There's no need to worry about dressing the part for this activity. All you need is a towel, a mat and an extra dose of courage.
Suzie Doratti is teaching a nude yoga class to raise funds for marginalized women.
The event, Lighting the Inner Torch, provides an opportunity for participants to embrace their body - even the parts they dislike, she says.
"It's a step towards maybe accepting that what's inside is a lot more important than what's outside.”
After popular demand Doratti is bringing the class back for the sixth time.
By letting it all hang out, Doratti hopes participants will embrace a posture of self-love and gratitude, something she says many North Americans are without.
"We should have nothing but gratitude for our health, and yet North American women by far are the hardest on ourselves in terms of judging our exterior.
"As easy as it is to rattle off five things you would change...there comes a time to be in a place that’s filled with an attitude of self acceptance."
Still, it takes guts for women to strike a peaceful pose in a room full of strangers. But Doratti breaks the nervous energy by creating a safe and relaxed environment.
First, when participants enter, the room is dimly lit.
“You come in with a mat and towel...and you decide what you want to have under your towel," she said, emphasizing no one will check whether or not you're wearing underwear.
“Your towel stays on when we do the Yoga Nidra and the body scan so we can get everyone relaxed.”
And if you're worried about Downward-Facing Dog, don't sweat it.
“We start with our heads to the centre and feet outside, so you're never looking at a person directly and there are people on either side of you."
Sure, there's always a chance you'll look the wrong way, but it's okay she says.
"The amazing thing is that candlelit female flashes are absolutely beautiful. It's very flattering. You don't see features and you don't really know who is next to you."
For the first time, Doratti will be co-teaching the class with instructor, Tamara McLellan. She'll be adding an element of Yoga Nidra, which “restfully connects the body and the mind together.”
She says the practice helps women accept that what's inside is far more important than what we choose to hide or highlight on the exterior.
"Honestly, it's the people who have the least body issues who are going to be able to walk in the room, and ironically they will leave with even less body issues."
And women are far less likely to judge each other with their clothes off, she says.
"You know you're in it with everyone else and that's such an amazing thing and an amazing female connection.
"It's super funny because it's impossible when you're naked to see another women naked and judge them- you can't. You just see beauty."
Proceeds from the event go to HOPE in Her Eyes, a charity for marginalized women in both the Okanagan and Nepal.
The event takes place next Saturday, Jan. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Tandava Yoga Studio.
There's room for 20 women - that's right, it's only for women.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
