Nude yoga classes offer freedom

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

On a breezy Saturday morning at Sun Ray Hills in the Town of Burlington, a handful of people gather at a campsite, intent of finding peace and relaxation through yoga.

That it is done, by most members, completely in the nude just offers an additional sense of freedom.

No clothing riding in uncomfortable places, no wondering about how anyone looks.

“We don’t have that problem here, because we’re nude,” said Veronica, who has been coming to Sun Ray Hills for about eight years. “It’s another freeing opportunity.”

Jeff, another frequent flyer at Sun Ray Hills, knew about yoga but had never tried it.

“I’ve always been interested in yoga, and I’ve never taken part in it,” he said. “And I love being nude. I looked into nude yoga, and it’s starting to take off in other cities.”

Veronica, who said she discovered nudism and yoga about the same time, said the health elements from yoga benefit everyone.

“It gives me the opportunity to exercise my whole body,” she said. “Everybody can do yoga.

“It just opens up your whole mind.”

Chris, who now helps lead the classes out at the resort, said yoga helps melt away the stress.

“I’ve always liked exercise, but I also like relaxation,” she said. And in doing the yoga nude?

“You just feel like you’re one with nature,” Chris said. “There’s just a sense of freedom and a bonding with nature.”

Talking to the regulars at Sun Ray Hills, though, the freedom also comes from the nudist attitude. Jeff said being nude allows people better acceptance.

“You get to know people better,” he said. “People are more open and honest about who they are.”

One site on the grounds is the primary site for the nude yoga group once a month, though smaller groups are working out together in between. The campsite being used, though, has a dropoff behind it – giving a sense of being about the rest of the earth.

“It’s not a spectator sport,” Kris said. “Everyone’s just doing it for themselves.”

Added Veronica, “It is a stunning view.”