[Topfree] Artist Holly Van Voast, In Court Again After Stripping In New York's St Patrick's Cathedral

Ativist Holly Van Voast was hauled back in court yesterday for her latest stunt – going [topfree] in St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.

After facing the judge fully dressed, Van Voast was dismissed thanks to a 1992 state appellate court ruling which states women are allowed to go [topfree] in public.

The 46-year-old then exited the court and promptly exposed her breasts to the waiting media.

The photographer and performance artist has so far displayed her wares at Grand Central Station, the Statue of Liberty and on the Staten Island Ferry.

Having filmed her latest stunt, Von Voast informed the New York Daily News: “I want to have a reality show. Nothing works like t***.”

Sporting a mop of unruly blonde hair, a drawn on moustache and frequently bare breasts, Van Voast often performs under her transgender alter-ego Harvey Van Toast.

Harvey, Van Voast claims, was conceived to draw attention to the need to protect art and to entertain the public.


She told DNAinfo: "This is what New York is begging for right now — something kind of funny, a little outrageous. Something that blows your mind.”

In this video, Van Voast's alter-ego, Harvey, visits the Staten Island Ferry and the Empire State Building:



SOUCRE: The Huffington Post - UK

You can find Holly Van Voast's work here at  Flickr: lens jockey™, her blog at thetoplesstruth and her YouTube channel here.

Doug [Interview With A Naturist]

Interview with Doug at the the Eastern Naturist Gathering 2009 on why I enjoy nude recreation.

Amanda [Interview With A Naturist]

Interview with Amanda at the the Eastern Naturist Gathering 2009 on why I enjoy nude recreation.

Christina [Interview With A Naturist]

Interview with Christina at the the Eastern Naturist Gathering 2009 on why I enjoy nude recreation.

Krystin [Interview With A Naturist]

Interview with Krystin at the the Eastern Naturist Gathering 2009 on why I enjoy nude recreation.

Karen [Interview With A Naturist]

Interview with Karen at the the Eastern Naturist Gathering 2009 on why I enjoy nude recreation.

Scott [Interview With A Naturist]

Interview with Scott at the the Eastern Naturist Gathering 2009 on why I enjoy nude recreation.

Crash Course: Body Image [Body Image]

Here is a video about body image from the founder (Annie) of the website Stop Hating Your Body on Tumblr. Stop Hating Your Body is updated daily with many great and sometime moving testimonies of real men and women who have battled with their body image. On the website, Annie states the reason for starting it:

I started Stop Hating Your Body on Oct 12, 2010 after taking a photo in my underwear with the words “START A REVOLUTION! STOP HATING YOUR BODY!”

I wanted to create a space where people could express themselves about body image, where all sorts of different body types, age groups, ethnicity, beliefs, can unite over one thing: the desire to be happy, the desire to love themselves completely.

I have a low tolerance for bullying or cruelty, if I catch it, depending on what was said I might give someone a warning or I might just immediately block them from the site. Of course I can’t see all that goes on, so I also rely on people to report any harassment and I will do the same.

Stop Hating Your Body Website (http://stophatingyourbody.tumblr.com/)

I understand that people have concerns about physical health in accordance to weight, but that does not justify criticizing, bullying, or shaming people for their bodies. If you are truly concerned that one is living an unhealthy lifestyle and it is showing, then show kindness, not judgment. I bring this up because there is constant scrutiny based on health, but I am here to say that one’s health or health lifestyle does not EVER justify bullying. I bring this up, because YES, some bodies you will see on this blog WILL be unhealthy, but that doesn’t give you the right to put them down. We are here to SUPPORT each other.

I cannot emphasize enough that this is NOT a health blog, this is a self-esteem blog, I am not a doctor, I am not equipped to answer questions about health, but hopefully I can be of some help in finding clarity about your body-image. So though, as a person, as Annie, I would hope that you are healthy and that you live a long and happy life, you are no less of a human being if you are unhealthy, whether it’s because of lifestyle choices or matters out of your control, you deserve respect, you deserve positive self-esteem.

Also understand that this is a space for EVERYONE, no matter what size, color, age, we’ve all suffered with body image issues, most of us anyway, and we are here to support each other; not to compare our bodies, not to see how many notes your post gets, not to judge each other. We are here to listen, to learn, to understand, that we all have our own battles and we are all human and deserve some respect.

This is a place of encouragement, a place to talk about body image, a place for feeling beautiful. No matter what you look like, what color, what gender, what size or however many “flaws”, healthy, not healthy, working on it, we are all human, we all deserve to be happy, we all deserve to love ourselves. With this blog you will see all kinds of REAL bodies, REAL people, REAL stories.

Please support this website by visiting it and telling others about it.

Stop Hating Your Body

Shit People Say To Nudists And Shit Nudists Say In Response [Naturism]

YNA presents "Sh*t people say to Nudists and their responses"

Check out our website: http://nudistnaturistamerica.org/
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/youngnaturists

Video was shot and edited by Walter "Wojo" Deptuch
checkout his other work at
wdeptuch.com | www.olgareview.com

Nudity Not Rude At Home [Home & Garden]

After a mother complained to police about her family being able to see Palmerston Deputy Mayor Geoff Carter nuding up in his house, many people told NT News they are happy to go regularly naked at home.

But most people, and the law, agreed that nudity should be out of the public eye.

Father-of-three Phil Denson, 28 (pictured above), of Brinkin said "naturism" is healthy because his kids Flynn, 3, Mars, 1, and Safari Jewel, one week old, will worry less about body image.

"So the kids don't grow up thinking there's only what they see in magazines," he told the NT News. "It doesn't have to be a sex thing, it's just a comfort thing.

"And there's less washing to do.

"But even when we take them to school the teachers say Flynn always seems to lose his pants."

But Mr Denson said his offspring and wife Anna make sure they wear clothes in public view.

"Friends usually ring before calling over," he said.

Mike Foley, 72, has streaked at iconic spots in more than 20 countries. The Darwin musician penned The International Streaker in 1974 and is now on a streaking holiday in New Zealand.

He most recently streaked on a skateboard at sunrise in front of Mount Maunganui on Wednesday. His wife Kay takes the photos and he sells a charity calendar of his antics for Variety NT each year.

"I know we live in 2012, but I'm opposed to anything that would be seen to offend kids," he told NT News.

"If they're going to get their clothes off, they've got to be serious, if they get caught, it serves them right."

Top End Naturist Recreation Retreat owner Jean Paar, 62, who runs the year-round, 100-acre operation in Darwin River is unsympathetic to Mr Carter.

"If he got caught he deserved to get caught," she told NT News, while she was starkers.

"When we lived in the city we had to be discreet"

There is a prison term of six months, a $2000 fine, or both, for a person convicted of exposure in view of a public place.

SOUCRE: ntnews.com.au

Consumer Nudism [Cartoon]

Click for larger image

SOUCRE: Daily Kos: Consumer nudism

Sandra Bullock Ditches Her Killer Heels And Strolls Out Of Oscar Party Barefoot [Barefoot, Showbiz]

After an evening of rubbing shoulders with her fellow Hollywood stars, Sandra Bullock appeared to be feeling a little worn out.

The Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close actress was caught walking barefoot out of an Academy Awards party last night.

Elegantly dressed in black trousers, a black blouse with lace detailing and a white blazer, Sandra strolled out of the event, hosted by the Creative Artists Agency at a private home in Beverly Hills.

However, the 47-year-old actress didn't seem to feel too much discomfort as she walked to a waiting car holding a pair of killer black and white heels.

Sandra's September 11th film is nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Picture.

The brunette beauty turns in an emotional performance as a widow and single mother trying to raise her son after her husband, played by Tom Hanks, is killed in the terrorist attacks on New York.

Sandra recently revealed she wasn't eager to return to work after she won her first Oscar, then watched her marriage to reality TV star Jesse James crumble in 2010 and adopted her son Louis.

SOUCRE: THISDAY LIVE | Mail Online

'Primitive' [Tribal Peoples and Cultures]

Is it so strange that some people don’t want to join the mainstream? http://www.survivalinternational.org

Survival International - The movement for tribal peoples

Seeing [Tribal Peoples and Cultures]

There are many different ways of living on this planet, who's to say their way is best?

Survival International - The movement for tribal peoples

Survival - iNAKED's Charity Of Choice

Survival is the worldwide movement for tribal peoples whose lives, lands and livelihoods are threatened.

Throughout Africa, Asia and beyond, tribal peoples face challenges to their land and welfare from mining, cattle ranchers, missionaries and other intruders bringing violence and disease.

For over 40 years, Survival have brought attention to their situations, supported their struggles and given them a platform to convey their message. We have supported court cases, launched massive media stories and carried out high-profile protests with great success.

Their work has led to the demarcation of tribal reserves, the abandonment of oil exploration projects and a far greater global awareness of the issue.

All this happens independently of governmental or corporate sponsorship, thanks to their supporters. They work towards a world where tribal peoples have their land rights respected, their human rights upheld and the opportunity to decide their futures.

It is the opinion of iNAKED, that the peoples that Survival represents are naturists in every sense of the word and it is only right to help these tribal people the best we can. Please visit the Survival website to find out how to support this charity and the tribal people.

Survival International - The movement for tribal peoples

Caption Competition Of The Week

My Nudist Philosophy... [Submitted Article]

BY NAKED ANDY

To be human is to have a human body. To be ashamed of one’s body is to be ashamed of being human.

Photo copyright Nor-Cal Photography 2010.

For longer than I can remember, I have preferred to be naked. There are photos of my siblings and me as children, in which they wear pajamas and I am naked. There is an old home movie of us splashing in a wading pool; they wear swimsuits and I am naked. Evidently, a sense of freedom and joy at feeling uninterrupted air or water all over my skin has always been a part of who I am.

As a young man, I sought out situations where nudity was readily accepted (nude beaches) or — even better — required (modeling for art classes, performing nude scenes in plays). I had a few close friends with whom I could be socially naked, but, for the most part, I needed permission or an excuse to get out of my clothes; “Hey, they’re paying me.”

My body has grown less pretty as I have aged. Well, so has my face. So has my hair. Does this mean I should cover my face, and wear a hat at all times? If anything, the changes in my body have deepened my understanding that nudity is not the exclusive domain of the young and beautiful. Nudity is the default setting for all of us. It’s wrong to let ourselves be bullied or shamed into taking the action of hiding behind clothing. A society in which individuals are free to be as dressed or undressed as they wish would be my ideal.

Having learned to be more honest and unabashed about my desire to be nude in daily life, I seize or create opportunities to be clothes-free regardless of what the expected “norm” might be. Because I think nakedness should be okay, I tend to push the envelope in the spirit of Be the Change. Most of my public nudity takes place where it is neither illegal nor unheard of…. but, yes, there’s some envelope-pushing going on there, too.

Whether among friends…

…or in a crowd of strangers…

… I believe that being non-sexually naked among clothed folk has the potential to nudge them toward body acceptance.

Many onlookers, in person and online seem to respond to nudity with strictly prurient interest or as if it were a freak show… and I can’t control that. I hope that eventually, through osmosis, SOME of them may come to think that a human body is a perfectly natural thing which doesn’t ALWAYS mean sex, and which need not be hidden from view.

I'm proud to be a guest blogger on iNAKED. My own blog is @ http://ihavenoprivateparts.tumblr.com/

~ Naked Andy

Write For iNAKED

Got something to say? Something to review? News to discuss? Well we want to hear from you!

The iNAKED relies upon contributions from readers. It would make us exceedingly delighted indeed if you want to contribute anything to this site. iNAKED is a UK based blog on contemporary naturism, topfreedom, barefoot living and positive body image so we are concentrating on contributions relating to this. If you would like to put yourself forward to become a guest blogger, or recommend someone else for a slot, please do get in contact with us.

Please note we cannot pay for submissions at this time.

Read More.

Daniel Lorenz Johnson [Heroes Of iNAKED]

Daniel Lorenz Johnson (born May 24, 1974) is an American permaculturist, artist, activist, community organizer and writer who has worked for the advancement of various progressive/social liberalist causes through interdisciplinary, collaborative projects involving grassroots politics, media art and popular culture. While best known his work advocating for and organizing social nudity, events (with an emphasis of opportunities on public lands), his work also involves advocating human rights, ecological economics, environmental issues, naturopathic medicine, cannabis advocacy,[1]humanure composting [2] and benefits of shifting to a high plant-based, mostly raw vegan diet .[3]

Born in Seattle and raised on Mercer Island, Washington, an affluent part of the Puget Sound region. His mother was a private piano teacher and his father was a cryptographer stationed in Germany in the US Military during the Cold War. He has one older sister and one older brother.

Daniel's family traces its roots back to Germany, Sweden, Norway, England and other European countries. He is the 1st cousin, 10 times removed of George Washington through his 10th great grandmother Mary Montague.

He graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1992, Bellevue Community College (now Bellevue College), The Vancouver Film School in 1998 with a certificate degree in 3D Animation and Digital Effects as well as The University of Washington in 2000 with a B.F.A. degree in Fine Art (Photography) and Art (Interdisciplinary Visual Arts). At the UW he was active in the Laboratory for Animation Arts (LA2), Studio for Media Arts Research and Technologies Laboratory (SMART), Center for Advanced Research Technology in the Arts and Humanities (CARTAH) and the School of Music Computer Center (SMCC), programs which were later merged into the The Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) program. There he studied with Shawn Brixey, Paul Berger, Ron Carraher, Richard Karpen, David H. Salesin, Barbara Mones and Cassidy Curtis.

During his time in college he became interested in international politics and participating in the National Model United Nations in 1994 as a representative of Libya in the Human Rights Council in Manhattan and at the United Nations. Later he became a Co-coordinator of the Amnesty International Group 94[4] at the University of Washington. In addition to living in Seattle and Vancouver (1997–1998) he also lived in North Hollywood, Los Angeles for about a year in 2000.

After learning about clothing-optional activities on public lands and reading about The Freedom to be Yourself (TFTBY) campaign he briefly joined that campaign. In late 2001 and May 2, 2002 he received some brief publicity with activist Terri Sue Webb after two short public urban nude TFTBY protests with her in Portland and Bend, Oregon. At the latter protest, he was held in jail overnight after being arrested for disorderly conduct and interference with governmental administration (relating to Webb's trial appointment scheduled for the same day). The charges were later dropped. At that time Johnson became critical of the clothes free movement for failing to activate enough interest and advances in public lands advocacy.

In 2001 he co-founded The Body Freedom Collaborative (BFC) with Mark Storey. In 2003 Daniel Johnson helped organize World Naked Bike Ride events globally with Conrad Schmidt and other ride organizers that began to come forward. In 2005 he founded The Organic Living Party, a progressive political party based on the German Lebensreform movement. The party, together with the Work Less Party USA hosted the World Naked Bike Ride Seattle, co-founded by Johnson and Schmidt.

In 2006, Johnson founded Naked Pumpkin Run Seattle with the help of his friend Josh whom he knew from his college years living together in the University District. In 2007 and 2009 respectively he founded Hemp Ride and in 2009 co-founded the Gardens Everywhere Bike Parade with permaculture activist Kelda Miller,[5] two affiliated WNBR events designed as stand-alone events.

In Seattle he has helped in focused efforts to push for the development of clothing-optional city beaches. He co-founded two free beach groups in Seattle: the Seattle Free Beach Campaign and Magnuson Beach Bares as well as co-founding Seattle Swims and the NAC Seattle Swims, which is believed to be only the second such indoor swim organized at municipal pools facilities in the USA. In 2006, he came up with the idea of an election time event, which later became the Nude Beaches Yes! national campaign, a collaborative project primarily organized by the Naturist Action Committee, with support by BFC as well as other grassroots skinnydipping organizations around the country.

On July 29, 2006 he ran the entire length of the 5K UnitedHealthcare Torchlight Run at Seafair (celebrating its 30th anniversary) in Seattle wearing only bodypaint, socks and shoes in an attempt to encourage others to participate in a creatively adorned manner and to jumpstart a related event called the Jaybird Run.

In Spring of 2008, with the help of free beach advocates from around North America, Johnson help organize a community effort to lobby[6] the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners[7] to put pressure on the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation to look at the issue of creating more opportunities for clothing-optional recreation in Seattle. The plan was called "Citywide Clothing-optional Recreation Plan" and was presented to the Board of Park Commissioners on Thursday, May 8, 2008.[8] This also involved collaborative efforts with the Naturist Action Committee[9] to organize a grassroots effort to lobby during the Seattle Parks and Recreation Strategic Action Plan public input process, which resulted in 22 pages of positive support published in the "Seattle Parks and Recreation Strategic Action Plan - Summary of Public Feedback - Phase 2: Public Comment Report"[10]

In November 2008, Seattle Parks and Recreation attempted to propose a rule change banning nudity in all Seattle Parks & Recreation areas, with the exception of indoor rentals at City pools. Daniel led a collaborative effort with the help of the Naturist Action Committee[11] to successfully defeat the proposal in the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners meeting on November 13, 2008.[12][13] The Board not only rejected the proposed ban but also asked the Parks Department to look into creating areas for clothing-optional recreation on Seattle beaches, which was widely seen as a significant move in favor of and in lieu of the lobbying efforts of local skinny dippers and sunbathers.

On February 27, 2009 Johnson was involved in an auto-pedestrian accident in the Seattle Chinatown-International District. The elderly woman who was struck by Johnson later died. Johnson was cited for inattentive driving and fined. Johnson was on his way to "Bicycling: A Sustainable Choice", a presentation by Niels Tørsløv—Director, Traffic Department Technical and Environmental Administration for the City of Copenhagen at Seattle Central Library's Microsoft Auditorium.[14] Around the same time Cascade Bicycle Club was pushing for increased penalties for breaking traffic laws relating to accidents with vulnerable users with their support of Washington SB 5838.[15]

Johnson founded Raw Living Wiki and Naked.Wikia.com. He is the founding member of a collaborative effort known as Viretta Park Repair, a group that, according to its website, "aims to ecologically restore and repair Seattle's Viretta Park while preserving the park's mix of developed and natural areas through collaborative work parties and community building. Utilizing the principles of permaculture, the effort will create a park that serves both as an urban neighborhood escape as well as a destination to remember and celebrate the life of Kurt Cobain and the music of Nirvana with creative memorial installations that reflect both the character of the park and the creativity of the band and the dedication of fans that visit the park". Shortly after the first work party in 2011, he had to distance himself from the group's efforts due to opposition from neighbors regarding a Kurt Cobain memorial and Federal Wages and Hours laws.

Johnson grew up with a Christian (Evangelical Covenant Church) mother and originally an Assemblies of God Christian father who later became a follower of Meher Baba. Johnson considers himself a neocharismatic Christian aligned with Tierra Nueva, the Jesus Movement/Jesus Freaks, the Toronto Blessing and Christian leaders and writers such as Bob Ekblad, Francis MacNutt and Lonnie Frisbee.

While he has embraced some holistic, free-spirited and creative aspects of the new age (he has enjoyed Vladimir Megre's Anastasia/Ringing Cedars book series) and environmental movement (with an emphasis on permaculture), he is a critic of the new age movement, the occult, secret societies (Masons, Skull and Bones, Bohemian Grove), New World Order; world government (including Codex Alimentarius), big government (such as the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Federal Communications Commission), and is a proponent of various conspiracy theories aspects which aligns him such people as Alex Jones and Mike Adams (host of Natural News), while rejecting nationalistic, pro-USA viewpoints.

Influenced by Vincent Bethell of The Freedom to be Yourself, he also often rejects associations with labels. While at first notably rejecting associating by name with nudism and naturism he also rejects being associated with liberalism, libertarianism, right-wing conservatism and the new age movement while exhibiting sympathies with some aspects of those associations, which may make it difficult initially to summarize his beliefs.

Johnson's involvement in various media events is documented at Seattle Media Coverage page [1] and WNBR Seattle's coverage page [2].

• Active Nudists: Living Naked at Home and in Public (German Edition) by Richard Foley [3]. Shows pictures of some of Johnson's collaborative events as well as other events in the Pacific Northwest, such as the Solstice Cyclists.
• The Seattle Times Seattle Parks seeking to ban nudity By Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times staff reporter. Originally published November 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified November 13, 2008 at 8:59 AM. This city's famous tolerance for the unconventional just got a little less so. Here is a message from Seattle Parks and Recreation to all...
• KING-TV News Nudity in Seattle parks could become thing of the past November 13, 2008 - Did you know that it's not against the law to run around naked in a public park in Seattle? That could change under a new rule being proposed by Seattle City Parks. KING 5's Linda Byron reports. (Interviews with Seattle Police spokesperson, Daniel Johnson (WNBR), Joelle Ligon (Parks Dept.))
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer City weighs stripping nudists of bike ride By KERY MURAKAMI, P-I REPORTER. Thursday, November 13, 2008. Breaks the story of Seattle Parks & Recreation public nudity rule proposal, its relationship to WNBR Seattle. Quotes by Dewey Potter (Parks), Mark Storey (NAC), Daniel Johnson (WNBR). (Editor's Note: This story has been altered. Earlier versions, based on incorrect information from the Seattle Parks and Recreation department, inaccurately described described what happened to 23 nude bicyclists during a ride in July.)
• West Seattle Blog Two wheels, no clothes: Bicycling protesters in West Seattle Posted September 6, 2008
• Nude & Natural (N) magazine covered Benham Gallery and Seattle Art Museum visit in issue 28.2, Winter 2008. "Naked Cyclists' Artful Idyll" by Marie Gunn. Pages 61–62. Discussion of Daniel's idea to collaborate with Marita Holdaway of Benham Gallery in Seattle.
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer Under The Needle: Nudists fight for rights at city pool: A monthly dip in Ballard runs into a city lifeguard problem By MIKE LEWIS, P-I REPORTER. Last updated May 11, 2008 11:00 p.m. PT
• KIRO (AM) 710 (Seattle) News Talk Dori Monson Show: 5-12-08 12:00 pm–1:00 pm. Interview with Daniel Johnson (BFC) and Richard Cummings (President of Fraternity Snoqualmie).
• "Q13 FOX News at Ten" on KCPQ FOX."Local Group Wants Nude Beach in Seattle" May 1, 2008, 11:06 PM PDT. The TV version included interviews with Dewey Potter, an interview by Q13 FOX News Anchor Jennifer Cabala with Daniel Johnson and (not included in text version) two people interviewed at Magnuson Park who were supportive of clothing-optional beaches in Seattle.
• The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Blog Skinnydippers make new push for nude beaches. Posted by Monica Guzman at April 29, 2008 7:11 p.m.
• Q13 Fox News (10 PM) June 16, 2007. Story was regarding Colman Pool rental request by skinny dippers. Interview with Q13 Fox News reporte Roxeanne Vainuku was done with Daniel Johnson at Lincoln Park just off the upper south parking lot. They wanted to do a story trying to make sense of why the Solstice Cyclists are allowed by the City of Seattle to run around naked in a very public, open way with thousands of people watching and yet a proposal for a private evening skinny-dipper swim in a largely enclosed pool facility at Colman Pool has been rejected.
• Nude & Natural (N), Beyond Safe Havens: Oregon's Terri Sue Webb, By Daniel Johnson Issue 21.3, Spring 2002.[16]
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Exposed and stark naked—on purpose: But not all nudists support 'guerrilla' plans for prominent public exposure, by P-I reporter Kathy George, April 7, 2003.[17]
• Oregon Daily Emerald (student-run publication of the University of Oregon) "Naturists pursue active nude pastimes, locales: Naturist organizations such as Body Freedom Collaborative are working to promote nude activities in designated areas " by Ryan Bornheimer, May 20, 2003.[18]
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Trio behind the arts: Three activists put on an eye-opening display yesterday by taking most of their clothes off at the Fremont Fresh Art Festival, by P-I reporter Kathy George, 16 June 2003 Front page of local section, with color picture [19]
• Nude & Natural (N), Seattle's Solstice Spectacular/Body Positive Creativity Abounds... at the Fremont Summer Solstice Parade by John Cornicello & Daniel Johnson. Also Guerilla Nudity/Wave Makers: Introducting the Body Freedom Collaborative by Mark Storey. Issue 23.1, Autumn 2003.

References

1. ^ Guzman, Monica (August 17, 2009). "Why were there naked cyclists at Hempfest?". Blog.seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
2. ^ Daniel is a member of the Picardo Farm Composting Toilet Committee CTC)
3. ^ Raw Exuberance
4. ^ "Amnesty International Group 94, University of Washington". Students.washington.edu. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
5. ^ "Community | Naked Bike Riders make a scene in the name of permaculture". Ravenna Nation. Retrieved 2010-01-05.[dead link]
6. ^ "Skinnydippers make new push for nude beaches". Blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
7. ^ "Seattle Parks & Recreation: Board of Park Commissioners". Seattle.gov. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
8. ^ "Seattle Board of Park Commissioners - Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2008". Seattle Parks & Recreation. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
9. ^ "WA Seattle 04-28-08". Naturistaction.org. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
10. ^ "SAP Public Report 2.3 FD.doc" (PDF). Seattle Parks & Recreation. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
11. ^ "WA Seattle 11-14-08". Naturistaction.org. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
12. ^ "Seattle Board of Park Commissioners - Meeting Minutes - November 13, 2008". Seattle Parks & Recreation. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
13. ^ "Seattle Channel Video Player". Seattlechannel.org. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
14. ^ http://sustainableneseattle.ning.com/xn/detail/2516423:Event:2283? |title=Bicycling: A Sustainable Choice with Niels Tørsløv - Northeast Seattle Neighbors' Sustainability Network |publisher=Sustainable Northeast Seattle |date= |accessdate=2011-01-22}}
15. ^ http://www.cascade.org/advocacy/pdf/SB5835_summary.pdf |title=Protect Vulnerable Roadway Users: Support SB 5838 |publisher=Cascade Bicycle Club |date= |accessdate=2011-01-22}}
16. ^ ":: Naked Media Alliance ::". Bodyfreedom.org. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
17. ^ George, Kathy (2003-04-07). "Exposed and stark naked - on purpose". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
18. ^ "Naturists pursue active nude pastimes, locales". Oregon Daily Emerald. 2003-05-20. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
19. ^ George, Kathy (16 June 2003). "Trio behind the arts". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2010-01-05.

Daniel L Johnson (rawexuberance) on Twitter
hugelkultur's Channel - YouTube

SOUCRE: Daniel Lorenz Johnson - Wikipedia

Ilsley Boone [Heroes Of iNAKED]

The Rev. Ilsley Boone "Uncle Danny" (Born 1879 Brooklyn, NY; Died 1968 Whitehouse, OH)[1] was a charismatic speaker and powerful organizer and is the father of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), then called the American Sunbathing Association (ASA).

Little is known of Boone's early life. He graduated from Brown University in 1904, followed by the Newton Theological Institute three years later. Boone was originally ordained as a Baptist, but in 1921 became pastor of the Church of the Ponds (Dutch Reformed)[2] in Oakland, New Jersey.

Kurt Barthel had formed the American League for Physical Culture (ALPC), America's first nudist organization in 1930. A year and a half later, Boone became the ALPC’s Executive Secretary. Barthel soon asked him to take his place as president of the organization.

In 1931, Boone opened Sunshine Park in Mays Landing, New Jersey (near Atlantic City), and established the ASA national headquarters there. As a stickler to Barthel’s original ideals and behavior guidelines, "Uncle Danny" tightly controlled the management of each new club, and mandated the full natural regimen of abstinence (alcohol), calisthenics, mandatory nudity rain or shine, as well as vegetarianism for all club members and their guests.

Boone began producing the first nudist magazine in the U.S., The Nudist, in 1933, and later, Sunshine & Health under the Sunshine Publishing Company. Even with the genitals airbrushed out of the photos, the U.S. Postal Service decided the materials were obscene and couldn't be distributed through the U.S. mail. This fight was taken all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the Rev. Boone ultimately won the right to distribute nudist materials through the mail. This victory paved the way for not only legitimate nudist magazines and materials but also some of the more seedy versions and, eventually, Hugh Hefner's Playboy Empire.

By August 1951, Boone had been voted out as president of the ASA. A dozen years later, his Sunshine Publishing Company was out of business as well. Nearly broke, Boone spent the remainder of his years living in the Ohio home of National Nudist Council member Edith Church. He died on Thanksgiving Day in 1968.

>

Ilsley Boone

SOUCRE: Ilsley Boone - Wikipedia

Kurt Barthel [Heroes Of iNAKED]

Kurt Barthel is the father of the modern United States nudist movement. He began the American League for Physical Culture in 1929 with an ad, first in the leading German nudist magazines published in Berlin by Robert Laurer "Lichtland" (Light Land) and "Lachendes Leben" (Laughing Life), then later in a newspaper seeking like-minded folks. The first organized nudist outing was held on Labor Day 1929. There were seven people in attendance, three women and four men, all but one between the ages of 20 and 27. The first outing was held in the Hudson Highlands in upstate New York. The American League for Physical Culture was organized in the fall of 1929 and took part in the beginning of the American nudist movement. The members of the ALPC visited leased farms in Westchester County in the summer and participated in gymnastics in rented gymnasiums and pools in the city in winter.

About 1930 three members stepped out of the ALPC and formed their own groups, one of whom formed the American Gymnosophical Association which shortly thereafter leased Rock Lodge Club in Stockholm, New Jersey.[1] The American Sunbathing Association — now called the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) — was an outgrowth or spin off from ALPC.

Another who played a part in the United States nudist movement was Dr. Maurice Parmelee, who took part in the founding of the American Gymnosophical Association and published the 1927 book "The New Gymnosophy" in New York whose title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions. The first copies of the book were sold under the counter by a large reputable book seller in New York City.[2]
Barthel founded America's first official nudist camp, Sky Farm in New Jersey, in May, 1932 when nudists and nudism were not accepted at all by the American public, during the depression. Sky Farm continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.[3]

In a newspaper article it is stated that in 1933 the American League, having a post office box for a New York address, was buying a farm in New Jersey that had been visited and approved by the chief of police, but would not divulge its location and the American Gymnosophical Association, having an office in Manhattan, New York had leased land in the Catskills, New York and a 60-acre (240,000 m2) farm nearer to New York City.[4] The American Gymnosophical Associates had substantial foundation at Rock Lodge.[5] Rock Lodge Club continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.

References

1. ^ American Gymnosophical Association Statement-History,Purposeful Development and Physical Outlook by Katherine and Herman Soshinski-circa 1950 collection of Rock Lodge Club
2. ^ Adventures in Many Lands, Autobiographical Memoir of Maurice Parmelee, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
3. ^ Ellensburg Daily Record, Aug 2, 1932
4. ^ The Sunday Spartanburg Herald-Journal July 23, 1938
5. ^ International Nude-Land, December 1934, p. 30

SOUCRE: Kurt Barthel - Wikipedia

Facebook Nudity Ban Laid Bare [Topfreedom]

The rules Facebook uses to decide whether to censor users’ postings have been published for the first time, detailing its more liberal attitude to gore than to nudity.

A disgruntled former moderator has also told of how Facebook uses outsourced staff in developing countries to moderate the huge volume of material its users upload every day.

A document given to the staff of one third party content moderation firm tells them to delete “any OBVIOUS sexual activity, even if naked parts are hidden from view”. Meanwhile “deep flesh wounds are ok to show; excessive blood is ok to show” and “crushed heads, limbs, etc are ok as long as no insides are showing”.

“Slurs or racial comments of any kind” should be deleted, it says, but “humour overrules hate speech UNLESS slurs are used or humour is not evident”, meaning that comments reported to Facebook as hate speech should remain online if they are judged to be in jest and do not include racial slurs.

The rules are used by the third party firm to screen photographs, text and videos that have been “flagged” by one of Facebook’s 850 million users.

Until now, users have been forced to rely on Facebook’s relatively vague community standards to judge what it deems acceptable. On graphic content, the public page says "while we are a platform for sharing events that take place in your life and around the world, any inappropriately graphic content will be removed when found on the site."

The leaked rules for moderators are much more specific. For example, images of “urine, faeces, vomit, semen and ear wax” are banned, but images of "snot" are allowed, as are “cartoon faeces, urine and spit”.

Meanwhile depictions of illegal drug use should be deleted, moderators are told, except marijuana, “unless context is clear that the poster is selling/buying/growing”.

The rules were passed to the US gossip website Gawker.com by a disgruntled former employee of the third party firm, oDesk, who said the $1 per hour he received for screening Facebook photographs was “humiliating”.

The leak is likely to be seized on by critics of Facebook’s hitherto secret censorship policies. Last year it was forced to apologise for deleting a picture of a gay kiss, and it has long faced controversy over its ban on images of breastfeeding that include any part of a mother's nipple; last week a group of “lactivists” protested outside Facebook’s offices.

In response to the leak of its censorship rules, Facebook sought to reassure users their details were not being passed to third parties.

“In an effort to quickly and efficiently process the millions of reports we receive every day, we have found it helpful to contract third parties to provide precursory classification of a small proportion of reported content,” a spokesman said.

“These contractors are subject to rigorous quality controls and we have implemented several layers of safeguards to protect the data of those using our service.

“Additionally, no user information beyond the content in question and the source of the report is shared. We have, and will continue, to escalate the most serious reports internally, and all decisions made by contractors are subject to extensive audits.

"We are constantly improving our processes and review our contractors on an ongoing basis. This document provides a snapshot in time of our standards with regards to one of those contractors."

SOURCE: Telegraph

Louis Abolafia [Heroes Of iNAKED]

Louis Abolafia (1941 (Manhattan) - November 1995) was an artist who ran for President of the United States under the Nudist Party on the Hippie 'Love Ticket' various times in the 1960s and onward. He ran against Richard Nixon in 1968 as the naked Hippie "love candidate" with the slogan: "What Have I Got To Hide?" Abolafia had previously run in 1968 under the Cosmic Love Party, even then with the slogan "What have I got to hide?"



The son of a New York City florist, Abolafia coined the phrase, "Make love, not war!" and was part of the Greenwich Village art scene in the 1960s. In this capacity, he organized "love-ins" and "happenings" that combined music, poetry and audience participation, inspiring the New York press to crown him “The Love King.” He became a sort of hippie poster-boy.

He died of a drug overdose in 1995.

>

Louis Abolafia

Louis Abolafia - Wikipedia
The Talk of the Town: Abolafia for President : The New Yorker

Nudists Hope Aniston And 'Wanderlust' Give Resorts A Boost [Showbiz]

In the new movie Wanderlust, opening Friday, Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd play a cash-strapped Manhattan couple who opt for the hippie life at a nudist club in Georgia, where free love reigns and bathrooms and bedrooms lack doors.

And, naturally, the American Association for Nude Recreation is hoping the film gives 'nakations' a new round of exposure.

According to the association's blog, scenes were filmed near Georgia's Paradise Valley (about 45 minutes outside Atlanta) and Serendipity Park, and club members were used as extras.

"The movie is great fun. The nudists were on screen for only approximately 10 to 20 seconds, at least it seemed to be a short time anyway," notes one of those extras, Randy Savage. "It did not present any negative connotations regarding nudists at all ... I believe it will do very well, especially because it shows explicit nudity, including full frontal males (myself included). My son and daughter-in-law attended with us and gave the movie very high marks."

"Much has been made of Jennifer Aniston's nude scene in the film, although it was left on the cutting room floor and the scene that remains shows only implied nudity," the blog adds. "However, in many articles over the last two weeks, the actress said that after feeling briefly uncomfortable, she found nudity 'liberating.'"

Maybe. But don't expect the actress to book a stay at the type of resort depicted in Wanderlust. As Aniston told USA TODAY's Andrea Mandell, she couldn't comply with two big rules: "It's a tossup between the free love and no doors on the bathrooms."

SOUCRE: USATODAY.com

How Nudism Can Save You Money [Home & Garden]

By Nathan Powers

Nudists (or “naturists” as some prefer to be referred to), have been the brunt of many a joke for many years. However, the truth of the matter is that living a nudist lifestyle may actually be far better for you, physically, ecologically and economically.

That dirty word – “Laundry”: Let’s start with the obvious. Nudists tend to wear as little clothing as possible, usually nothing at all, as often as possible or whenever conditions allow. Most live in climates that are tropical enough to maximize this opportunity. Wearing less clothing means washing less clothing and washing the clothing that they own less frequently, requiring the repair and replacement of clothing less often. They also tend to have less of a wardrobe, requiring less storage space. So here, we are seeing a saving in money spent on laundry detergents, gas and electricity to operate a washer and dryer, replacement clothing and repair costs, home closet or storage space. We also see less chlorine, phosphates, ozone and carbon dioxide pumped into the environment as well as a reduction in health issues related to exposure to the chemicals needed for properly washing clothing. (Chlorine bleach is one of the deadliest chemicals we can expose ourselves to).

Cooling Down: Since for practicality reasons, most nudists live in either tropical or subtropical regions, many homes and businesses in those regions have some form of air conditioning. Nudists can save money and as in the case of laundry, the environment, by being able to turn up the thermostat a few degrees and allowing the natural cooling system provided in our bodies to do it’s job. Also, if things get a little too hot, it is very easy to simply jump in a cool shower or hose off for a second or two with having to take the time to get undress and redressed. Besides, who wants to throw those sweaty clothing back on right after a shower.

Health Costs: There are other bonuses as well. It has recently been found that exposure to natural sunlight is far healthier to the human body than attempting to hide from the sun altogether. Regulated exposure to natural sunlight lets the body naturally produce all of the Vitamin “D” it needs to ward off a host of deadly and debilitating diseases, cancers and conditions, including MS, ALS, osteoporosis, breast, ovarian, prostate and brain cancers. (source) Even more recent reports indicate that almost all sunscreens are completely ineffective in reducing the deadliest forms of cancer, melanoma (source). Several reports indicate that the ingredients used to manufacture sunscreens are actually more harmful that the cancers they purport to prevent. However, by balancing the ratio of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, combined with an adequate amount of Vitamin “D”, incidence of melanoma has shown to be reduced by around 40% (source). It is therefore better to gradually expose the body to the sun, slowly building up our body’s own natural sunscreen, melanin, being careful not to get sunburned in the process.

The bottom line is that nudists can save a ton of money by not buying sunscreen, simply exposing themselves to natural sunlight in appropriate amounts; there by creating Vitamin “D” for free and by simply eating a diet that balances omega 3 acids. This can be done through supplement or through adding fish, flax or kiwi fruit to their diets. The real savings come from not having to pay medical bills for treatments for all of the conditions.

Stuff: Nudism is often referred to as the “Great Equalizer”. When people are naked around other people, it is difficult to tell if a person is the president of a bank, or a school janitor. Consequently, nudists tend to be far less “class-conscious”. Nudists are typically less likely to want to keep up with the Joneses, realizing that not only do clothes not really make the man, but neither do homes, cars, boats etc.

More Health – Less Stress – More Money: Studies have also found that children raised in nudist homes tend to be more socially developed (and often more intelligent) than those raised in “textile” families. Nudists generally feel that they have nothing to hide. That attitude permeates the rest of their psyche as well, so they tend to be less stressed out and more sure of themselves. We have probably all heard about the health problems produced by living under stress. Nudists save money by not having to treat as many stress related disorders. (source – pdf format) Also, by being more self confident, and supposedly better educated, they are more likely to get better jobs, making more money.

Society: Those same group of studies indicated that children raised in nudist homes are less inclined to become burdens to society. They are less likely to become involved in early sexual or drug experimentation or to commit crimes against society. This is partially because they are not as materially oriented and because they are already familiar with the looks and workings of the opposite sex. In general, nudity allows them to be more open and honest in their family life, which is expressed in how they relate to others in general. Nudists save money by not having to bail their children out of jail, take them to the doctors to treat sexually transmitted diseases or help them raise unwanted grandchildren (as frequently). If all families raised their children with the same attitudes as nudists, we would all be able to save money by having to pay less in taxes to support fewer children of unwanted pregnancies, drug addicts, juvenile delinquents, vandalism, etc.

SOUCRE: Saving Advice

What Can I Say To Passers-By If They Make A Comment About Me Being Barefoot In Public? [How-To]

If it's just a comment, ignoring them is always an option. If they ask a question, ignoring them is still an option. However, being polite usually helps and some barefooters have gotten into some interesting conversations. Maybe you can even make a few converts!

The responses (in italics) get nastier or weirder the farther down the list they are. It depends on your mood at the time. (Some of the responses can be used in response to more than one comment.)

Hey – did someone steal your shoes?

Of course not … but if it's any consolation, you're not the first person to ask. Actually, you're not even the 100th. This question seems to be the universal calling card for smart-alecks trying to be hilarious. Next question.

So why do you do it? The short reason is, it's pretty fun. There's something inherently joyful about running around shoeless; it's like pushing a magic 'boost' button to amplify the childlike pleasure of running by a magnitude of 100. Some people do it after a history of injuries with shoes, and others try it to give the muscles of their feet and lower legs a unique workout – but for most of us, it's all about the joy.

But doesn't it hurt?

Yes … and no. Barefoot running takes a LOT of getting used to, and you have to start in very small doses. When you first begin, you'll feel every little crack and pebble in the road, and 99% of them will be uncomfortable. Even after a year, there are definitely some surfaces I try to avoid at all costs – gravel fire roads and chip and seal asphalt come to mind – because they just hurt too much. After a while, your feet grow resilient to a variety of surfaces, from asphalt to concrete to grass and groomed trails, but there's always an additional caution factor that barefoot runners exercise.

Aren't you afraid of broken glass?

This is far and away the most common 'You're gonna shoot your eye out!' warning barefoot runners hear. Certainly we're concerned about broken glass, as well as rusty nails or pieces of scrap metal – but those hazards aren't nearly as common as some people imagine, and you'd be amazed at how effective your eyes are at spotting trouble spots on the road before you get there.

Do you get blisters?

Yes … and no. New barefoot runners will certainly develop a few blisters when they get started; they're your body's built-in warning system to ensure that you progress gradually to prevent long-term injury. Experienced barefoot runners eventually become more resistant to blisters – the soles of your feet become a bit leathery – but even so, we'll often get blisters if we run a lot farther or faster than usual.

Don't your feet get cold?

In some conditions, sure. It's much harder to be a barefoot runner in the winter than in the summer. A handful of hardcore folks run barefoot in snow or freezing temperatures, but the vast majority of us spend the cold seasons in various types of minimalist footwear – no heel, no cushion – like Vibram FiveFingers, Soft Star moccasins, or other styles from other manufacturers. Thankfully, minimalist options are growing like crazy, and it's not very hard to find some basic foot coverings to get you through the winter. But when you're fortunate enough to live on the Monterey Peninsula, the climate is amenable to barefoot running almost year-round, so you've got plenty of opportunities to give it a try!

You're barefoot!

You're not!
You're observant!
You're right!
Thanks for the tip.
No shit, Sherlock.
Why aren't you wearing shoes?
Don't like 'em.
They make my feet sweat/stink.
My feet like the fresh air.
My feet were hot.
One less thing to do in the morning.
Why aren't you wearing gloves [hat]?
To annoy people like you.
Why do you care?
I'm allergic to them
I'm not wearing a tie either.
I'm off-duty.
I'm opposed to wasting petrochemicals/leather.
I'm performing a scientific foot-toughening experiment.
If I don't keep in contact with the ground, I build up a static charge.
My feet were jealous of my hands.
I'll give you three-thousand guesses.
They are a conspiracy by multi-national plastic and leather merchants.
I knew I had forgotten something!
Why are you barefoot?
I like the way it feels.
It's much more comfortable.
I think it looks cool.
I want to toughen my feet.
It's good for my feet.
Because feet are beautiful.
It gives me this wonderful feeling of freedom.
I want keep in touch with the earth.
Because I'm not wearing shoes [duh!].
Try and work it out.
Because I m not concerned with your contempt.
Dunno.
Because you don't pay my salary.
I'm in a time-warp from the '60s.

Where are your shoes?

At home [where they belong].
I don't know. [Have you seen them?]
Somewhere else.
What do you mean? These are God's Reeboks.
On vacation.
Don't have any.
My what?
What are shoes?
Up there. [Said while pointing up.]
Aliens took them.

Aren't your feet cold?

Not unduly.
No...My feet are COOL!
Obviously not.
Aren't your feet hot
Nice shoes.
Thanks.
Very comfortable too.
Do you like them? My parents made them for me.

10 Tips On How To Go Topfree On The Beach [How-To]

The answer to how to go topfree on the beach during your summer holiday may appear obvious but there is alot more to consider than simply baring all the moment you arrive on the beach (guys out there please bear this in mind, pun intended). For some women this may be the norm but for others it might be something that has always been in the back of your mind and never quite had the confidence to go for it. Well, however you feel about it, here is how anyone can go topfree on the beach this summer.

1. – Check your destination. Depending on which beach, in which country, you are at this summer will determine whether or not you actually can go topfree on the beach. For some countries this will be an extremely arrestable offence and will most certainly ruin your holiday.

2. – Don’t compare yourself. We have all seen those toned, super tanned women who walk tall down the beach without a care in the world wearing nothing but a bright pink thong bikini. If were weren’t all too scared to be seen within 5 metres of this creature we would have asked here how she managed that enviable figure. Reality is, most of us will not ever look like that so go and get that cocktail and enjoy the sun.

3. – Consider who you are on the beach with. If it’s with your partner of your friends, go for it. If it’s with your teenage children, consider their feelings first. The teenage years really can be hard enough.

4. – Be discreet. By this I mean, get yourself settled and discreetly get them out. Wipping off your top with a ‘woohoo’ the moment you step foot on the sand isn’t really necessary.

5. – Try not to blush when someone speaks to you. So easier said than done especially for us Brits!

6. – Reapply the sunscreen often. For assets that perhaps are not exposed to sunlight often they need that extra bit of tender love and care or you shall be suffering the painful consequences for the rest of your holiday.

7. – Explain clearly to your partner that it is for tanning purposes only and is not, as he may believe, foreplay.

8. – “I don’t like the idea of men looking at you” Don’t let this stop you, simply ask if he looks a women who are topfree on the beach and when he says no tell him he, therefore, has nothing to worry about.

9. – If you need a few glasses of wine in order to strip off it may be best to leave it for this year. A little bit of dutch courage goes along way but you do run the risk of becoming a little too confident.

10. – Lastly, enjoy yourself. Going topfree on the beach not meant to be stressful. If it’s not for you, you still going to look gorgeous whatever you are wearing.

How To Start Barefoot Hiking [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

In 2001, two sisters hiked the Appalachian Trail. Barefoot![1] But surprisingly, barefoot hikers aren't necessarily thrill-seekers. They're better described as sensation-seekers, with some comparing it to the foot's equivalent of wine tasting.[2] With practice and attentiveness, your feet can adapt to the great outdoors, and anyone can experience a hike in a whole new way. Here is a suggested approach for the beginning barefoot hiker.

Steps

• Spend some time in your front or back yard barefoot. Try a variety of surfaces. Take your time, look around and flex your toes gratefully. If you have some local streets, parks or nature centers that are appropriate (not too much traffic or litter) you can extend your pre-conditioning to those areas.
• Try to interpret the new sensations as just that: new sensations. At first, the unfamiliar textures overwhelm the tactile senses. The first ten minutes or so for a beginning barefooter can be the most difficult. You will be in a process of adjustment. Most find that after this time (sometimes just as they were about to give up), the going became considerably easier.
• Always step straight down. Never allow your bare feet to kick, shuffle, or drag along the ground. It is lateral movement that produces the great majority of risk of cutting from any sharp surfaces.
• Always watch the path ahead. Stop if you want to take a good look at something off the path. When your bare feet are in motion, focus most often on the part of the path two to three paces in front. This practice will become very important when you hike on stony or uneven terrain. You should definitely start on your first day of barefoot hiking even if you are on the mildest of trails.

• • Being a matter of sensory coordination, much like catching a ball, this is a skill that develops mostly on a subconscious level, but you can consciously help it along along by contemplating the fact that you are learning to coordinate two of your senses: the sight of your eyes and the newly discovered tactile sensitivity of your bare soles.

• Keep your weight on the balls of your feet and not on your heels. Within comfortable limits, try to keep more weight on the forward part of your foot, for a longer time during the course of each step, than might previously been your habit.

• • The ball of the foot is supple and yielding, yet tough and resilient. It is the part where most of the weight of the body (in motion) should be borne. Notice how broad this part of the foot is and how much larger an area it presents to the ground than the heel. Feel how flexible it is, how the toes and metatarsals can move up and down independently to mold to the contour of the earth. This is what allows the ball to absorb shock so much better than the heel.

• Develop habits of awareness. You must never forget you are going barefoot so always devote a part of your attention to your bare soles. Be careful and deliberate as you rotate and maneuver your feet around obstacles. You should be ready to retract a step if you don't like the feeling of what you are stepping on.

• • Occasionally, you will step on something pointy even though you looked carefully before placing your foot. If it's too late to retract a step, quickly shift the weight onto other parts of your foot (heel --> ball, and so on). As you become more conditioned, this will be less of a problem since your soles will be thicker and the (now stronger and more agile) muscles and tendons of your feet will be more adapted to rapid re-configuration.

• Select a short trail with a variety of surfaces for your first barefoot hike. If there is a gravel lead-in, consider the end of the gravel as the beginning of the hike. Later, short to medium sections of gravel will be just another texture to you. When you have finished your first day, your feet may seem sore. One of the best things about barefoot hiking is the vibrant, tough and resilient feeling that comes into the feet over the next one or two days as this soreness dissipates.
• Continue short hikes about once or twice a week. You'll find that you'll be able to go further and on rougher trails as time passes. "Mileage" will vary, but typically by following the above regimen, you should be able to do four or five miles on easy to medium trails within a month or so. If you take the time to find small-grade gravel paths in local city parks and work out on them, the toughening process can be accelerated considerably.

Video


Two people make it to the summit of Mt. Whitney barefoot. Mt. Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).[3]

Tips

• If you are still unsure about barefoot hiking, look into a pair of "FiveFingers" as made by the Vibram company. These will allow you to feel much of the terrain under your feet, and offer protection from the worst of what you're walking on.
• It's a good idea to take along a friend who is either an experienced barefoot hiker or is willing to try along with you. If that's impossible, then go alone and take this introduction along as your companion. Until you have developed confidence in your bare feet, delay accompanying otherwise shod groups as a lone barefooter.
• Bring a pair of thongs (flip flops or jandals) to cross small sections of trail which are very painful.
• On your first few jaunts, you will spend more time than usual examining the ground in front of you for hazards. This is natural (you will also notice some things you had never seen before), but over time you will find that you need to look down less often and that on many surfaces a periodic glance will suffice. As your feet thicken and strengthen, with confidence and technique building, the tension and alarm you may have felt earlier will dissipate.
• Did you ever get too much wax (or some water) in your ear for a while, and then when you got it out, the world seemed really LOUD. Perhaps, when you first take your shoes off, the ground is too "loud." It's like listening to a lot of uncomfortable noise. After a while, your body adjusts and you begin to "hear the music."
• If you work your way up to long-distance barefoot hiking, it's a good idea to wash your feet at the end of each hiking day, massage them, and treat them with a strong salve. You can make the salve yourself: gently heat equal parts olive oil and beeswax in a glass bowl in the oven. When the beeswax melts, stir it into the olive oil. Pour the salve into small tins or jars and allow it cool. You can apply the salve when you get to camp, then wear socks and camp shoes for the evening, or you can put it on just before you go to bed. This will keep the soles of your feet from developing painful cracks, when the thick leather-like skin gets too dry. This is a good trick for people who hike long-distance in sandals, too.
• Trekking poles (used correctly) are very helpful for barefoot hiking. You can instantly take weight off a foot that has landed on something sharp or painful, or push harmful things away from your feet as you walk. For regular hikers frustrated by the slower pace of barefoot hiking, poles may offer a compromise pace that is only slightly slower than "motoring" down a trail in shoes.

Warnings

• Please consult a qualified medical professional before attempting barefoot hiking. Certain conditions (like diabetes and peripheral neuropathy) may cause small lesions to heal more slowly or not heal at all. This type of activity might not be recommended under these circumstances.
• Know how to avoid nettles, thistles, and any plants which will make your feet sting or itch.
• It is not advisable to go barefoot on farms, in tropical countries, or in shared camp or hostel showers, because of the risk of tetanus and parasitical infections.
• Beware of scorpions, snakes, ants and other potentially dangerous animals that may sting or bite. A sting or bite in your foot will most certainly take all the fun out of hiking barefoot for you and, possibly, your entire group.

Sources and Citations

• East Bay Barefoot Hikers - Original source, shared with permission.
• "The Barefoot Hiker" by Richard Frazine. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 0-89815-525-8. Some of the material in this article was adapted from this book.

• ↑ http://www.barefoothikers.org/barefoot-sisters.html
• ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/22/travel/escapes/22hike.html?8dpc
• ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Whitney

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start Barefoot Hiking. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Start Barefoot Running [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Shoes are supposed to protect our feet and improve performance, but evidence suggests that running barefoot uses 4% less energy than running with shoes on, and that people who run barefoot are less likely to get running-related injuries.[1] Also, many running champions have won races and broken records barefoot: Abebe Bikila, Bruce Tulloh, Charlie "Doc" Robbins, Zola Budd, etc.[2]
If you're interested in making the transition to running barefoot, you may think it's just a matter of taking off your shoes. In reality, you may have picked up habits that aren't effective with barefoot running. This article will give some techniques that will help you to do it properly.

Steps

• Start with thirty minutes of barefoot activity a day for 3-4 weeks.[3] This will give your feet a chance to develop thicker skin for running at higher speeds and for longer times. Start by just walking, then jogging, then running, but limit the activity to thirty minutes a day at first. If you transition too quickly, you may develop plantar fasciitis.[4]

• • Walk for a few minutes to allow your feet to get familiar with the surface. Tarmac and concrete roads work well. Grass - unless finely manicured - does not work well as the surface can be uneven with clumps and roots.
• • Bounce on your feet like a boxer. Repeat 3 times. This will relax your metatarsals and calves.
• • Exercising your ankles and feet will help with the transition as well. See How to Strengthen Your Ankles

• Make minimalist running shoes if it's cold outside, or you're concerned about your feet getting cut, but really it is best if you don't have to use these minimalist shoes. They are basically reinforced socks and you'll lose many of the sensations of barefoot running. You can also purchase minimalist running shoes that look much like gloves for your feet. They're not the same as ultralight running shoes, which have arch support and a padded heel.[5]
• Watch ahead, but don't look down. One of the most common doubts people have about barefoot running is "What about stepping on sharp stuff?" and the most common answer is "Use your eyes. That's what they're for."

• • Scan the ground ahead of you for any sharp objects that you should avoid, but don't look down at the ground right in front of your feet. Not only is that bad form, but it doesn't give you enough time to smoothly avoid stepping on something.
• • Even if you're wearing minimalist running shoes, you should still be aware of where your feet are going. Don't zone out like you do when wearing shoes. Practice mindfulness.

• Pay attention to your form.

• • Keep the head, neck and back straight. No slouching. Lift the chest and allow the shoulders to relax.
• • Keep your head high and keep looking forward. Relax your eye gaze to the horizon line. If you can't relax your eyegaze, then pick something in the distance to focus on and keep looking at it.
• • Bend your knees a bit. You should feel your weight come off of your heels. Bend the knees about 4-5 degrees, and lean forward 4-5 degrees. Keep the knees bent as much as you can. This will minimize the possibility of landing heel first.
• • Push your hips forward gently. You should lead with your hips, not your head or shoulders.
• • Counterbalance. Keep your hips rotating with your legs, and your shoulders in the opposite direction.
• • Keep your feet under your center of balance. No wobbling side to side.

• Take shorter strides. When people wear shoes with thick heels, they tend to lengthen their strides and land on their heels. When you're barefoot, however, you'll probably find yourself naturally taking smaller strides, and landing on the outside middle or ball of your foot. This allows your foot to absorb shock better.[4]
• Lift your feet more quickly, and earlier than regular running. You should be lifting your back foot before the front foot completely lands.
• Don't stop abruptly, the way most do when they are wearing shoes. To stop, straighten the lean and straighten the knees and you will naturally come to a stop.

Tips

• When there is a lot of broken glass on the ground, slow down and switch from watching out for shards to watching out for clear spots where you can safely touch down.
• Lawns or sandy beaches are good places to start practicing. Tarmac is a little harder on the feet, followed by gravel, and then pebbles.
• Deep or soft sand is great for a tougher workout.
• After running, your calves will need a bit of a massage as they get a workout. There should be no bruises or abrasions on your soles. If you have any abrasions, lean a little more, bend the knees a little more.
• Always stay hydrated when doing any exercise.
• Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Warnings

• Be very careful when choosing where to run barefoot. Do not choose any areas that you don't know well. Watch for sharp objects. It is preferable to run on tracks - indoor or outdoor - where the risk of injury to your feet is minimised.
• Avoid pebbled surfaces - it's easy to injure yourself even if you're already well practiced.

Things You'll Need

• A safe place to run
• Water to stay hydrated

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Cool Weather Minimalist Running Shoes
• How to Run

Sources and Citations

• ↑ http://sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm
• ↑ http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-240-319--6728-0,00.html
• ↑ Robbins S, Gouw G, McClaran J, Waked E (1993). Protective sensation of the plantar aspect of the foot. Foot and Ankle 14, 347-352
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/barefoot/
• ↑ http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-05/running-barefoot

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start Barefoot Running. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Naturist Etiquette 101 [How-To]

Naturism is built on respect - for fellow naturists, for non- naturists, and for the environment. Naturists have a few simple rules of etiquette; read them, and remember that the respect is mutual:

1 Naturists are not, generally, masochists, so if it is too cold to be naked naturists wear clothes. Conversely, if it is warm enough to be naked, many/most naturists will want to be so, whether indoors or out - though there are many people who enjoy swimming and sun-bathing naked but prefer to be clothed at other times or for other activities. It's a matter of personal choice.

2 The practice at most naturist locations for total nudity to be the norm throughout the day and wherever possible. Sometimes for some naturist locations, it is expected that naturists are clothed in the evenings/night in the public areas, restaurants, bars or club houses. On the other hand, it is expected that no bathing costumes are worn in the pools if there is one.

3 The normal naturist etiquette is ALWAYS to have a towel to sit on, not necessarily to cover up with. This is for reasons of hygiene and, frankly, consideration of friends' or the naturist location's chairs and seats - protecting others from suntan oils, sweat etc.

4 Do not go out of established nude areas. To wander nude into a clothed beach or parking area will offend many.

5 The normal naturist etiquette is not to indulge in any overtly sexual behaviour in a public place - no different from textile etiquette. In the unlikely event of becoming sexually aroused, a naturist would be expected to turn away or cover up to avoid embarrassing anyone, including himself.

6 Photography is only permissible in a naturist resort if the explicit permission of people appearing in the photographs and who could be recognisable is obtained by the photographer - most naturists, like everyone else, like to preserve their privacy and to decide for themselves whether and where any photographs of them or their families appear.

7 Speak up for standards. If a person seems unaware of proper naturist etiquette, explain politely and plainly.

8 There is no need to worry that you may unwittingly break the rules - observing what others do, or asking their advice, will put you on the right tracks - and remember, naturist communities are generally very friendly and, unless you behave outrageously, you will quickly be accepted into the community. Just relax!

9 When you arrive at a naturist location, you should make yourself comfortable. Start removing all your clothing at once, but make sure you're comfortable and that you appear comfortable. Then relax and enjoy the experience - don't be tense and edgy.

10 Last but not least "Be Yourself", your first visit is a special one and maybe your first step and we want you to remember it! Once you are comfortably nude and enjoying yourself, it's easy to be friendly and approachable. Do not just sit off in a corner by yourself - walk around, chat, get to know people. If people do not want to talk to you, you will know, but a lot of naturists are very friendly and enjoy meeting new people. Go for it!

How To Start Going Barefoot [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

If you ever have wanted to start going barefoot but don't know how to start here is a guide to get you started.

Steps

• Figure out the reason why you want to go barefoot. Is it healthier feet, more natural feet, or just the feeling of freedom.
• Start slowly, the best way to start is to just go barefoot at home to get your feet used to being open and free.
• Start walking on smooth texture concrete, this will help you get your feet a little bit calloused.
• Start walking on rougher surfaces such as asphalt but try not to do this during the summer day. It gets very hot.
• Start challenging yourself a little more just by walking over some gravel for a very short time.
• Start going on good length walks over rough surfaces will callous your feet to a whole new level.
• Go everywhere barefoot, some store will not let you in but most will accept it, and check with your employer to see if it is okay to go barefoot during the workday.

Tips

• Just go slow, your biggest enemy is your own enthusiasm.
• Enjoy the feeling.
• Take peoples comments as compliments or just ignore them.
• Try to get more people to go barefoot so they can also enjoy going barefoot.

Warnings

• Look for broken glass when walking at first since this may cut your foot
• Watch out for needles, some needles may be infected with HIV or AIDs

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start Going Barefoot. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.