Europeans—and Northern Europeans in particular—value the institution of the sauna very highly, and the love affair with the sauna is manifested in innumerable saunas in parts of Europe, from the humble to the humongous. Sauna customs are not uniform throughout Europe, but, from an outsider's perspective, the facet of certain European sauna culture that is most notable—and perhaps even shocking—is the nudity. It's not that being naked in a sauna is all that radical a concept, but most English speakers are familiar with sauna nudity only in a gender-segregated context. In some countries in Europe, saunas are almost always mixed. Men and women use them together. Furthermore, nudity is generally not considered optional. It is expected. This reality certainly causes many North Americans to gasp in disbelief, but certain European nationalities are exceptional even among other Europeans for their casual attitude about mixed nudity.
As ubiquitous as saunas are in parts of Europe, they are mostly off the radar of those who live in other parts of the world. It can be a challenge to figure out how everything is set up and what to expect, not to mention to know the proper etiquette. We have written this page to illuminate sauna novices about the basics. The other pages in this sauna guide detail about 800 saunas in Europe, sorted geographically.
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Is Pubic Hair Coming Back Into Fashion?
New pictures of Dutch model Saskia De Brauw in vintage Versace jewelry, stilettos, and nothing else, shot for the magazine Industrie are notable for one thing: they actually show her pubic hair. While toplessness is practically a staple of fashion photography, a frank depiction of pubic hair — or even just the acknowledgement of pubic hair's existence — had become a sort of oughts-age taboo.
This year's Pirelli Calendar, which Mario Sorrenti turned into a 24-oversized-page celebration of the male gaze, was obviously rife with full-frontal nudity. But at the key moment, a funny kind of modesty prevails: here a wrist obscures Lara Stone's crotch, there a shadow falls over Kate Moss's, and there the soaking wet white garment that fully reveals the shape of Isabeli Fontana's areolas pulls discreetly, and opaquely, away. Everything gets slightly blurry at the crucial cleft. From the waist down, these women are all shown to be about as featureless as Barbie. De Brauw, coincidentally, also posed for Sorrenti's calendar: her shots betray no hint of the hair Industrie was apparently comfortable enough to let her rock.
Read more
This year's Pirelli Calendar, which Mario Sorrenti turned into a 24-oversized-page celebration of the male gaze, was obviously rife with full-frontal nudity. But at the key moment, a funny kind of modesty prevails: here a wrist obscures Lara Stone's crotch, there a shadow falls over Kate Moss's, and there the soaking wet white garment that fully reveals the shape of Isabeli Fontana's areolas pulls discreetly, and opaquely, away. Everything gets slightly blurry at the crucial cleft. From the waist down, these women are all shown to be about as featureless as Barbie. De Brauw, coincidentally, also posed for Sorrenti's calendar: her shots betray no hint of the hair Industrie was apparently comfortable enough to let her rock.
Read more
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Nudist-Resorts.Org - Naturist Discussion Forum / Bulletin Board
The World's Most Complete Nudist Discussion Forum / Bulletin Board
Discussions include taking a nude cruise, visiting a nude beach, nudism, naturism, nudist resorts, organizations, clubs, beaches, nude cruises, family oriented resort vs adult oriented resorts, the best nudist colony, camp, beach or cruise, clothing optional travel, and favorite naturist destinations.
Visit the site
Discussions include taking a nude cruise, visiting a nude beach, nudism, naturism, nudist resorts, organizations, clubs, beaches, nude cruises, family oriented resort vs adult oriented resorts, the best nudist colony, camp, beach or cruise, clothing optional travel, and favorite naturist destinations.
Visit the site
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
#OpenMinday @Ladygod1va and naturism
My wife’s contact was originally a blogger who calls herself Lady God1va, and you can read her blog here – http://ladygod1va.wordpress.com/. Obviously, this might not be strictly safe for work.
She asks a great deal of questions that I couldn’t go into detail here, about women in naturism, about how to improve the image of British naturism, about how the reactions of others make it difficult to live what is, effectively, a harmless choice of life.
For my own part, I’m still conflicted. The whole last month and a half has raised questions in me about what it means to be yourself, to expect others to respect your choices, and what responsibility we hold to ‘edit’ or self-modify in order to prevent other people’s choices being affected or taken away from them.
Should people walk around naked? I’m unsure. I know that I wasn’t offended by the naked ramblers, the naked woman, even though they were by no means attractive to me. But they raised a lot of questions about how I view the body and about sexuality. So should we all walk around naked? Or should we just respect those who discover that shedding clothes allows them to wholly possess their own identities?
If I were to choose to be offended by someone’s nakedness I can be. But then who is responsible for me being offended? I’m finding it hard to argue that it’s anyone’s responsibility to carry, understand and address other than my own.
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She asks a great deal of questions that I couldn’t go into detail here, about women in naturism, about how to improve the image of British naturism, about how the reactions of others make it difficult to live what is, effectively, a harmless choice of life.
For my own part, I’m still conflicted. The whole last month and a half has raised questions in me about what it means to be yourself, to expect others to respect your choices, and what responsibility we hold to ‘edit’ or self-modify in order to prevent other people’s choices being affected or taken away from them.
Should people walk around naked? I’m unsure. I know that I wasn’t offended by the naked ramblers, the naked woman, even though they were by no means attractive to me. But they raised a lot of questions about how I view the body and about sexuality. So should we all walk around naked? Or should we just respect those who discover that shedding clothes allows them to wholly possess their own identities?
If I were to choose to be offended by someone’s nakedness I can be. But then who is responsible for me being offended? I’m finding it hard to argue that it’s anyone’s responsibility to carry, understand and address other than my own.
Read more
A Naked, Post-Soviet Hot Tub Experience
I never truly understood the term "squeaky clean" until then. There wasn't a lick of dead skin or oil left. I felt like a piece of Tupperware pulled from a hot dishwasher. I couldn't help but laugh at how much it...hurt!
After all was said and done, we emerged into the daylight dehydrated, physically exhausted, and still dripping dry. We leaned against a wall to catch our breath. As we rested, we watched hardy, working-class men walking out with a spring in their step, invigorated by the same scrub that had almost killed me. Humble old ladies proudly protected their new hairdos with bright silk scarfs. What a sorry sight we must have been to these well-groomed regulars!
That day I realized Tbilisi's famous "spas" aren't spas at all. They are bath houses...places for people without hot running water at home to bathe. The experience gave me a treasured insight into real working-class Georgian life and culture. And that was worth every inch of red skin.
Full piece
After all was said and done, we emerged into the daylight dehydrated, physically exhausted, and still dripping dry. We leaned against a wall to catch our breath. As we rested, we watched hardy, working-class men walking out with a spring in their step, invigorated by the same scrub that had almost killed me. Humble old ladies proudly protected their new hairdos with bright silk scarfs. What a sorry sight we must have been to these well-groomed regulars!
That day I realized Tbilisi's famous "spas" aren't spas at all. They are bath houses...places for people without hot running water at home to bathe. The experience gave me a treasured insight into real working-class Georgian life and culture. And that was worth every inch of red skin.
Full piece
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Enjoying Nudity
My blog promotes health, and the appreciation and normalization of nudity. I'm a thinker and I have been thinking about nudity for over three decades. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Nudity should be enjoyed outside of the sexual context.
2) Nudity can be both good and bad. As for me, I'll chose healthy nudity.
3) I appreciate not only extremely beautiful people when nude, but also normal people doing everyday things naked and unashamed. You will see that I often post pictures of ordinary people; people who do not have "perfect" bodies but overcome that to be comfortable sharing their nudity with others.
4) I often wonder why is it that views of male and female nudity are so different. It seems women and men both seem to appreciate the female nude, but the not the male nude. Why is it that the male nude is usually associated homosexuality or used a pro for a photo featuring a nude female?
Web Site
1) Nudity should be enjoyed outside of the sexual context.
2) Nudity can be both good and bad. As for me, I'll chose healthy nudity.
3) I appreciate not only extremely beautiful people when nude, but also normal people doing everyday things naked and unashamed. You will see that I often post pictures of ordinary people; people who do not have "perfect" bodies but overcome that to be comfortable sharing their nudity with others.
4) I often wonder why is it that views of male and female nudity are so different. It seems women and men both seem to appreciate the female nude, but the not the male nude. Why is it that the male nude is usually associated homosexuality or used a pro for a photo featuring a nude female?
Web Site
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Skinny Dipping World Record Attempted for Cancer Cure
Imagine 400 Welsh folks of all ages running into the ocean. Now imagine them naked.
Hundreds of skinny dippers may have now broken a Guinness World Record -- the largest group of naked people to jump into a body of water together and wade for at least 10 minutes.
Congratulations?
Well, Guinness has yet to evaluate the feat, but the group that organized the nude dip raised an estimated $20,000 for its favorite charities, the National Trust and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Benefits of Naturism - New Zealand Naturist Federation
Some excerpts, much more at the link below.
Sun exposure and vitamin D
Naturism has many health benefits, despite the negative publicity on the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure. It is a known fact that sun burn leads to skin cancer but not sun EXPOSURE.
Mental health
Being naked outdoors on a sunny day isn't sexual, but it is sensual – a delight to your senses – creating a feeling of well-being. We all know how invigorating the sun can be and how depressed we feel in the winter, during days and days of cloud and rain. It even has a name – SAD (seasonal affective disorder). We all appreciate the warmth of the sun on our bodies when wearing clothes. Imagine the feeling when the whole body is exposed to the sun – totally naked. Naturism allows us to feel the breeze over the whole body and the cool grass under our feet. Add swimming without clammy togs into the mix, and you get a total stimulation of the tactile (touch) senses. Without clothing, you have improved blood circulation in your skin and nerve endings which gives a feeling of well-being. Unless you have tried it, it's hard to believe how much more alive being totally naked can make you feel.
Read more
Sun exposure and vitamin D
Naturism has many health benefits, despite the negative publicity on the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure. It is a known fact that sun burn leads to skin cancer but not sun EXPOSURE.
Mental health
Being naked outdoors on a sunny day isn't sexual, but it is sensual – a delight to your senses – creating a feeling of well-being. We all know how invigorating the sun can be and how depressed we feel in the winter, during days and days of cloud and rain. It even has a name – SAD (seasonal affective disorder). We all appreciate the warmth of the sun on our bodies when wearing clothes. Imagine the feeling when the whole body is exposed to the sun – totally naked. Naturism allows us to feel the breeze over the whole body and the cool grass under our feet. Add swimming without clammy togs into the mix, and you get a total stimulation of the tactile (touch) senses. Without clothing, you have improved blood circulation in your skin and nerve endings which gives a feeling of well-being. Unless you have tried it, it's hard to believe how much more alive being totally naked can make you feel.
Read more
Saturday, December 3, 2011
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