Naked yoga workshop helps to empower, heal city women

Interested in naked yoga? Here’s what you can expect.

SISTERHOOD: Described as both liberating and empowering, nude yoga has made its way to the Garden City. Picture: Annie Lila Smith

Toowoomba women have stripped down and embraced their femininity at a naked yoga workshop, held at Bloom Holistic last month.

Sixteen women attended the three and a half hour workshop, which has been said to boost healing and bring a sense of empowerment.

Queensland Naked Awakening Facilitator and workshop host Rikki Yeowart said there was a mix of excitement and nerves at the start of the class, with no one sure what to expect.

“They really had no idea what (the workshop) actually entailed and I’m starting to realise that it’s so much more than I can advertise – it’s such a deep healing experience,” Ms Yeowart said.

Queensland Naked Awakening Facilitator and workshop host Rikki Yeowart. Picture: Annie Lila Smith

“The Toowoomba event couldn’t have gone better, it was probably the second biggest workshop I have held.

“It’s a dose of empowerment and I’ve really focused on building a sisterhood.”

Ms Yeowart said the evening started with a meditation and cacao ceremony which then led into a sharing circle.

“It’s all candlelit, so there’s no harsh lighting and no one’s able to see you clearly – we sit in a circle with a little alter in the centre so no one is behind anyone,” she said.

“I let everyone know at the beginning that they needed to honour their own boundaries and take their clothes off whenever they feel ready to do so.

“The circle was probably the most (important) part of the night as the women share their stories around their body image struggles.”

After the sharing circle, Ms Yeowart then led the group in restorative yoga flow, which takes around 40 minutes.

“It’s more about feeling into your body and unleashing the sensuality within all of us and knowing that doesn’t need to mean sexuality,” she said.

“When you take off the robe, it’s like a snake shedding its skin, you know you’re here to shed those layers and remove those masks to become vulnerable in order to heal.”

Ms Yeowart will be returning to Toowoomba on April 24 for another women’s only workshop.

For more information on the workshop, click here.