Author Archives: Isis Phoenix

About Isis Phoenix

Isis Phoenix is a priestess of the sacred temple arts, a somatic sexologist and nude yoga teacher. She is the founder of Naked Yoga Alliance, a global information network and resource center for naked yoga. Isis and her classes have been featured in Metromix, Timeout, Jane magazine, NY Post, Tantra Café, NY Spirit, CBS, Fox News, BBC, Elle Magazine, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan.

Naked Yoga Alliance Interviews nude yoga instructor Steven Russell

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Steven RusselName: 

Steven Russell

City where you teach naked yoga: 

Matawan, New Jersey and Asbury Park, New Jersey

What inspired you to begin teaching naked yoga?

I have always loved being naked. I have been going to a nude beach for 30 years. I started taking nude yoga classes in New York City in about 2005. When I became a yoga teacher in 2010 it just made sense to start a nude class.

agoalen_yoga_steven-8800How has teaching and practicing naked yoga transformed you and your personal yoga practice? 

I find that when I am naked, especially when I’m practicing with other naked people, I focus much more on my own practice. I’m much less distracted by others. When I’m teaching naked yoga I find that I pay much more attention to the students’ bodies, their breathing, their alignment, than when they are clothed. I find the clothes are distracting. The opportunity to be naked and to move and breathe is a great motivator to get me to practice, and to attend classes.

What do you see as the unique benefits for teaching naked yoga?

I find that there is an instant bond among the members of the class that takes a long time to develop, if it ever does, in a clothed class.

Tell us an interesting story that occurred in your yoga classes.

About a year after I started a nude men’s class one of the men who had been coming for about a year came to class and told the class that he had attended one of my other, clothed, classes. He said with some delight that it was the first time he had ever done yoga with clothes on. Until then he had only attended my naked class.

What is your advice to a first time naked yoga practitioner who might be experiencing jitters about attending his/her first class?

If you hesitate, you might never do it. Go with the interest that brought you to consider naked yoga and just go. The people there will also be naked, and have had the same jitters you have. They will be completely understanding, and welcoming.

 agoalen_yoga_steven-How can people find out more about your class?

http://www.meetup.com/Central-New-Jersey-Yoga-for-Men/

www.becomingsoundyoga.com

http://www.kurstudios.com/

“ASANA: Images of Awakened Kundalini, Nature and Prayer”

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ASANAI was recently made aware of this book “Asana: Images of Awakened Kundalini, Nature and Prayer”

Naked Yoga Alliance Interviews naked yoga teacher Anya from New Jersey.

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AnyaName:

Anya Castellano 

City where you teach naked yoga:

Asbury Park, New Jersey

What inspired you to begin teaching naked yoga?

I began practicing Naked Yoga years after I was practicing and teaching clothed yoga. My naked yoga practice began in my home and then I ventured into NYC and took a class. It was completely a different feeling then I ever experienced in a practice with my cloths on. The opportunity arouse for me to share this practice and so it began.

How has teaching and practicing naked yoga transformed you and your personal yoga practice?

Teaching Naked Yoga feels more like sharing. Sharing and exposing others to this practice has opened me up to new places within myself that I never experienced before. My chakras feel more open and balanced and there is more energy moving through me. Practicing Naked yoga like any yoga is a process. In this process, I have become aware of thoughts, beliefs and emotions that are causing blocks.  As I become aware of them I work on releasing them through the practice. In the naked yoga practice, you are in your own energy field without the energy of human made cloth, and that cloth takes on an energy.  In the practice you have the opportunity to experience your own energy, your skin is able to breathe, you feel more expansive and it becomes a more  liberating practice.

 AnyaWhat do you see as the unique benefits for teaching naked yoga? 

Unique benefits for teaching naked yoga include stepping outside of your comfort zone, out of the box and sharing a practice that you believe in.  Teaching naked yoga gives students an opportunity to experience it, without the teachers they would not have this opportunity.

Tell us an interesting story that occurred in your yoga classes.

A common but interesting story is a student coming in to a class both male or female expressing their nervousness. As a teacher, I listen and hold a space for where they are. My intention is to make them feel comfortable and safe. Within the class, the nervousness melts away and they feel comfortable and at ease. Recently, I had a male share with me before class about body image issues, cultural programming that made coming to naked yoga uncomfortable…after class he shared openly with the class about what he released and how much lighter he was feeling. He then went to write an extensive review and share his experiences that can be found on Yelp for Kur studios.

Here is an excerpt:

“I had my first taste of absolute freedom and carefree. The first naked yoga class was funny for me and I learned a lot about myself. This was a challenge to get out of my comfort zone.  This was a fight within myself, internal discussion of clothed yoga and undressed yoga. There was too much noise in my head.  This was a fantasy fight to win approval and acceptance of my body image and confrontation of beliefs. I was able to learn that removing clothing is a symbolic way to represent removing social restrictions and wrong beliefs.”

AnyaWhat is your advice to a first time naked yoga practitioner who might be experiencing jitters about attending his/her first class?

If you are a new student and contemplating going to a naked yoga class it is completely natural to experience jitters… I did. My advice is to go with an open mind and focus on one breath at a time. Be in your own space and witness your thoughts with a non judgmental attitude, observe how your body is feeling. With this you may have an experience of opening up and experiencing something within that you have never experienced before.

 How can people find out more about your class? You can either visit

www.kurstudios.com Or www.anyacastellano.com

Naked Yoga Alliance interviews Megan Leigh “Clothes Free” Yoga in Tempe, AZ

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Megan Leigh YogaName: 

Megan Leigh Yoga

City where you teach naked yoga: 

Tempe, AZ

What inspired you to begin teaching naked yoga?

I loved the idea of stripping away the layers both physically and figuratively speaking, so I decided to try Katrina Rainsong’s R.A.W. Nude Yoga class and instantly fell in love with the freedom of practicing without the restriction and distraction of clothing. I wanted to teach my own clothing-optional yoga classes to help others find that freedom and comfort in their natural state.

How has teaching and practicing naked yoga transformed you and your personal yoga practice?

I have far less distractions and things hindering my practice now that I practice nude. Think of the freedom of never having to pick a wedgie from your bum after a lunge or forward fold 😉 Both practicing and teaching naked yoga have transformed me into a more body-positive and self-loving person. It is beautiful to see a group of people of varying body-types, age-groups, and cultures all feeling comfortable enough in their own skin to strip away their ego and their clothing.

What do you see as the unique benefits for teaching naked yoga?

Less Restriction in movement and breath, less distraction, more mindfulness and connection to body-breath-spirit, release of negative body-image-issues, and a more clear and concise view and understanding of safe alignment in asanas.

Tell us an interesting story that occurred in your yoga class.

It was definitely interesting the time some very intense and dramatic classical music began blaring through the wall from next door during our savasana! 😛

Megan Leigh YogaWhat is your advice to a first time naked yoga practitioner who might be experiencing jitters about attending his/her first class?

I always tell my students to treat nude yoga just like any other yoga class in the way that you honor your body and your practice as you are showing up in that moment. Only do what you are comfortable with, and remember it’s not a competition, ever. Do what feels natural and right for your practice, such as starting clothed and slowly taking off articles of clothing as your body heats up with the practice. If you only feel like shirtless yoga one day, then do that, the pants will follow when you’re ready 🙂

How can people find out more about your class?

They can find me on Facebook by ‘Liking’ Megan Leigh Yoga and messaging me there.

For the Yogis not on FB, they can always email me at meganrose89@hotmail.com

“Naked yoga will NOT break out into a full-on orgy”

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The article is a bit sensational but I’m glad the word continues to get out about this practice.

“I tried naked yoga in NYC and here’s what you need to know” by Meagan Drillinger originally published on www.thrillist.com

“The first thing you need to know about naked yoga is that it exists. It is a real thing. A thing people do. Sure, it’s not as popular as some other great New York pastimes, like late-night ramen, strolling the High Line or, you know, regular yoga… but yoga in the nude is definitely something going on in NYC. I should know — I did it….”

Read the Full story HERE:

http://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/new-york/naked-yoga-in-nyc

“Co-Ed Naked Yoga”

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Why Co-Ed Naked Yoga? by Katie Freeman originally posted on SoundBodyLife.com

“The premise of this phenomenon is definitely interesting and might surprise some. The health benefits of yoga are pretty obvious, but what is the actual reason for getting naked? Proponents defend the practice as a progressive and communal activity that promotes better body image and self-confidence.  It helps people accept who they are and feel comfortable in their body. It also removes judgment directed towards other people’s body and accept them the way they are as a person…”

Read the full story HERE

http://soundbodylife.com/co-ed-naked-yoga/

“Naked yoga in Kelowna, B.C., promotes accepting bodies as they are”

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Naked yoga — where participants bare it all for their practice — is gaining traction in Kelowna, B.C., with classes aimed at helping women accept their bodies for what they are.

“The general overwhelming intention is to try to integrate the entire body to allow yourself to breathe in and become one and not reject different body parts because they are aesthetically not pleasing to you,” said instructor Suzie Doratti, who also works as a (clothed) real estate agent…

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/naked-yoga-in-kelowna-b-c-promotes-accepting-bodies-as-they-are-1.3019621?fb_action_ids=569697899874164&fb_action_types=og.shares

7 Freakin’ Good Reasons You Should Do NAKED! Yoga

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By Zen Marie Holmes via mytinysecrets.com

“Practicing nude yoga allows you to accept yourself, flaws and all. You begin to love and appreciate the unique characteristics that make you, You.”

Riebicke-MyTinySecrets-Nayed-YogaHere are 7 freaking good reasons for you to take off your clothes during your next yoga session:

#1 Nude Yoga Improves Your Body Image

Everyone has parts of their physique that they are uncomfortable with: wide hips, no hips, too fat, too thin, too tall, too short and of course breast, butt, and penis size.

Women in particular have a tendency to feel insecure with their bodies. Especially after having given birth some feel their breasts hang lower, and their waist or abdomen may have stretch marks, excess skin or additional weight – all of which are very natural.

Read the full article HERE:

http://mytinysecrets.com/7-freakin-good-reasons-you-should-do-naked-yoga/

VICTORY! Yoga Alliance Lawyers backdown and agree to a disclaimer from Naked Yoga Alliance.

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Dearest Naked Yogis:

Below is the letter that a beloved entourage of naked yoga enthusiasts who are also lawyers helped me craft. Big thanks to lawyer/yogis Lloyd, Eric, Lisa, Jen, Cliff and the dozen other law enthusiasts who offered their support as well as everyone who as shared their thoughts, emails and humor around the situation. Your feedback is our life blood and what keeps this Alliance going. Though we get to keep our name, the entire ordeal has raised larger questions of naked yoga being pushed out of main stream yoga and being labeled as the black sheep or the red headed stepchild. The next step feels like addressing the core issue of why Yoga Alliance does not want to be associated with naked yoga as this starts to become both a civil and human rights issues.

Stay tuned for the letter to Yoga Alliance that will follow. I will be posting it here for feedback.

Love,

Isis Phoenix

LETTER TO PAT JENNINGS, lawyer for YOGA ALLIANCE:

“Dear Mr. Jennings,

I am in receipt of your letter of March 16, 2015 (Ref. 25741-000012). A closer examination of the screen shots you provided will reveal that I never use the words “Yoga Alliance” alone just as your client never uses them preceded by the word “Naked.” Naked Yoga Alliance is a clearly distinct entity – indeed strikingly so – and we do not believe Naked Yoga Alliance constitutes a violation of trademark. None of my hundreds of communications in relation to the organization has suggested such a confusion.

Moreover, Naked Yoga Alliance was not created for commercial purposes. It does not create confusion in the marketplace, or at least any more confusion. A brief search of the Internet reveals a plethora of organizations that include the two words “yoga alliance.” Your client even maintains a site with a list of organizations that include those two words and are not affiliated with your client. (https://www.yogaalliance.org/Learn/Article_Archive/Not_All_YAs_Are_The_Same)

Yoga Alliance is Not Affiliated with Other “Yoga Alliances”

Yoga Alliance and Yoga Alliance Registry are operated and maintained by Yoga Alliance staff in the U.S. Yoga Alliance is not affiliated or connected with any of the following entities:

  • The Canadian Yoga Alliance
  • European Yoga Alliance
  • Indian Yoga Alliance
  • Spiritual Yoga Alliance
  • World Yoga Alliance
  • Yoga Alliance Argentina
  • Yoga Alliance Asia Pacific/Southeast Asia
  • Yoga Alliance Asia
  • Yoga Alliance Australia
  • Yoga Alliance of Chile
  • Yoga Alliance International
  • Yoga Alliance UK

Here are some more: World Real Yoga Alliance, Hot Yoga Alliance, Canadian Yoga Alliance and International Yoga Alliance for Ethics. I doubt that one more would have any impact on the distinctiveness of your client’s mark. May I suggest your client simply include Naked Yoga Alliance on the list? I have invested a great deal of money, time and effort in forming Naked Yoga Alliance as a distinct and independent entity. I am not inclined to change the name. I will, however, be happy to include on my website a disclaimer that Naked Yoga Alliance is not affiliated with Yoga Alliance.

Regards,

Isis Phoenix

“Dear Ms. Phoenix,

Yoga Alliance would appreciate it if you would please put a disclaimer on your Web site indicating that Naked Yoga Alliance is not affiliated with Yoga Alliance.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this request.

Regards,

Pat Jennings”