How naked yoga helped a Cork woman learn to love and accept her body

Claire Barrett says baring all has helped her to recover from a debilitating eating disorder and learn to love and accept her body

Claire Barrett bares all during a naked swim. 

For many people, finding yourself completely naked in a public space might be considered the stuff of recurring nightmares.

However, Cork woman Claire Barrett, says that baring all has helped her to learn to love and accept her body. The photographer — who likes to practices yoga naked — is part of the Irish Naturist Association (INA), a rapidly growing movement which promotes naturism (non-sexual nudity).

Corkonians, in particular, are no strangers to public displays of nudity and have embraced the opportunity to bare all when it has arisen

Perhaps most memorably was when more than 1,200 people heeded the call and stripped naked for a photoshoot by renowned US photographer Spencer Tunick near Blarney Castle in 2008. 

Cork is also the only city on the island of Ireland that to date has hosted the World Naked Bike Ride — an annual event in which cyclists bare all, or use body paint, to highlight the danger posed to cyclists and promote body acceptance.

Cyclists for the World Naked Bike Ride cycle down St Patrick's Street. Picture: David Hegarty

And activities such as naked swims in Mallow have also helped to pave the way for those in search of a safe space to embrace nudity.

Claire practises naked yoga on a monthly basis in Cork City. While sessions are held at a secret location, many businesses have been forthcoming in their support for the initiative, including the Crawford Art Gallery. The gallery has also in the past held naked tours for art aficionados. 

Claire says she has come a long way since her initiation into the INA. Six years ago marked the start of her arduous recovery from the eating disorder orthorexia. The illness took the form of a healthy eating obsession that eventually led to excessive weight loss.

Today, in contrast, Claire says she is both happy and comfortable in her own skin.

“I was introduced to the INA 12 months ago through a friend,” she tells the Irish Examiner. 

“I think for me it helped because of my background. My eating disorder led to a huge disconnect between my mind and my body. I lost almost half my body weight because of that disconnection. A lot of people don’t realise that when you suffer from an eating disorder your mind plays tricks on you. You are faced with this internal battle. 

The Crawford Art Gallery has held naked tours for art aficionados. Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

"For me, doing these things, along with the photography, helps strengthen that link between my mind and body. It’s good to have that check in without having your brain take over.” 

The 35-year-old describes the first naturist event she attended.

“I had done a swim that wasn’t associated with the INA. After that, I went to an INA event up the country. There was something really nice about it. 

"I suppose the important thing to remember is that it is vetted and people are all there for the same thing and to spread the same message. There is a real sense of mutual appreciation and respect going on. 

When people aren’t dressed you have no way of telling what they do for a living. It doesn’t matter if they are an influencer or a doctor. Everyone is equal. 

Claire describes how shame formed a key part of previous struggles.

“I don’t think it’s down to confidence. For me, the naked yoga lifts the shame. I’ve had the most amazing chats with people I never met before. It’s hard to explain just how much you get from it. 

"If you saw me you might say that I’m a bit alternative. My style is different to what it used to be. I had spent so long before trying to squash myself into clothes to try and fit society if that makes sense. 

Over 1,000 people naked in the grounds of Blarney Castle during the Spencer Tunick installation in 2008. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

"When I had the eating disorder I was always trying to get smaller and smaller. I have learned to still accept and appreciate my body through the good and the bad. if I get bloated now, I still appreciate my body whereas before I might not have eaten for that whole day.” 

Claire had been self-conscious about her body before finding peace at a naked yoga sessions.

“I broke out into a rash at one stage because my body was so exhausted. I was conscious that people were going to stare at it. It got to the point where it was so hot. I knew that — as much as I would have loved to — I couldn’t keep my cardigan on. 

"The naked yoga kind of forces you back into your body. Clothes are a distraction in so many ways. When you’re wearing a t-shirt or tank top while doing yoga it can end up being all over the place. It also makes it more awkward. I really had a newfound appreciation of my body that I’ve never experienced before.” 

She says mentioning naked yoga can often be met with laughter.

“I think the laughter is down to nerves more than anything else,” Claire says. “Most of the people who laugh at it would secretly like to give it a go so at least the idea is there.” 

Founded in 1963, the INA is currently celebrating 61 years in existence and its membership is growing Its aim is to promote body confidence through social nudity in a non-sexual environment. 

A spike in interest that followed the covid lockdown in 2020 saw INA membership numbers double from 350 to 700. It is believed increased down time allowing for experimentation and soul searching prompted widespread curiosity. This marked a significant turning point for the association.

Claire Barrett doing a naked swim.

Despite the growing interest, INA committee member Derek Keogh described the figure as modest when compared to uptake among fellow Europeans.

Promoting the organisation has been an uphill battle for Derek and fellow committee members.

“There has been an increase in numbers but some groups in other European countries have tens of thousands so there is still a long way to go,”  he says.

He says many people have become considerably more relaxed and open minded since the pandemic.

“Attitudes changed during covid. People had time to experiment with this at home. They had more opportunities to be naked around the house without worrying about people calling over unannounced. Naked swims also grew in popularity.”  

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The naturist said being part of such an event can be extremely liberating.

“I’ve known people through this for years but I still couldn’t tell you what they work at. At these events, you can have a normal conversation that is focused on the person as opposed to possessions. 

People trying this for the first time quickly realise how liberating it can be. It can have a massive and positive impact on the psyche. If you strip off along with 1,000 people it makes you wonder what else you might be capable of and the things that were holding you back.” 

Find out more about the Irish Naturist Association here