‘For some naturists, nudity can become a spiritual opportunity’ – Technologist

[Marc Bonomelli is a freelance journalist specializing in the study of religion and new spiritualities. He is the author of Routes du Soi. En Immersion chez les Nouveaux Spirituels (“New Roads of the Self: Immersion with the New Spiritualists”), he analyzes in a monthly column the flourishing spirituality of our time and its reinvention. From “neo-Druids” to “soul surfers,” these new “roads of the self” appear to span all areas, from health and politics to digital culture, personal development and, of course, religion].

On a hotel terrace in Tangier, Morocco, Nicola, an Italian woman in her 30s, began to stretch. Bothered by the fabric preventing the warm Moroccan sun from touching her skin, she said, in lilting but imperfect French, that she couldn’t practice yoga “in the nude,” due to the kingdom’s laws and customs.

From this terrace, the Spanish coast seemed so close that it was hard to believe there was a sea separating us. The Strait of Gibraltar serves not only as a boundary between two continents but also as a frontier between two attitudes toward the body. On our side, beachgoers remain covered, while just a 30-minute boat ride away, the Costa de la Luz boasts many naturist beaches, especially near Tarifa. There, a bohemian “hippie chic” spirit prevails, with yoga classes, energy healings and other holistic therapies.

‘Connecting with nature’

It was during a holistic retreat – designed to nurture all aspects of one’s being (body, soul, and spirit) – that Nicola first experienced communal naturism in Malta, as part of the ‘NAKED’ project, a communal living experience launched in 2014 across various European countries.

Like many modern retreats, the stated intention of this initiative is to “share [the founders’] way of living and the great possibilities of inner freedom,” according to the frequently asked questions on the Nakedtheretreat.com website. The retreat offers a variety of tools familiar to modern explorers of the sacred, including yoga, breath work, conscious or ecstatic dance, “the four agreements,” non-violent communication and even tantric-inspired practices like “touch, presence and consent” for those who volunteer to explore body awareness.

As the name suggests, NAKED aims to be a journey of self-work within a group, in a setting where most participants are without clothes. However, the rules specify that undressing is not mandatory, as nudity is not limited to the body. Nicola said: “It’s not just about physical nudity!”

According to Lisbon University anthropologist Anna Fedele, there’s a deep affinity between naturism and contemporary spiritual practices. “The absence of clothing evokes a connection with nature, fostering a stronger bond with what some call ‘Mother Earth.’ There’s the idea of showing ourselves as we really are, beyond the roles imposed by society.” The researcher also noted a “romantic idealization” of certain practices that claim to be inspired by Indigenous peoples, referencing the concept of the “noble savage” described by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778).

You have 48.81% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.