Naga Sadhus And Yoga

Naga Sadhus And Yoga, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

Naked yoga (Sanskrit nagna yoga) is the practice of yoga without clothes. While many practice naked yoga at home and in nature, there are a growing number of participants, including children, in group classes. The practice is gaining popularity, notably in western societies that have more familiarity with social nudity. It is becoming popular in Europe and United States.[1]
Naked yoga should be considered in relation to the dress code at yoga courses, varying from different times and yoga directions.


Naked yoga have probably an Indian history since ancient times. One of the Indian sects called Naga Sadhus made nudity a part of their spiritual practice, but naga have been misunderstood as "nagna".
Naga means "who represents Power". The word Naga had came from NAG (snake) which signifies power in Hindu philosophy. And the word sadhu had came from Sadhan (Spiritual Practice). Members of the sect considered nudity a way of rejecting the material side of life. Celibacy and disregard of the harsh outside conditions were among the key ideas of their philosophy. They practiced naked yoga to tame their desires, identify with their physical bodies and to break the attachment with everything physical, sensual and material.
The word "gymnosophists" (naked philosophers), is used in ancient Greek writings as the designation of wise men (yogis) in India, maybe the naga sadhus.
Modern naked yoga has some roots in Germany and Switzerland through a movement called Lebensreform. The movement had since the end of the 19th century highlighted yoga and nudity.[2] In the early 20th century, the term gymnosophy was appropriated by several groups who practiced nudity, asceticism and meditation.