Naked yoga Sanskrit nagna yoga or vivastra yoga is the practice of yoga without clothes. It has existed since ancient times as a spiritual practice , and is mentioned in the 7thβ10th century Bhagavata Purana and by the Ancient Greek geographer Strabo.
Early advocates of naked yoga in modern times include the gymnosophists such as Blanche de Vries , and the actress and dancer Marguerite Agniel. In the 21st century, the practice is gaining popularity, notably in western societies that have more familiarity with social nudity. Yoga has been practiced naked since ancient times. In the Bhagavata Purana written c.
Alexander the Great reached India in the 4th century BC. Along with his army, he took Greek academics with him who later wrote memoirs about geography, people and customs they saw.
One of Alexander's companion was Onesicritus , quoted in Book 15, Sections 63β65 by Strabo , who describes yogins of India. The practice of spiritual nudity is common among Digambara Jains , [ 4 ] Aghori sadhus, [ 5 ] and other ascetic groups in the dharmic religions. The order of Naga Sadhus , conspicuous in the processions and bathing ritual at the Kumbh Mela , use nudity as a part of their spiritual practice of renunciation. Modern naked yoga has been practiced in Germany and Switzerland through a movement called Lebensreform.
The movement had since the end of the 19th century highlighted yoga and nudity. In the early 20th century, the term gymnosophy was appropriated by several groups who practiced nudity, asceticism and meditation.
