What is Naturism?

You may call it naturism…or perhaps you’ve heard it called nudism. No matter which term you use, nude recreation is a great way to unwind and get back to basics. Without clothes, people tend to rely on their personalities to make a statement and accept others for who they are, rather than what they might be wearing. Some say that when they shed their clothes, they also shed the stress of their busy lives.

Naturism is the practice of complete nudity in a social setting while enjoying the splendour of nature. Though nudity is the most obvious aspect of naturism, it is just part of a much wider context.

Nude recreation is a form of self-expression. It allow one to joy of living and experiencing nature in the most natural way possible. To relax and be nude is to let yourself be totally free. Although we enjoy clothing-free activities in appropriate settings, we also choose to wear clothes when it's practical.

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 attitudes and accept the physical nature of both sexes and all ages without fear or shame. We respect each other's individuality. Our own self-esteem is enhanced by our ability to accept ourselves as we really are. Social class distinctions, stated by clothing, disappear. We find it easy to accept others regardless of physical size, shape, or body condition. People who enjoy nude recreation also distinguish between nudity and sex and keep the two in their proper perspective. Nude living thus removes barriers to communication between people and fosters appreciation of the environment. It leads to healthier and more humane living: richer, simpler, and much more enlightened by joy and freedom.

Naturism is also about accepting yourself for what you are… A creature of Nature. It's about not trying to fit a single perfect body type, but considering each and every person as an exciting and beautiful part of Nature itself. You really don't need to be slimmer, or bigger, or rounder, or more muscular, or whatever else, to be accepting of yourself and to really believe that you truly are beautiful. Also… neither accidents, or surgery, or childbirth, or ageing, or even your place on the social register can or ever will change any of that.

The reason that many women are reluctant to try naturism, is that some have no love for their body image. The naturist community believes that all bodies are beautiful while nude. Becoming nude for the first time is not as stressful an experience as you might think. In fact, it is natural because those around you are also nude and enjoying themselves that way. Naturist clubs and resorts provide a safe and comfortable environment for friendship, personal growth, and it is a very satisfying social and recreational experience for everyone involved.

The Old World Naturists have been around for centuries.. in fact, since the dawn of time. They have maintained their rites of nudism drawn from many of the Pagan and other ritualistic religions in the area of old time. There are far more people in the naturism lifestyle than you would probably imagine. They all have found the freedom of NOT being clothed while enjoying Nature. While the Europeans have participated in naturism for many more years than have those in the US, they could educate us in the freedom of being "clothes free" while living the life of a Nude or Naturist in these days.

Naturism is about being free enough in our surroundings to be able to feel the wind, or the sun, or water without the pervasive feeling that we must be clothed to enjoy this much pleasure in our lives. It is also about living and sharing this experience with everyone and everything around you. It's just about being yourself.. 'naturally'.. in a beautiful natural setting with nature surrounding and holding us in it's arms.

Naturists are a friendly, family-oriented group of people just like you and me, who have chosen to be social naturists in the privacy of their homes, or at clubs and resorts, and even on designated beaches around the country and the world. Society does not really understand why nudists take their clothes off, but more people are doing so in clubs and on beaches and on nude cruises and resorts around the world... Naturally!!!