Skins: A Naked Yoga Experience

A few weeks ago I was asked by a coworker to attend one of her yoga classes. Little did I know, she teaches a 90-minute nude yoga class for women at a beautiful little intimate studio in downtown Denver called Urban Sanctuary.

Yup, you read that right. Moons out ladies, bearing it all. 

Of course, it’s a “strip to your comfort level” class so if your comfort level is to be fully clothed, then that is more than alright. I was nervous at first to say the very least. Being naked in front of people has never been a particularly comfortable thing for me. Regardless of the countless sports I played or surgeries that forced me to be nude in front of strangers and friends, it never got any easier.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by the beautiful soul Havana, my friend and coworker, who immediately made me feel welcome and loved upon entering the studio. She welcomed me with a warm smile and a beautiful space that smelled of sage and was decorated with plants and wood accents. The room was dimly lit with candles giving each yogi their own little safe, dark space to practice. 

With all of us still clothed, the class began like a classic yin yoga class, setting a beautiful intention in child’s pose. We then moved and flowed like tall grass. Nothing else in the world mattered outside the four corners of our mats and our minds. The music ebbed and flowed in a beautiful symphony. Periodically, Havana would cue the removal of a piece of clothing and if it felt comfortable to your mind and body you could shed clothing.  At their own pace each woman in the room shed their outer skins throughout the 90 minutes. Some bearing it all early in the class and others waited for the last 10 minutes. At one point we were all free and nude like the day we were born.

Did I ever believe I would find myself taking that last step, taking my underwear off in front of six other women and proceed to do a wide-legged forward fold? Not at all. But wow, am I glad I did. It was an incredibly powerful feeling of freedom, openness, acceptance, and community. Opening one’s self up, releasing all physical limitations and constrictions to your practice and bearing your full self in front of other like-minded souls is something every person should be able to experience during their lifetime. 

How did I feel about the experience overall? I felt nervous, excited, free, powerful, limitless, emotional, beautiful, supported, and alive in every sense of the word.

Now this is of course just one person’s point of view but if you have any hesitation or fascination and need a sign to go for it and take the leap out of your comfort zone, take this as that sign. Bear your body and soul and find yourself a little more open and confident in your own skin. 

Thank you Havana and Urban Sanctuary for making me feel like a different Woman. <3

Love,

Creekstar

A newly released free spirit