Hot Nude Yoga Becomes Gay Trend

I enjoy the intensity of the workout I get from the nude yoga class I go to, which includes a mix of gay and straight guys. The mental concentration and endurance required pretty much kill sexual thoughts though. Only once did I notice an erection - one of the younger guys during a warrior pose. Didn't last very long, and some of us, including him, just laughed about it later. Who cares, its only a boner. This could easliy have happened if he had clothes on. Why be naked? It does seem to be an aid to focussing on the practice, and binding the group together. I have to say, I do at times enjoy the beauty of the male form and just the vibe of being naked with the guys. (I'm straight).

I have done 'clothed' yoga for years, and enjoy it, as well as finding it physically beneficial. When visiting New York last Summer I joined a naked yoga class. It was a great experience. Non sexual. Not sweaty and smelly. Just a friendly hour with the 'tribe', all doing what we enjoy doing, the way we like to do it. A good cross section of ages and physical types, with no extremes. I am really sorry that I do not have the option of a naked yoga class at home - I would really enjoy it as a regular thing. I think many here are being highly judgemental, without having experienced what they are criticizing. Let the naked yogis do their thing in peace!

I am surprised so many people find this trend upsetting. We have had maked yoga in Minneapolis for a few years and there are lot of gay men, young and old, mostly very attractive and fit who attend. There is nothing gross or sad about it at all. Perhaps this is due to the Scandinavian influence here. Norwegians and Swedes have been getting naked and sweaty together in saunas for centuries.

Gross!!! I hope they're using disposable mats! It's hard enough to think about all the nasty naughty parts sweating through those dri-fit gym clothes directly onto the equipment seats. Now I have to worry that I could slip on a stranger's ball sweat and fall on the floor of the yoga studio because there was a hot naked class just before mine!

I have my own issues with the coverage of most of the media's presentation here (please do check your facts about the Chicago group, and who originated the format in the U.S.), what seems indisputable is that Yoga has always included an attempt at radical forms of liberation and self acceptance. The West has this mistaken and arrogant notion that they are responsible for naked yoga, which has been around for a very long time. Naked sadhus of India today (typically ostracized within their culture) and ancient Jain Yogins practiced yoga "skyclad," or without clothing. This is nothing new. While sensualized and sensationalized, the fact is, we are born nude, and during our embalming process most of us will again be nude. This is why some of us practice yoga, to remember our frailties and to face them without squeamishness. Radical self acceptance may be the highbrow practice, but it is the heart of Yoga. peace beyond passion, per erez, E-RYT 500, CIYTh First Person Healing Arts

Wow, first the article is off base by saying that the classes are tantric (implying sexual) which is neither the meaning of tantric nor the truth about the classes. Yoga takes way too much focus to be thinking about sex and sporting an erection. Men of all ages show up. Most classes are for all fitness levels with a few classes set adside for more advanced. Trend? While the classes are becoming more popular, less than one percent of gay men in DC attend naked yoga. It is truly not about sex. It does make Yoga more fun to do naked. If it gets more people to practice Yoga then it is a great thing.

My first reaction was similar to those of the guys here who find this "trend" (is it really a trend?) somewhat silly ... I'm still giggling over the "dangly parts" thing. However, I have to say (and I, with my big mouth, almost never say this) that I think those of us that decry this "trend" should probably just sit out this argument and let those guys who like it enjoy it in peace. Gay men as a whole have some pretty silly habits and hobbies; who are we to judge each other?! :-)

This is my worst nightmare turned into a trend. I can't believe they can find so many people who are really into the idea of sweaty, awkward yoga with a bunch of naked people. I think that the basket pose and the frog pose would be particularly awkward in front of a room full of naked men.

Sorry, but gay+nudism=OLD GUYS. I'm 40, and I've never been to a nude resort or nude event where the average age was not 55 and older. I'm not an ageist, but t's no fun when you're single, and feel like you're looking at your naked parents (or even grandparents).

I was so excited to see this article; I think it is an important factor in the evolution of our community. There needs to be a spiritual connection between gay men that is beyond sex, partying, drinking and drugging. I long for intimate relationships with other gay men that aren’t sexual or involve a bar-I don't drink anymore and I long for male gay friends who are not using and cruising-there is so much more to life.