Holistic Naturism updated Fri Nov 28 2008 2:35 pm CST
Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature, characterized by the practice of communal nudity, with the intention of encouraging respect for oneself, respect for others and for the environment.While this may be its most obvious definition, it is part of a much wider context. The purpose of naturism is to promote wholesomeness and stability of the human body and mind.
This comes most easily to those who shed the psychological and social encumbrance of clothing to see and respect the human body as created. Naturism also promotes optimum health through complete contact of the body with the natural elements, e.g. sun, wind, air, water. It is practised as much as possible in environments free of the pollutants and stressful components of modern society.
It is therefore associated with an enlightened, holistic approach to nutrition, physical activity, mental functioning, and social interaction. Naturism is founded on family participation. Children in naturist families learn to appreciate the body as part of their natural environment.
They grow up with healthful concepts and accept the physical nature of both sexes and all ages without fear or shame of their own or others' bodies.
Nude living thus removes apprehensions and barriers which have hindered communication between people and appreciation of the environment. It leads to healthier and more humane living: richer and simpler, enlightened by joy and freedom.
If you long to discover how to grow spiritually in an environment that totally respects our serenity as humans, you can.
The organic cultivation and preparation of food, management of natural energy, growth of understanding of our wholeness and its importance to our well-being are central to the ethos of what we stand for.
This Lens may be the key to unlock a fulfillment that your spirit is now ready for.
New Table of Contents
- Nudist Friends
- A Brief History of Naturism
- New Featured Lenses
- Cambium. Holistic Naturist Living
- Holistic Naturism Links
- The Naked Truth
- Naturism Books
- Holistic Naturist Blogs
- Good Naked and Bad Naked
- Holistic Naturist Blogs
- The World's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts
- Books on Naturist Travel
- Where to Find Nudist Campsites
- Naturist Travel News
- New Orbitz!
- Hippie Hollow Clothing Optional Nudist Park Lake Travis Austin Texas
- The Nudist Diary
- Naturist and Nudist Videos
- Naturist Video News Feed
- Reader Feedback
Nudist Friends
Holistic Naturist Personals and Nudist Dating. The largest free nudist personals site online
This is a social site for true, legitimate, family-oriented nudists and naturists. NudistFriends.com is an association for unmarried naturists (nudists) who wish to meet other single nudists in a social setting.
Searching for a soul mate who shares your sense of freedom or looking for someone to make friends who enjoy a natural outdoor experience?
We offer a friendly and confidential environment for nudists and naturists to look for friendships, relationships, and resources concerning the nudist lifestyle.
We have members from all over the world who enjoy living naked, skinny dipping, and meeting others with this lifestyle.
Nudism is a fun, healthy, freeing and wholesome way for men and women to socialize and live without clothes. Naturism is a philosophy that values simplicity and increased harmony with nature.
NudistFriends.com connects nudists with similar interests and needs, or people interested in nudism and naturism. You can easily find out other nudists in your area!
We have people from all over the world who enjoy naked living, skinny dipping, meeting nudists, dating nudists and celebrating the nudist lifestyle. You can also share the experiences of nude beaches, camps, photos, gallery, videos, books and travel. [Sign up for a free account]
A Brief History of Naturism
It has been customary for all, except for the occasional infant, to have their genital area and buttocks covered when in public. Females over a few years of age are normally expected to also wear coverings over their nipples.Decades ago, men were required to wear tops, even at the beach. Recently, thong bathing suits, which expose almost the entire buttock area, have changed our concept of acceptable clothing in some areas of North America.
Naturists believe that if weather, location and laws permit, activities such as sports, swimming, hiking and relaxing in a social environment can be enjoyed without the necessity of wearing clothing. "Naturism is not the exploitation of nakedness, exhibitionism, a religion, or a cult...Naturists accept and admire the beauty of the human body as it is, regardless of age, gender or form." 1
Some people oppose social nudity (also called nudism and naturism) and would like to criminalize it even if it is confined to private naturist resorts. Some feel that nudity, when practiced within a family, is a form of child sexual abuse. Many people feel awkward when a woman breast-feeds her infant in public. Topless women can be arrested in most of North America, even though the practice is generally accepted on European beaches.
History of Naturism
Nude swimming has probably been the rule rather than the exception during the history of mankind.
-Public nudity was common in ancient Egypt under Pharaoh Akhen-Aton (1385-1353 BCE).
-Students in ancient Greece exercised and received instruction while unclad; athletes competed in the nude. This continued until 393 CE, when the Christian emperor banned the Olympic Games because he considered them Pagan.
-Ascetics in ancient India practiced nudity as part of their quest for simplicity.
-The Japanese widely practiced nude communal bathing until recently. Today, there exists only "...a few mixed bathing pools in hot spring spas, and some mixed public baths in small villages in the deep countryside." 2
-Five Christian groups from the 2nd to the 15th century practiced public nudity: the Adamites, Adamianis, Carpocrations, Encratites, and Marcosians.
-Many cultures in tropical areas wear very little or no clothing, even today.
-John Adams enjoyed nude swimming in the Potomac River.
-Public nude bathing was common on the beaches of the UK by the 1840's.
During the reign of Queen Victoria, a period of sexual repression began which spread throughout much of the English-speaking world. At the height of the Victorian Era, it was common to cover all legs, even those of pianos and tables, in order to prevent sexual arousal.
Bathing suits at the time covered almost the entire bodies of both men and women. Then, as now, much of society considered nudity and sexual arousal to be synonymous.
The following naturist landmarks occurred during the 20th century:
-circa 1900: A return to nude public bathing was pioneered in Germany by a group of young weekend hikers called Wandervögel (migratory birds). They hiked around the countryside and skinny-dipped where conditions allowed.
A second German group contributed to naturism; it was the Naturheilbewegung (Natural Healing Movement) which promoted the idea that the sun's rays had healing properties if they were enjoyed in the nude. German sociologist Heinrigh Pudor is regarded as the "father of nudism."
He wrote a book "The Cult of the Nude" promoting naturism. This was at a time when the word "cult" had not taken on the negative meanings that it has today.
-1903: The first naturist resort was opened up by Paul Zimmerman near Hamburg, Germany.
-circa 1905: The British nudist organization English Gymnosophist Society was formed.
-1929: Kurt Barthel founded the American League for Physical Culture. Members Reverend Ilsley (Uncle Danny) Boone, and family are recognized as the first leading family of nudism in America.
-1930's: On one particularly hot summer, thousands of men on Long Island NY disobeyed the law and went topless. The law was changed in 1936 to decriminalize toplessness among men.
-1940's: The Comstock Law, an omnibus anti-obscenity law was used to suppress nudist magazines in the US.
-1958: The US Supreme Court ruled that naturist magazines were not obscene under that law.
-1950's: Police raids on nudist groups became less frequent. One of the last occurred in Michigan in 1956. A Christian radio evangelist had campaigned to close down the Sunshine Gardens Nudist Resort. After a series of court battles, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that naturists had a right to practice nudism within private resorts.
Naturist Terms
Some people regard Nudism and Naturism as synonyms, as are nudist and naturist. However, many regard them as similar but not identical terms. They feel:
-A nudist typically prefers to visit nudist resorts. Some feel more comfortable there, being free of peeping toms and harassing law officers. Others like the social organization, activities and facilities that resorts provide.
-A naturist typically prefers the great outdoors, free of boundary lines or fences. They typically visit public lands where there are few if any amenities.
-The International Naturist Federation defined naturism as follows: "Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterized by the practice of communal nudity, with the intention of encouraging self- respect, respect for others and for the environment."
Some naturists prefer a wider definition and include individuals who practice nudity by themselves, with a partner, or within a family.
Nudists are not rigid about the wearing of clothing. It is used if it is needed for comfort, if required by law, or if preferred in situations where others might feel awkward.
-Textile is used as a noun to refer to a non-nudist, or as an adjective, as in "textile resort".
-The word colony as in nudist colony is not used; campground, resort or park are preferred.
-Landed nudist clubs are groups who own a naturist facility. Non-landed clubs meet at nudist resorts, landed clubs, or travel to wilderness locations.
-Free beaches are public beaches in North America which have remote sections in which nude sunbathing and swimming is practiced.
Two are officially recognized in Canada, in Toronto and Vancouver. A few free beaches are at least tolerated in the U.S. For example, South Gunnison Beach at Sandy Hook, is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey.
National Park Service has posted signs there stating: "Beyond this point you may encounter nude sunbathers." Haulover Beach Park in Miami Beach, FL, is recognized by Dade County and by the City of Miami Beach, although signage is provided by the local naturist group.
Organized Naturisim
Organized naturism was called Freikörperkultur (Free body culture) in Germany, the country of its origin. It first came onto the scene at the beginning of the present century.
It was a time of awakening, of shedding stiff collars and the accompanying values; there came a need for lightness, air, a more natural style of living, as well as less restrictive clothing.
Neinrich Pudor's book The Cult of the Nude appeared as a timely beacon. By 1903, Freilichtpark (Free-Light Park), the first known nudist club, was opened near Hamburg. Shortly after that, Heinrich Ungewitter published Die Nacktheit (Nakedness), a utopia of nude living. It went through several reprints.
The naturist movement grew quickly and became quite voluminous, with clusters of clubs close to the big cities. However, when Hitler came to power (1933), all organizations having nothing to do with National Socialism were banned.
Naturism in Germany went underground, in much reduced numbers. But by then the idea had caught on and had become international in scope.
Jumping to the present, it is satisfying to see that naturist groups are active in most of the countries around the world, as individual as the places they inhabit: some a little stern and austere, some rather low-profile, some quite playful and flamboyant, and so on.
The hardiness of early nudism (no smoking or drinking, vegetarianism, and compulsory calisthenics) has given way to the somewhat freer way of being in the late 20th century.
Change is the big constant. The general spirit in world naturism is one of optimism and vitality. Some see the lifestyle as a "secret weapon," a solid impediment to the encroaching ills of the present.
References:
- "What is Naturism?," East Haven Sun Club R.V. Resort, at:
http://www.webruler.com/benude/ - "Potpourri," at:
http://poza.net/japan/living9.html
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