There seems be every type of yoga class out there: hot yoga, laughing yoga, prenatal yoga, and now, naked yoga.
Katherine Medina teaches what's believed to be the first clothes-free, co-ed class in Calgary. She says naked yoga is a great way to build self-confidence, adding that removing clothing is a symbolic way to represent removing restrictions.
The instructor initially started with a women's-only naked yoga class, as a way to empower and teach them to accept their bodies. But soon after, she received inquiries from men asking "What about us? We have body image issues too," which then led to the creation of the co-ed classes, Medina explained in an interview with The Huffington Post Alberta.
She said the Naked YYC class at Like Minded People Studio has zero tolerance for anyone acting rude or making others feel uncomfortable. The first general public co-ed nude class was held last week.
"It’s not about sex. If people are coming looking for an orgasm, they’re in the wrong place. I run a yoga class," said Medina.
She brushed off criticism from other yogis who believe this is all just "some marketing gimmick."
Medina is considering expanding classes, based on requests from cancer patients looking for classes tailored for them.
Check Naked YYC for upcoming classes.