Veg, yoga and clothing Optional.
Posted by rswhitaker on Jan 22, 2010 · Member since Jan 2010 · 273 posts
How many of you have, or do, visit resorts or retreats that are clothing optional? Here in California we are blessed with some really great hot springs resorts, most of which are clothing optional in the bathing areas. The best ones are veg-friendly or even veg-centric and have yoga sessions or other workshops. How do you feel about being au naturel around others? Are you comfortable with your body?
While I'm perfectly happy with my body, going somewhere 'clothing optional' doesn't really appeal to me. Thinking about it, I find it hard to pinpoint why. Maybe the fact that I'm comfortable with myself and naked with my partner does not equal being okay with wandering around in the buff. Perhaps I'd just find it distracting! Who knows.
I have to ask, are the yoga sessions clothing optional? I'm having some crazy mental images right now...
I enjoy c/o places quite a bit. I've only been to one 'actual' naturalist reserve park for a church revival of sorts.... hopefully will be going back this year. (D's actually talking about joining me!!)
Generally, I'm comfortable being naked around others. When I can't be.... I have been known to just tie a scrap (literally) of fabric around whatever bit(s) needing to be hidden.
With massive allergic breakouts and rashes and such, it becomes more of survivability issue of needing to be comfortable. There have been several times when my internal thermostat just won't kick in and it can be <50* with the AC blasting and I will still be sweating. Itching and sweating and overheating can make you rethink 'public modesty'.
While I'm perfectly happy with my body, going somewhere 'clothing optional' doesn't really appeal to me. Thinking about it, I find it hard to pinpoint why. Maybe the fact that I'm comfortable with myself and naked with my partner does not equal being okay with wandering around in the buff. Perhaps I'd just find it distracting! Who knows.
I have to ask, are the yoga sessions clothing optional? I'm having some crazy mental images right now...
No. Just in the baths, pools, sundecks and such. It's completely non-sexual, both Wilbur Hot Springs and Harbin Hot Springs. You pay for the yoga at Wilbur. At Harbin it is all free, as well as dances, some concerts and other workshops. Harbin also won't allow meat to be cooked in the community kitchen and the store and restaurant serve a lot of veg*n items.
http://www.wilburhotsprings.com
http://www.harbin.org/
I enjoy c/o places quite a bit. I've only been to one 'actual' naturalist reserve park for a church revival of sorts.... hopefully will be going back this year.
Breitenbush is one such hot springs retreat up in your state. I've been there too.
http://www.breitenbush.com
I think I am going to start going to the nude beach this summer. I am totally comfortable being naked and with others being naked, but I do know of many people who exploit places that are c/o for purposes like gawking at naked people, which makes me kind of uncomfortable. Perhaps I shall invest in some kind of thong bottom.. that would make me slightly more comfortable. For some reason I just feel like I would feel very vulnerable, especially if I went alone. I'd love to hear peoples stores about c/o places like nude beaches.
hespedal,
You're in SLO right? What's the best nude beach in the area?
You are going to find gawkers at any nude beach. It makes me uncomfortable too, and I'm a guy. I've been to Black's Beach in La Jolla. Little Makena on Maui is a good one. There is one on the Big Island north of Honokohau harbor (you have hike to it). You can go sans clothing on Polihale Beach on Kauai but they have been known to cite lone people or couples. You need to find a group for safety there. Actually Hawaii has the fewest gawkers I have experienced.
Yeah, I'm n SLO. It's called pirates beach or pirates cove. i can't really remember the name but pirates something. There is also a cave thing there so that might be what's called pirates cove.
I grew up in SD, but have never been to black's beach. I've heard it's pretty sketchy there, but I don't really trust my sources. I'm thinking about moving back down to SD at the moment, so I'd probably be able to see for myself.
Blacks beach is a long steep climb from the top of the cliff or a long walk from the La Jolla pier. That keeps some gawkers away but there are still a fair amount. Go with friends if you can. The weather is great in SD but it is getting so overgrown. I like SD but the SLO area is really nice too. The family and I just stayed at the Madonna last summer.
Pirates is pretty similar in that you have to take a longish path to get to it... but does that really deter the creepy sexually charged college students?
yeah, if we move to SD we are thinking further east for the warmer weather and fewer people (and more mountains).
I love SLO, been here for about 6 years, but t can be a little boring. I think it would be super great if I had a car for things like weekend trips to big sur and such.
I almost went to one in Austin but chickened out. :( I think I agree with Catsky. There's nothing wrong with the idea.. there are just some pervy people out there. And I kinda like that those things (like being naked) are private and "special".