Watch Naked Yoga

Naked Yoga is a notable film documentary that was originally released in 1974. Despite being short in length, less than 25 minutes, it is a wonderfully photographed illustration of modern yoga and how it is practiced today. Naked Yoga took a number of awards between 1974 and 1975, making it an important short film documentary within the genre.

Paul Cordsen was both the writer and director of Naked Yoga. The stars included Elizabeth Taylor-Mead, and artist Alexis Korner acts as the film narrator. They are all three names that were important to the creation and making of Naked Yoga, it would not have happened without each of their inputs on the cinematography.

The primary plot of Naked Yoga is basic; the cinematography centers around the women found practicing and exercising inside of a Cyprus yoga studio. During the short film duration, the usage of psychedelic visual effects is strewn randomly with superimposed imagery. Most of these images come directly from texts and temple sites from the Eastern world. There is accompanying narration which briefly discusses the core philosophy and beliefs of Buddhism, as it relates to the practices shown in Naked Yoga.

Naked Yoga is also a standing example of how individuals and groups practice as nudists and naturists. It explores the world of nudism and naturism briefly, but demonstrates the philosophy of bodily freedom in life, as practiced by both movements at the time. All the major positions and postures in hatha yoga are demonstrated in a most natural surrounding setting. All the yoga practitioners are au naturale throughout the film, hence the name, Naked Yoga.

Ultimately, Naked Yoga is a documentary that stands the test of time. It incorporates hippie era cinematic style with the mixed multimedia of the time, making Naked Yoga a short testament to the blending of Eastern and Western beliefs. It is a film often overlooked, but deserving of the modern film viewer.