to start somewhere. That’s the beauty about non-sexual social nudity and the classes I offer…it gives you the opportunity to grasp, experience and embody this.

The more social nudity you integrate into your life, the more normalised nudity becomes and the less likely you are to be getting erections at the mere sight of a naked person…because we start to understand that nudity, in and of itself, is not necessarily sexual and is, indeed, very natural.

TAKE NOTE

If you’re going to an event that involves non-sexual nudity…go there with the intent to respect that and act within the boundaries given. It is about understanding the intention with which a space has been created…context is key!

Should you get an erection, the important thing is that you don’t make anyone else feel uncomfortable about it and conduct yourself respectfully.

Now, all of this isn’t to say that you are bound get an erection. It is just the awareness around knowing what other factors may potentially contribute to getting an erection that are not necessarily sexual. In understanding all of this, hopefully it will help to remove some of the shame associated with erections and will help to ease any anxiety you have around potentially getting an erection during class :)

+ What do I do if I get an erection?

Conduct yourself respectfully, don’t make anyone feel uncomfortable and carry on.

It really is that simple!

Majority of the time, an erection will go away on its own, within a few minutes. If this happens to you and you feel a little awkward or embarrassed about it, I suggest just going down into child’s pose and focusing on your breathing for a few moments.

If this is a major concern for you coming into a class, I would suggest you just find a spot down the back somewhere where you may have a little more privacy.

Remember, the majority of my classes are held in the evenings by candlelight, so it is very dim in the first place…and no-one is watching out for your erection! Yoga is an inward journey, so essentially, we should be focusing on our breath, the practice and listening out for cues from the teacher for each of the poses…rather than focusing on other people… So, believe me, nobody in the class is paying as much attention to you as you might think.

+ Because it’s non-sexual nudity, I’m not allowed to be attracted to anyone?

Of course you can be!

Attraction is still normal in a non-sexual nude setting. We’re human after all! Attraction is human nature…but there is a difference between attraction and objectification and sexualisation. You can be attracted to people without objectifying them. You can appreciate someone’s beauty without sexualising them. You can be attracted to others whether you’re clothed or naked…BUT! Being naked does not mean you have permission to be creepy, perverted or inappropriate. Nudity is not consent. Just because there is nudity involved does not mean it is of an exhibitionist nature, nor does it mean that people are asking for sex, nor to be sexualised…make the distinction! Just as you would (hopefully) conduct yourself in a respectful manner when approaching attraction in a clothed setting, same goes for a naked setting. Boundaries and consent are still a must.

Nudity does not, and should never, disregard or compromise this.

+ Why are the events password-protected?

For safety and security reasons.

I have this in place to ensure quality attendees. Given the sensitive nature of such events, my students’ safety and security is my absolute priority.

I take very seriously the fact that people are entrusting me with their security in a rather vulnerable setting, and so I ensure privacy and discretion as to keep the location of the classes private until your booking is confirmed.

+ Why do I have to be verified to attend?

For me, its quality over quantity.

+ What is involved in the verification process?

It’s super simple and quick (and yes it’s free!).

Basically, you are required to verify your identity through my crew over at the ‘Young Nudists of Australia’…a progressive Australian Naturist movement group I trust and work closely with.

All that is needed is a copy of your Drivers License or Proof of Age card, along with a face photo with you holding your ID up…and voila! You’re verified :)

You will be added to the ‘Young Nudists of Australia’ private Facebook group where you are can be part of a community of like-minded nudies and stay up-to-date with upcoming nudie events and gatherings (including my naked yoga classes!). Everyone else in this group will have gone through the exact same verification process.

The Facebook group operates as a ‘secret’ group which ensures discretion as no friends, family, co-workers or potential employers can see your association to the group. You can be as active or inactive as you like within the group…your posts and likes within the group will not be posted or seen by anyone outside of the group.

*your information will never be used for any purpose other than this verification process.

+ Do I have to be in the group photos?

No.

This is completely optional.

However, should you wish to be in a photo but remain anonymous, this is ok too. There are always options, but your request for anonymity is respected.