Going nude a 'huge stress release'
BY BETHANY MARETT
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A national week celebrating naturism is encouraging people to "go natural", but it appears few people around South Canterbury are keen to get their kit off.
The annual "go natural week" of the New Zealand Naturist Federation runs October 24 to November 1, and naturists throughout the country will be celebrating.
Timaru's local naturist venue, the South Canterbury Sun Club, will not be holding any specific events for the week but the group is still active and strong.
The Oamaru-based president, who preferred not to be named, said the club had 55 members.
However, few were actually from South Canterbury with most from Christchurch, Ashburton and some from Dunedin.
They hold a club weekend about once a month at the Old Trip Settlement School, which he said they maintained, and had recently repainted.
There are also regular events on the calendar, including a beach party in June and a prostitutes party in November.
"They are always a laugh. We actually get dressed for those."
There is also a themed camp being planned, and a four wheel drive trip that will follow the national rally held near Christchurch over the Christmas-New Year period.
The 65-year-old president said he had indulged in the naturist lifestyle since the early 1970s, but did not go "racing around with a big banner" announcing it.
"I don't personally hang a shingle outside our place saying we are members, but I'm not ashamed or embarrassed of it either.
"It's quite pleasant really. Imagine standing in the shower with your clothes on, well it's just the reverse really."
He said the club did not advertise but there were contacts available in the phone book and online so that those who were genuinely interested would get get in touch.
The most difficult part was trying not to offend other people by their choice.
He said while a national group was getting together to do the Otago Rail Trail in January 2010 he felt the timing was inappropriate, as there may be families using the trail at that time. "You can't be pinged for indecent behaviour by being naked, but you can still create offence and get done for offensive behaviour."
Next week's "go natural week" is aimed at helping "closet" naturists find a local venue so that they can find out more about the many health benefits of naturism.
New Zealand Naturist Federation communications officer Glenne Findon said naturism was a holistic approach to healthy living which led to an improvement in your physical and mental health, all stemming from feeling better about yourself and your body.
"The massaging effect of nature's elements on the skin creates a feeling of well-being and exhilaration, and is a huge stress release."
Ms Findon said many people, especially women, thought that their bodies were not good enough to bare in front of others, but as a naturist you were accepted for who you were and not what you looked like."When naked, the euphoria created leads to an increase in confidence and self esteem, making you feel more comfortable with your body."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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A website worth looking at is www.freebeaches.org.nz
Nude is normal Like your body? Show it! Who says there's anything wrong with skin? Skinful isn't sinful Turn life skin-side out - go naked It's time to turn your life skin-side out Get a whole nude attitude!
It might be stress release for the nudists but I personally find the flabby, pasty, hairy bodies of these, usually old and wrinkly types, stress inducing. I'm mainly thinking of the pervy, sleazy old guy who likes to strip off and take a dip at our local beach when he thinks there are not to many people around.
The sight of him walking around the beach in his see thru, bright orange sarong was also pukeworthy and stress inducing.
If you want to take it all off at least have the decency to do it on private land. I find the 'freedom feeling' of wearing a swimsuit and hitting the surf in summer to be fine. You get the freedom feeling without offending other humans.Some things are just meant to be covered in public...
Tycus #1. You may also want to try the eastern side of the hole in the rock at Breaker Bay where the "free-beachers" hang out.
There really is nothing wrong with nudism. I have a condition that would ordinarily give me one hell of a complex about my body. Partly because of my own strength of spirit but in no small part due to my association with the free-beachers and their complete lack of body-consciousness, I have no issues about it.
One of the things about "going nude" is that it really does strip you bare. It is much harder to put up all our little masks when you are naked. You expose much more than your body. You are finally regarded for who you are, not what you look like or what you wear.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Yes skinny dipping is great. Haven't done it since I was a teenager. I'm missing out I think. Had a look at the Go Natural website. You never know...
Nudity is far from being stress-relieving, if anything, it's stress inducing to see fat and old people walking around starkers.
Hi TYCUS #1,
Sure - we hold monthly acvitivys involving full nudity in the city central. Muster time is from 11am, through to approx 4pm. Just turn up anywhere in the city, nude, and have a walk around - you'll soon come across all us lot. Feel free to bring a friend or 2, the more the merry.
Wow a prostitute party, these people sound real classy.
I'd just like to wish you luck with your 'go natural' week. It sounds like fun. I'm afraid we are unlikely to be joining you here in the UK as the end of October is definitely a cold time of year over here.
I like the implication of having to get dressed for a prostitute's party - what does that say about clothes!
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To me, being nude is being the same person but in a sensually charged ambience that is very pleasurable. Indeed I prefer being with with my family and other sociable mixed gender naturists in clubs and resorts for all of our recreation or relaxation. My personal best was three weeks vacation at Euronat resort in France, with everything except sandals put away for the entire duration. The strangenes of shirt and shorts to depart there was almost as strange as becoming a naturist many years before. As regards sex-life; being nude together promotes an appreciation of the pleasure that gan be given one to another. Enjoy our clothing free lifestyle!