What is Naturism?

Naturism (or Nudism) is the practice of being without clothing.  Naturists (or Nudists) are people who enjoy doing things common to daily life without wearing clothes.  Naturists are not exhibitionists or swingers. They are normal people who enjoy the feeling of the sun and wind on their skin and the freedom to be content with who they are.  Naturists are not bound by fear of the human body, but view it as a true reflection of one's self.  People generally practice Naturism for three reasons; they enjoy the way being without clothing feels (physical), being without clothing is very emotionally liberating (psychological), and the Naturist culture is typically more honest, accepting and friendly than society’s norm of hiding behind clothing (social).

Most people understand the concept of skinny-dipping.  You can go to a lake, hot spring, pool, etc and not bother to wear a swimsuit.  Naturism is the same practice except it can be extended to anything you do: Housework, gardening, sports, BBQing, sunbathing, or just socializing.

People practice Naturism simply because they enjoy it and often go without clothing at home or in the back yard, but as in any other activity it is more rewarding when practiced with others.  Social Naturism is the practice of being without clothing in a social setting.  Naturist motives are not to show off or look at others.  They are just enjoying the freedom to be themselves.

Besides basic environmental protection, people wear clothing to portray a specific image, or to cover areas of the body that modern society has identified as offensive.  To understand the Naturist point of view there must be a realization that there is nothing disgusting, inadequate, or obscene about the human body, the body is a whole and a few specific areas should not be singling out over others as 'not acceptable', and you should have the freedom to be yourself and accepted for who you are.