Mark’s Journey to Freedom and Movement with Naked Yoga
Mark’s Story
At 70 Mark has retained his strength and flexibility thanks to naked yoga.
In the world of yoga, the reasons people step onto their mats are as varied as the poses themselves. For Mark, his journey wasn’t a straight and flexible path, but one marked by physical challenges and a persistent desire for movement and well-being. His story beautifully illustrates how finding the right practice, and the right environment, can reignite a passion for life and help overcome limitations. We sat down with Mark to hear his inspiring tale of discovering True Naked Yoga.
“Too many people associate nudity with something sexual. It is not. Over the years I have encountered very few who appreciate the freedom of nudity. Too afraid, too ashamed, I’m too conservative, embarrassed, body conscious… Oh hell, get over yourself. Accept yourself and enjoy the freedom”
From Running to the Mat: Navigating Physical Setbacks
Mark’s relationship with fitness began with the rhythmic pounding of feet on pavement. “I was always somewhat athletic,” he recalls, “I enjoyed competitive sports, running, and the mental aspects of pushing myself to keep going.” But as time went on, his body had other plans. Running became increasingly difficult, leading him to explore other avenues like Aikido and Tai Chi, eventually settling on yoga. However, his journey wasn’t without significant hurdles. “Then my knees had other ideas,” Mark explains candidly. “My knees gave way to arthritis which led to arthroscopic surgery then to knee replacements for both knees, same day. Two years later I had to have the implants replaced with a different material. I was allergic to the first implants. That led to many years of inactivity. Walking and yoga in small installments got me started. I was on and off again with yoga until more surgeries led me to work on it more consistently. As I aged, I am 70 now, I knew that strength with flexibility and balance were what I needed to live a better life. Yoga answered that call.”
It was amidst this landscape of physical limitations and a yearning for consistent movement that Mark discovered True Naked Yoga.
Finding a Community and a Sense of Freedom
True Naked Yoga’s accessible and varied workouts keep Mark engaged.
Mark’s discovery of the True Naked Yoga website was serendipitous. “I enjoy working out in the nude. Have for many years. It is more free and easy,” he shares. “I think I came across the name True Naked Yoga in a newsletter. I checked it and thought, hey there are others who work out in the nude. I didn’t feel so alone anymore. I am not shy about naked workouts, but apparently many others are.”
What attracted him to the platform was the sense of community and the validation of his preferred way of exercising. “It is nice to vary workouts and try new systems. TNY offers a new routine every week,” Mark notes. While acknowledging the instructors’ impressive flexibility (“I will never be as flexible as the TNY instructors, but doesn’t stop me from trying”), it’s the consistent variety and the feeling of not being alone in his preference for nude workouts that kept him engaged. “I have never been good with routines. Especially with exercise,” he admits, highlighting how True Naked Yoga’s approach resonated with his needs. “Yes, variety is the spice,” he adds with a chuckle.
TNY helped Mark discover a community that embraces freedom and comfort in one’s own skin.
The Uplifting Power of Nudity in Practice
For Mark, the aspect of nudity elevates his yoga experience in a very practical way. “I hope most of you have noticed that most men have these things that dangle between their legs,” he says with his characteristic directness. “Mine do not dangle a lot, but most workout shorts bind, grab, squeeze and generally make you conscious of discomfort. Doing yoga nude, there is never an issue. I feel more free and relaxed and can concentrate on the poses I am doing.” This freedom extends beyond the physical, fostering a greater sense of ease and focus. “I also enjoy swimming nude, hands up if you agree!” he playfully adds.
Mark’s comfort with nudity wasn’t something that developed overnight. “When I was young, everyone was very concerned about how they looked and who they were. I got tired of the game, and told myself, this is who and what I am, others can like me or not,” he reflects. Recalling the streaking fad in college and his enjoyment of nude sunbathing, he sees naked exercise as a natural progression. “Naked exercise was a natural follow.”
Positive Impacts and Words of Wisdom
“Too many people associate nudity with something sexual. It is not. Over the years I have encountered very few who appreciate the freedom of nudity. Too afraid, too ashamed, I’m too conservative, embarrassed, body conscious… Oh hell, get over yourself. Accept yourself and enjoy the freedom”, he says. Feeling inspired by the openness of others, he’s even more determined to challenge societal norms around nudity.
For those just starting their naked yoga journey, Mark offers simple yet profound advice: “If you wake up each day, you have already decided to partake. Make the most of your day. Find a happy place mentally, push yourself a little to hold that pose a few seconds longer. Play music if it helps you. Keep moving and be comfortable.” He also playfully adds his own twist to a familiar saying: “The saying goes…’Motion is lotion’. I like to add that sometimes it takes lotion for the motion. (Everyone get your minds out of the gutter, that’s not what it means!)”
Ultimately, Mark’s story is a testament to the power of finding a movement practice that truly resonates with your individual needs and preferences. True Naked Yoga provided him not only with accessible and varied workouts but also with a community that embraces freedom and comfort in one’s own skin. His journey reminds us that listening to our bodies and finding joy in movement, in whatever form that takes, is key to a fulfilling and active life.
Inspired by Mark’s journey? Get started on your own Naked Yoga journey today!
