heart-of-shady

[heart-of-shady]

I’ve determined in my heart that I cannot remain here.

Perhaps this was always just wishful thinking. You cannot change my mind, please don’t try. This whole blog was an experiment to understand myself better. To understand whether or not what I’ve had within me all along was light or darkness.

I’ve determined that nudity itself is not bad. This much is blatantly obvious, and I would have left MUCH sooner if I had determined otherwise. The fact is, I’ve been looking into this for a long, long time, and I’ve decided that though it’s not bad in itself, there are still problems with me continuing to stick around this place.

Namely, I would like to follow a certain scripture that I’ve learned and have been meditating on for quite some time.

1 Corinthians 10:23, 24. It’s a scripture that most people don’t think about, but it’s very important. “All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous… Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”

This is the principle I have chosen to let guide me in this decision. Would it be seeking the advantage of my brothers and sisters if I were to continue posting here? Even though there may not be anything in the bible directly against simple nudity, would I be seeking their advantage of these ones who are much less able to separate nudity from sexual thoughts and feelings? Don’t you dare say that just anyone can. This world is full of people who can, but as we can read in Romans 14:20-22, “True, all things are clean, but it is detrimental for a man to eat when it will cause stumbling. It is best not to… do anything over which your brother stumbles.”

There are genuine people on this website that know how to separate nudity and sexuality, myself included. But others will not be able to do the same, and for them, I stop here, having made my point about it not necessarily being sexual. This blog and this post will stand to say what I have determined through my faith as well as the facts.

Fact 1: Nudity in itself is not sexual.

Fact 2: In the imperfect state of this world, many people are not going to be able to separate nudity and sexuality.

Fact 3: I cannot change the world, for I am aiming to be not of it, as Jesus said his followers would be; I am only able to deliver a message.

Fact 4: The bible does not directly condemn nudity, and it wasn’t a problem until Adam and Eve sinned.

Fact 5: It may be therefore “lawful,” but it is not necessarily “advantageous” to continue liking all these posts, which will stand here as an archive of the wishful thoughts I have about a world that is completely free from the grasp of sin, where perhaps this too may possibly be a way we can be one with creation.

Fact 6: That world will come, but I am fully aware that clothes might still be necessary even in that world.

Fact 7: Were I to remain here after saying this, and continue doing this instead of leaving it in the past, I could easily be responsible for causing someone to stumble.

Fact 8: Even with all the background checks, I cannot guarantee that even the best resort will be able to keep the kind of environment I’d want to be naked in, because I have seen the way so many people are who claim this title of “nudist” actually are, and there are so many that continue to make it sexual that it’s become highly apparent that even in the best clubs, no matter how many phones are banned, no matter how thorough the background checks, there is a high probability someone is going to be there to exploit the situation unfavorably.

Fact 9: I am not accusing those of you I know to be genuine. I’m sorry if it sounded like I was.

Fact 10: I’m speaking about those I’ve already found to be doing this, on this website and others, who have talked in detail about visiting resorts that were decidedly NOT swingers resorts, and continue making suggestive or outright sexual posts and replies to sexual posts as though they were a perfectly normal thing.

Fact 11: Deleting this account entirely would not prove anything, and would cast doubt on my intentions. I’d therefore rather have the context continue to exist.

I will therefore reserve speaking about it to those I know will be able to understand what I’ve come to think on the matter, and remain, at most, comfortable with nudity, with that of others, and relaxed about it when the situation is under my control, such as in my backyard or with aforementioned friends and family that are also comfortable with the notion.

It’s a nice thought, running through the forest, every inch of your skin feeling the wind and sunshine, the rain and the undergrowth. Swimming through the oceans, lakes, and rivers, drying yourself off in the heat of the sun without having to worry about what you were wearing or not wearing. Doing something silly like bending over backwards while laughing at a camera, or making a naked snow angel and feeling the cold embrace you.

I have learned a better world is coming, one where sin has been wiped out. And though it is of course an uncertain guess, perhaps we won’t have a need for clothes in that world, as Adam and Eve had no need at their creation.

But for now, I’ve learned enough here. I think I’d like to focus more on real life instead of scanning through all these pictures and just liking the ones that capture these wonderful creations called “Earth,” and “Humanity,” and “Nature,” and “Togetherness,” and “Connection,” and “Understanding,” and “Family,” and “Happiness,” and “Smiles.”

Who knows? I might even find one of you out there, a little ways off a trail, enjoying the day the way you’ve learned how, the way it seems we might have been originally made to enjoy it.

And it won’t bother me, and first I’ll check to see if you’re okay and you’re doing it by choice. Gotta cover that whole “clothe the naked” base, after all, if it turns out you’re in some trouble. And if you are doing it by choice, then I’ll get excited that I met someone who knows how to seize the day like that, and I might even join you sunbathing or swimming or whatever for a while, who knows? And I might talk to you more about what I’ve learned and what led me to these conclusions.

You’ve been an inspiration to me here, it’s helped me discover and reconcile with a part of myself that was there all along, and I just want to say that you are all precious human beings, your body is yours, we all have one, I so wish we didn’t have to hide it, none of them are perfect in this world so own what you have because it’s beautiful, may your eyes always be smiling, nudity is not in itself sexual, nudity is ABSOLUTELY not consent, be safe out there, stay confident, stay powerful, stay human, stay compassionate, love God, and even if you will not believe the same as I, show love for everyone. It goes a long way.

I’m moving on. Refining myself. Choosing to become my best self.

Thanks for everything.

heart-of-shady

[heart-of-shady]

Why I dance naked.

I posted this on my Facebook wall last month after having kind of a rough week:

This is why I Dance Naked: Over the past week I’ve had two people come up to me and comment on my weight or lack thereof. People gain or lose weight for a number of reasons: health, change in diet, stress, anxiety, surgery, sickness, etc. It is very normal for any human being to gain or lose 5 pounds here and there. And although I appreciate their concern I believe it is misplaced and poorly executed. I have a great support system of close friends and family who have my back and care for my well being. If I look smaller than already am it’s because I’m wearing a CORSET in a play set in the Victorian era. They have no right to approach me and express perceived concern based on their judgement of how my body is supposed to look on any given day. It seems that no one is exempt from criticism no matter what your size. This is why I believe firmly that I love my body, today and everyday, through ups and downs, through sickness and in health. I respect and feed it well. My body is a gift I shall not squander. I am made up of stars. And I. DANCE. NAKED.

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She unbuckled her belt and trousers and finally stood there completely naked. She felt freer than any other moment in her entire life…She could dance freely, and nothing impeded her movements. Every atom of her body was touching the air, and the air was generous; it brought with it, from afar, secrets and perfumes to clothe her from head to toe.

Brida, Paulo Coelho (via aguidetodancingnaked)

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Yes, she was proud of her body, and no one could criticize her for that: even if she were seventy years old, she was still proud of her body, because it was through her body that the soul could do its work.

From the book Brida by Paulo Coelho (via aguidetodancingnaked)

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Female Communal Nudity: How going to bath houses are the best way to be naked...in public!

I got a message not too long ago from a friend about her trip to Spa World in Virginia and she said it reignited her feelings of beauty about her naked body. Wait..what is Spa World you say?

Usually when I think of bath houses I think of the animated film “Spirited Away” and the little girl who had to work in a mystical bath house that helped clean spirits, ghosts, and even demons in order to free her parents from an evil curse that turned them into pigs. In the real world there are places like Spa World, a Korean Bath house. It’s not your typical Elizabeth Arden or Aveda Spa experience. No women with cucumber on their eyes or people walking around in white towels with clay on their faces. It’s a giant concrete building, the size of a warehouse, in an open shopping mall with an Asian market, a few shops, and a mexican restaurant. It looks borderline sketchy until you walk inside the front doors under a small sign that says “Spa World”. 

The name itself makes it seem like a planet that you go to visit a thousand years from now in the future to fulfill all your intergalactic pampering needs. When you enter you walk down a long clean corridor with green carpet toward a marbled front desk, walls of neat lockers, bright green plants, and soft traditional Asian music. You feel relaxed already. Spa World is open 24 hours a day and one pass is good for 12 hours. After checking in you are given a “uniform”. The women are given these bright orange shirt and shorts outfit. It isn’t fancy or nice. The waistband in the shorts is elastic and the shirt covers any physical feature that you have. They remind me of something little kids would wear in a Miyazaki animated film before bed. But honestly it doesn’t matter because where you are going doesn’t require any clothes. 

The Spa World baths are split into female and male sections. There is a co-ed section downstairs where you can get a Thai Massage, eat at the snack bar or restaurant, or visit one of the many poultice rooms to detox. There are showers and lockers before getting going into the bath are where you fold up your bright orange outfit. Beyond this point no clothes are allowed. Since when do you bathe in your bathing suit? 

So this is part that can get a little scary, especially if communal bathing isn’t part of your culture. It’s you in a room full of women and everyone is naked. But honestly, no one is there to gawk or criticize. Everyone is there to have a relaxing experience is a safe space. 

When I went to Spa World for the first time, I went with a girlfriend of mine. I was a little nervous about being naked with a group of women and even with my friend whom I’d never seen naked before outside of changing in a dressing room. I thought, “Oh no! Is this going to be awkward?!” I didn’t know what to expect but hoped for the best.

As my friend and I stood before the baths, completely naked, I could feel my bare feet on the concrete ground, a little rough like a public pool to keep people from slipping who didn’t follow the “No Running” policy. I felt like a kid again. There we were in all our glory. As I looked around the room a wave of relief in the form of warm steam came over me. We were surrounded by other naked women that varied in shape, age, race, height, and size. Everyone was just…having a bath. Immediately I released my inhibitions about my being naked. And in order to really enjoy the experience, you kind of have to.

I was in awe at the casual nature of nudity at this establishment. I’ve read a few reviews about a local spa in Denver close to where I currently live called Lake Steam Baths. People were complaining about the strict no clothes policy back in 2011.  The establishment has been around for many years and use traditional practices. I realize it isn’t some random rule that everyone should be naked. There’s something to this experience. Instead of seeing the business as not fulfilling their needs because they feel self conscious, I say, try to challenge yourself to overcome your fears. I believe if we spent a little more time with our naked selves and became more comfortable with how we look on an everyday basis, going to bath houses wouldn’t seem like such a personal hurdle. 

I’ve heard of women who’ve had mastectomies who feel liberated after going to these communal bath houses. I’ve also heard of women seeing naked women with mastectomies who feel more comfortable with themselves. There is something powerful about witnessing other naked women, women who live around us, our neighbors, our friends, women who that aren’t models or on television. We are not only humbled by this experience but become grounded. We can see, right in front of us, the beautiful and diverse bodies that exist in reality, including our own. 

I was reading an article* about negative body image in men and women. I learned that if the majority of images of women we see are of celebrities, models, air-brushed, and edited, we actually believe that those bodies and looks are attainable to us. And as much as we think we know that those bodies aren’t realistic, in our subconscious minds we still want them and desire to have them. I am a human and I cannot fight this urge. And it’s nearly impossible to avoid these images of women from my psyche. 

So, Brynn where’s the hope?

Female communal nudity! If we are able to see and be naked with other women who live in our own communities we can come to love and appreciate the lovely bodies that we have. We can also witness all of the changes that we all will someday have to go through and we won’t be alone because we are surrounded by other women just like us going through the same motions. There’s a reason why women who live in rural areas are more comfortable with their own bodies compared to women who live in suburban and urban areas. They aren’t as bombarded by commercial images and the majority of women they see are their neighbors, colleagues, role models, teachers, and friends. Attending places like Spa World is a great way to overcome our body image woes and appreciate the female form.

Going to a bath house is supposed to be a full mind, body, and spirit cleansing experience and we limit the results with barriers that we put up. Reading more about the local Denver bath house, they have altered their policy to allow bathing suits. However I noted that people have slowly realized that when they wear them they draw attention to themselves (as the only clothed ones there) and eventually end up removing them. At the same time, dipping your toe in is a good thing, and being in a bathing suit only to gain the courage to take it off is a nice choice to have. 

There are bath houses like Spa World all over the country. Many of them are open either very late or even 24 hours and have affordable rates and coupons for all day passes. I know Spa World also gives out Groupons a few times a year. My friend and I drove an hour to Spa World and it was well worth the trip. Even having the time to go once a month or with friends and family can be not only relaxing and rejuvenating but a great way to have girl time! 

I believe Dancing Naked is the best way to celebrate and love the amazing bodies we have been blessed with every day. Being able to join with other women, women in our own communities, and participate in communal nudity cleanses our minds of doubt and feeds our positive self body image. I’m going to check out Lake Steam Baths in Denver soon and I’ll be sure to tell you all about it. 

So get some gal pals together, find a local bath house and share the experience! And don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be your birthday rock your suit.

Love, 

Brynn Possible  

Have questions or comments about this subject or dancing naked? Ask Brynn!

More info:

Spa World- Chantilly, VA 

Lake Steam Baths- Denver, Co

* “Mirror Mirror: A Summary of research findings on body Image”-Kate Fox, 2007

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I got into nudism when i was growing up (I guess about the age of 13). I just realised i was much more comfortable and much happier when naked. I used to wait until my family were out and then spend as much of my time naked as possible. My nudism really took off when i reached 17 and learned to drive, i could then take myself wherever i wanted to go be it the beach or just some countryside in the middle of nowhere. It was at this time i discovered Morfa beach. My most favourite spot to be nude. The view, the breeze and the people are all great.

I am now in my 20s and have moved out of my parents’ house. I have my own place and have 2 house mates. One male and one female, Rich and Sammie. Rich is never in and pretty much lives at his girlfriends, but Sammie is always around and is one of my only real-life friends that i have confided in about my nudism. She is very easy going and is getting used to me being nude around the house now which is great. She has yet to join me in visits to Morfa but is very occasionally casual about being naked at home (say after a shower etc) but will not strip off just for the fun of it like me. Rich doesn’t know about the nudism at all and i'prefer to keep it that way, i think it just makes things simpler.

I love travelling, especially in Europe, they seem to be much more lax about nudity especially on beaches which suits me perfectly. This is probably where my interest in nudism started. As a child I always went to Spain on holiday and spent pretty much all the time on the beach with my parents. This is where i first saw topless people in public and it fascinated me.

By 16-17 i was well into nudism and whilst on holiday would often take myself to the beach and set up camp on the beach by myself and go topless. At first i kept it private and only did it by myself, but as I got more into it i gently eased into being topless with the family around. I think this was an odd time for them and they didn’t take it particularly well.

I now only holiday with them occasionally so don’t often face this issue and also get to pick my holiday destination too which is even better. I love holiday destinations with nude beaches nearby but very often just pick a nice quiet beach where i can be myself anyway.

That’s me for now!

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REBLOG if you're a nudist, you're naked all the time, or you just like being naked.

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Swimsuits, Fashion’s Biggest Mistake

As a Naturalist & someone who’s been on the high school swim team all four years of high school, swimsuits from trunks to speedos, bikinis to one-pieces, and everything in between are useless. Swimming naked has 100% range of motion, there’s no gawking for a peak, there’s no shaming one style over another, and, most important,

THERE ISNT A CLOTH DRAGGING YOU BACK LIKE A PARACHUTE AND HOLDING SWEAT AND FECAL MATERIAL RIGHT ON THE SKIN!!!

Tumblr, @staff , I respect your policy on nude content through afraid Puritan eyes, but grow the fuck up & let skinny dipping, clothing optional beach (that isn’t sexual acts or overly-explicit), and historic YMCA Male Swim Records stay.

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I MISS THE NUDIST COMMUNITY ON TUMBLR

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here’s another text post i guess

Naturism, or nudism, is the idea that people can enjoy each other’s company without the inhibitions of clothing. For many people, this is an unusual concept, as we have grown with the belief that clothing is required for all social interactions, and that individuals have anatomical parts that should remain private. But this in an inaccurate concept; clothing is more restricting to humans as it creates social barriers. Nudism is a healthy non-sexual philosophy and choice of lifestyle which is both natural and liberating. The practice of being naked socially and recreationally has many benefits to your psyche, your body, and your relationships.

There is much research to indicate that nudity is healthier for your body. Sleep experts recommend cooler environments to attain the deepest and most restful sleep. Similar studies have also shown that sleeping in cooler temperatures can increase your metabolism; nudity is an excellent way to help yourself reach those cooler temperatures at night. Additionally, nudity prevents excessive sweating, epidermal inflammation, and is better for blood circulation. Meanwhile, clothing has been found to reduce sperm counts and fertility in men, and increase the risk of yeast infections and UTI’s in women. Being naked outdoors also has health benefits. Researchers suggest that our bodies absorb Vitamin D best through sunlight, which prevents Rickets in children and Osteomalacia in adults; it will also help improve a person’s mood.

Naturism also has psychological benefits. While most people rely on clothing to boost their confidence through the appearance of social status, being nude actually works much better. By doffing one’s clothes and spending time either alone or with others, you become more relaxed with yourself and thus increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. Everyone has physical imperfections that we usually try to cover up, such as extra weight, scars, stretch marks; but by practicing nudism we come to see that these are normal things, and when we are nude with others, we see that everyone has the same imperfections; so few people meet the “perfect body” standards that are shown in magazines, television, and other outlets. Being nude with others makes this apparent and enables us to relax and see that all our bodies are flawed, and teaches us to accept those flaws in others and ourselves. Nudism promotes a positive self-image.

Nudism is also good for teaching equality. Uniforms are fairly commonplace in some schools and jobs, because it equalizes people; naturism does the same thing. Within naturist communities things like social classes and race have a difficult time existing when all you can see is a person in their most natural state. We often times make judgments of people’s status based on the clothes they wear, and tend to find other people we perceive ourselves to fit in with. When we are nude, we cannot see the imaginary lines that we draw for these social statuses, and we learn to draw to people based on personalities. In this way, we are able to befriend people we might never have thought to socialize with in clothed society.

One thing that still worries some people, however, is whether or not clothing-optional lifestyles and venues are safe for children and for families? Nudism is made for families and there are safeguards at every resort meant to protect every guest, including patrollers on staff who are just there to enforce the zero tolerance rules for inappropriate behavior. Children take to nudity the way ducks take to water, and they do not think a thing of it, so we want to protect that innocence in places where families are welcome. Nudism within families also creates an atmosphere of openness, which makes it easier to have conversations that may be more awkward in other families.

Nudism is also fun. Many people become anxious over the idea of being nude around others, however, being nude socially is very relaxing and enjoyable, and it enables a person to widen their comfort zones and truly be themselves. By being sociable while nude we find ourselves being more open and true to who we really are and openness is healthy for good relationships with family and friends, which makes enjoying ourselves recreationally so much easier. There are lots of fun things to do nude and with other nudists too. Essentially, almost anything you do clothed can be done without clothes as well, but some favorite naturist activities include swimming, volleyball, yoga, bowling, hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding. Naked participation in these activities increases the experience more positively, as there’s more freedom of motion and no clothing to act as an inhibitor.

While there are so many good things about nudism, there are also many myths and misconceptions concerning the philosophy. Many people think that because everyone is naked that activities revolve around sex, which is not the case; sexual activity is even prohibited in all public areas within the confines of naturist resorts. But as with anything, if one decides to venture into clothing-optional recreation, be careful; some resorts that claim to be naturist resorts are actually not family friendly, but rather clothing-optional couple’s getaways. It’s always best to do your research ahead of time before making any decisions. Naturism and nudism are non-sexual and family friendly lifestyle choices; it is not pornographic.

There are many more positives to nudism that outweigh the myths and misconceptions. Naturism is a healthy lifestyle that revolves around openness, respect, equality, and acceptance. Social nudity opens up peoples comfort zones in order to build stronger bonds and better relationships. Nudism is a safe lifestyle for kids and families because those involved work hard to keep it that way. Overall, naturism is a free and fun-filled philosophy where everyone is welcome.

Jordi Lippe-McGraw, J. (2015, September 25). The health benefits of being naked: How stripping down is good for you. Retrieved from http://www.today.com/health/health-…

Lee, P., Smith, S., Linderman, J., Courville, A. B., Brychta, R. J., Dieckmann, W… . Celi, F. S. (2014, November). Temperature-acclimated brown adipose tissue modulates insulin sensitivity in humans. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/…

Martin, L. (2015, March 19). The Scientific Reasons Why You Should Just Always Be Naked. Retrieved from http://elitedaily.com/life/scientif…

Darter, L. (2010, October 30). Self-confidence boosting benefits of nudism. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/sel…

Tan, M. (2015, April 7). Nudity is the ultimate test of self-acceptance. Why are we so afraid of it? Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/commenti…

Adams, M. (2007, August 12). Naturism is all about equality, confidence and having fun. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/money/20…

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aanr.com/faq-nudism-101#…

How we became naturists (Part III). (2016, January 25). Retrieved from https://naturistfamily.wordpress.com/…

Morton, B. (2013, June 28). Nude Cruise: A First-Timer’s Top 10 Lessons. Retrieved from http://www.islands.com/nude-cruise-…

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Human beings are so precious. All of us. ;-;

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Tumblr, your new censorship rules are absurd.  You flag a post of mine that shows zero female nipples and is a modest and tasteful nude while at the same time I can easily find photos, videos, and gifs of people fucking, lewdly displaying genitals, as well as posts advocating hate and violence.   What’s the sense of devoting any time or effort to this platform?  If your rules made any sense at all they might be worthwhile adhering to but they are completely inconsistent and unfair.

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Anna Rank http://www.annarank.info

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reopening likes

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NSFW ban fail

Reblog if you’re still seeing porn bots despite the NSFW ban. I’m still seeing them. Plenty of legitimate followers seem to be blocked from my feed, however.

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