What is Naturism?

Naturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism. The naturist philosophy has several sources, many of which can be traced back to the health and fitness philosophy in Germany in the early twentieth century, though the concept of returning to nature, and creating equality are also cited as inspiration. More recently, clothes-free beaches and other types of anonymous nudist activities have served those who wish to take part in naturist activities without belonging to any clubs. According to the international definition adopted by the XIV Congress of the International Naturist Federation (Agde, 1974), naturism is:
"a lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment."[
Nudism is the act of being naked, while naturism is a lifestyle which embraces nature, environment, respect for others, self-respect, crafts, healthy eating, vegetarianism, non-smoking, yoga, physical exercise as well as nudity.
General naturist principles include, rapport with animal life — having an ecological conscience; rapport with the environment — being an environmentalist, bathing in the sun, fresh air and water; healthy food — moderation with alcohol, meat, tobacco, drugs; eating health foods and adopting healthy eating to prevent obesity. incorporating Vegetarian, Vegan or Fruitarian eating habits., agriculture — avoiding unnecessary fertilizers and genetically modified organisms, medicine — should be natural if not entirely homeopathic; psychotherapy — as a way of effecting personal changes, rapport with other humans — equality and respect , pedagogy — children should be respected as equals instead of being patronized, spirituality — man is more than an animal, dress — nudism, as clothes are unnecessary, unheathly and build social barriers, sports — to develop a healthy body, arts — should be to develop individual talents, tourism — to understand other peoples' culture, concentrating on camping to remain close to Earth.
To be quite clear: Naturism is not about public sex, exhibitionism, voyeurism, pedophilia, exploitation, or any other type of sexual behavior. Nudity and sex are not one and the same. Consider the sexual connotations of modern swimwear many swimsuits now expose so much skin that they encourage lust for that little bit you don’t get to see. In naturist settings, they simply go nude, and do not create a sexual atmosphere around it.
Nudism is often practiced in a person's home or garden, either personally or with members of the family. Individual nudism can also include sleeping in the nude. This is seen as a health benefit, due to the fact that, when naked in bed, it can be much easier to relax and fall asleep, resulting in longer and more restful sleep. Social nudism is nudism in a social context, either at ones home with friends or with acquaintances at a nudist event or facility, such as a naturist club, community, centre, resort or other facility.
Naturism encourages acceptance of our bodies, improving relations between people, and fighting unhealthy attitudes such as shame and self-loathing. Naturists enjoy recreation without clothes, such as swimming, hiking, and other fun activities.
Naturism has a history as long as that of humanity itself. Our ancestors also appreciated the joy of skinny-dipping. The people who preceded us on this continent wore little if any clothing; what they did wear was for protection against the elements. We lost touch with this way of life due to the increasing industrialization of the Western world and the detachment from nature that came with it. We use clothing not for practical purposes, but for classifying others and ourselves. Uniforms not only denote status, but also serve as a way of separating ourselves from people of different status. Naturism encourages us to respect and accept our bodies. When we are nude with others, we can see that we are not abnormal, and that there is beauty in every body.
Naturism encourages us to relate to people as people, not as uniforms. It removes artificial distinctions between classes of people and allows them to really get to know each other for who they are, not what they wear.
Naturists enjoy sports and outdoor activities, such as swimming, volleyball, and hiking, biking, camping and canoeing. More than anything, they enjoy getting together with other naturists. Naturists want the same things most communities do: to be appreciated and respected for what they do, and to be thought of favorably and with understanding.