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

How To Practice Nudity In Your Family [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Despite the good intentions of many parents, prohibiting household nakedness can have negative consequences for children. In our media saturated urbanised world, children like this are primed with an appetite for nudity related subject matter (of which most is unhealthy.) It takes a bit of work for the affected parent, but you can get over this and help your children to avoid some of these pitfalls of modern living. Fortunately as a parent you have the unique opportunity to provide a healthy environment for nakedness right in the refuge of your own home. Disclaimer: The purpose here is not to promote public nudity as a method for this How To; quite the contrary (see Warnings section below). This guide is intended primarily as a tool for parents who want to teach their children a wholesome understanding of human nakedness. This How To is intended primarily for use by parents in their home.

Steps

• Encourage family nudity without being abnormal. Young children have not yet acquired a sophisticated understanding of modesty, and really don't care who sees them naked. This is the time when the parent can mould their conscience without making them self-conscious of nakedness. This, in turn, will help children associate nakedness to routine activity instead of exclusively naughty activity, helping illicit forms of nakedness to lose their appeal later in life.
• Allow your children - from birth - to see you in ordinary nude situations (e.g.- dressing, bathing or showering, using the toilet) or any activity where nudity is a natural part. By being comfortable with your own body you will naturally convey the message to your children that nudity really is okay and not something to fear. There are naturally times in life when clothes must be worn for protection, for comfort, and to adhere to societal norms. However, by talking with your children about being comfortable with nudity at home, your children will grow up understanding that being nude & being seen nude at home isn't something "uncool, horrible, and utterly embarrassing."
• Start allowing/encouraging family nudity during potty training & continue through the school age years and beyond. You'd be surprised how quickly potty training takes root when your toddler/preschooler is allowed to go bare at home, but...be prepared for occasional "accidents" as well, and handle these situations calmly without anger or revulsion.
• As they begin to recognise differences between themselves and you or your spouse, explain to them the reason for these differences. Suggested explanations are: "Mommy's breasts are for giving milk to babies like when you were small"? or "Mommy and daddy have hair down here because our bodies are warmer, and it helps keep our bodies cooler (by retaining sweat)."

Tips

• A focal point for nudity that enables the whole family to participate together is very helpful. An indoor swimming pool is ideal, but not practical for most families. Saunas are also excellent for this, but are not as common in the U.S. as Europe. Other water related ideas could be an outdoor pool below or above ground. A cheaper yet more practical idea that works year round would be a hot tub. Children see this as a heated kiddie swimming pool they can use water toys in too.
• A great side benefit to wholesome understandings of the naked body in the home is that when the time comes to explain human reproduction, there will be less tension from the children. They will not have the distraction of embarrassment when discussing (what for others can be) 'shameful' body parts. This in turn, will keep the communication lines open during adolescence.
• There are many great books on pregnancy and adolescence that separate the romantic (i.e. sexual) aspect from the physiological changes of puberty. These books provide a very neutral clinical look at breast and pubic hair growth during the teen years, and include very candid photos of actual births. Influences like these help separate nudity from sex in the child's mind, and provide a framework where family nudity can flourish to the benefit of all.
• Realise that not all shame is bad shame. Good shame is ingrained to help us avoid compromising situations. But other shame is the result of social conditioning during childhood, and unnecessarily predisposes us to clothes compulsiveness.
• Respect others' standards. One good approach is to point out that other people are not accustomed to nudity, and it's kind to respect their wishes. This may mean keeping the curtains drawn, or willingly closing the bathroom door when guests are present, for example -- a practice that encourages courtesy, but not shame.
• Young adolescents naturally develop increased modesty around the time of puberty. Don't force someone to be nude. Wearing pants for a while may help the transition. Being around other teens who role model comfort with their bodies will be reassuring.
• For families where the children are older it may be difficult to change attitudes. In some cases big decisions may need to be made in order to break free from habits. Such changes may include ridding the home of magazines (men's magazines, fashion, or sports related material), television, or other media that subtly foster a "nudity is sex"? mindset. Peers are also part of the equation. It may be necessary to move to another region to get a fresh start. Teenagers especially are very keen on whether the parents walk the talk, so if a parent still models these attitudes so will the teens.
• The goal is to provide children the opportunity to see nakedness in a way that is almost non-existant in our society: to make it a neutral, non-sensuous part of everyday life in its proper context. This goes a long way toward innoculating them from the enticements so easily found outside the walls of your home and in the marketplace.

Warnings

• Be careful about with whom you share your family practices. Not all people will easily come to the conclusions you intended. Nudity and sex are still considered to be related in our society; this stems partly from puritanical attitudes, but also from decades of hedonistic influence by the swingers movement, from influences such as Hedomism II in Jamaica, the SunnyDaze Resort in Colorado, and events like Nudes-a-Poppin in Indiana.
• Although this should be obvious to any well-meaning parent, care is advised during moments of intimacy and marital relations. Since the genitalia are a major source of pleasure during these times, be careful to instead emphasise the primary functions (birth canal, urination) of genitals to younger children. Anything beyond that may overpower their emotional stage of development and work against the wholesome environment you are trying to maintain. Marital intimacy is best left behind closed doors.
• Avoid exposing children to nude photography from fine art, or internet sources as some of this has a subtly skewed pornographic message that untrained eyes will not immediately recognise. The best example is you, your spouse, and older siblings or relatives who bring a very real element to human nakedness.
• Exercise proper hygiene. When exercising family nudity, always encourage/require the use of a towel for sitting. As any parent can tell you, young children don't always exercise the very best cleaning methods after using the potty. Don't be embarrassed about teaching good, healthy personal toileting hygiene to your children. They look to you to teach them properly and correctly.

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 Practice Nudity in Your Family. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Practise Nudism In Your Room With No One Knowing [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Have you been intrigued by the nudism movement and wanted to try it yourself sometime? Perhaps you are not ready to practice nudism in public, but would like to try it in the privacy of your room. Simply follow these steps:

Steps

• Shut and lock all the doors and windows in the room that you'll be staying in. Especially at night, pull the shades or blinds. You want complete privacy with no interference.
• Make sure that you have plenty of things to do, and that you can keep to yourself for the period of time that you have in mind.
• Remove your clothing and place it out of the way in one area.
• Do what you wish:

• • Do fun things such as: Read a book, play a computer game, watch TV, draw, paint, play solitaire, do word searches, play guitar, and so on.
• • Do more serious pursuits such as: refine your resume, do computer research, do your taxes, clean your room, organise photos, and so on.
• • Moderate exercise, stretching, or yoga is very beneficial while nude, especially in front of a full-length mirror, as one can see which muscles and ligaments come into play.
• • Give yourself a self-massage. While you are not able to reach your back, you can massage your legs, arms, torso, and scalp.
• • While nude with an extended amount of time at your disposal, it is a good time to apply moisturising lotion all over your body as you relax on a blanket. In the winter months, especially, this would help solve dryness issues. You could purchase a special back lotion applicator.
• • Don't try anything illegal, harmful or otherwise unintelligent, for obvious reasons.

• When you are finished, put your clothing back on, and go to another room if you want, with no one else the wiser.

Tips

• Have a bathrobe and slippers handy, if you must leave the room to answer the door bell, use the bathroom, answer the telephone, get a snack, and so on. It will be much easier than having to put your clothes back on, and then having to take them off again. However, be ready with a quick answer if someone sees you outside your room and wants to know, "What are you doing in a bathrobe at this hour?".
• Remember to enjoy this time for yourself, and have fun! This is your time to show how unique you are as a person.

Warnings

• It is wise to practice nudism when your parents or significant other is not at home. This might be different if you can secure the room and keep it to yourself without anyone getting suspicious and inquiring or questioning your behavior. One way this can be done is by taking a "long" shower or bath.
• If you are a woman and menstruating, take precaution.

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 Practise Nudism in Your Room With No One Knowing. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Be Body Painted [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Body Painting is different from face painting in the simple fact that face painting is only covering the face while body painting is the whole body (sometimes including the face). There are many things that people do while wearing body paint, there is a catering service where the waiters and waitresses are only wearing paint, there are bike rides with people wearing paint, or you could take pictures.

Steps

• Think of what design you want being painted on you.
• Find an artist or friend to help you that you are comfortable with.
• When you get to the place where you will be painted, you will need to remove your clothes and put on whatever you will be painted in. Some people choose to wear something while being painted while others choose to be completely nude. Some artists only paint people nude.
• Get in the position you will be painted in and get comfortable. Depending on what parts you are getting painted you may need to move into different positions from time to time. Some paintings may also take longer depending on the complexity. Some could take minutes while bigger or more complex ones could take multiple hours to complete. Make sure you listen to the artist so the artwork comes out best.
• When done, enjoy, you may want to take pictures because the paint will soon wear off.

Tips

• Make sure you are comfortable with the artist, remember, you could be with them for a while and you should be comfortable.
• Bring a friend with you, it will be more comfortable for you and could be more fun.
• If you are standing while being painted and feel the need to lean or sit on something, let your artist know.

Warnings

• Only use safe body paints.
• Be comfortable with the artist.
• In the case you are nude, make sure you are comfortable with being painted nude and not pressured to be painted nude.
• If the paint covers half or more of your body, you could experience an effect similar to lack of sleep. This can be caused by chemicals in the paint, or the paint preventing heat from escaping. This will not cause you to suffocate, but it is likely to impair your thinking. It is a good idea to have a trusted friend nearby to watch over you.
• You have more hair than you think you do: don't peel.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Some one to help paint you (depending on the design)
• Swim wear (if you are not comfortable being fully nude and would rather wear something like underwear or a swimsuit).

Related wikiHows

• How to Be a Good Face Painter
• How to Be a Nude Art Model
• How to Ride in a Naked Bike Ride

Sources and Citations

• http://www.bodypaintinglondon.co.uk/models.php
• http://solsticecyclist.org
• http://archive.bodypainting.co.uk/
• http://www.sydneybodyartride.org/
• http://sbarhq.fotopages.com/

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 Be Body Painted. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Love Your Body [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Loving your body can be difficult. But when you think about it, it's really easy. Just follow these steps and you'll feel like a hot model, even if you aren't one.

Steps

• Be happy with your weight, but take steps to change it if you're not. Cut out the junk food, exercise...even if you don't see immediate results, you'll feel good that you're doing something.
• Find clothes that fit well and compliment YOUR body type. The right clothes can make anyone feel great!
• Love the skin you're in. If you have rough, bumpy skin and you have a mole in your face, don't worry! Cindy Crawford didn't, and she's now a confident, well-known model. Above all, don't think about plastic surgery. Find some good cream and make the best of what you have.
• A fresh new haircut can work wonders with how you feel, so as a quick pick-me-up go to the salon! It could be on the pricey side depending on where you go, but you're worth it. Just remember that (However, stay within your budget, and be sure it's a hair cut or style that you know you would love or know that it would make you feel amazing). If you love your hair already, then continue loving it.
• Try affirmations and positive thinking. Every morning, when you wake up, remind yourself that you are happy, healthy and beautiful. Any time you see your reflection, in a mirror or any reflective surface, say " I love you and I approve of you." If your goal is to lose weight, or change your body, think as if you have already reached your goal. Repeat to yourself "my body is slender, healthy and happy". Start living as though you have already reached your goal, and your body will follow suit.
• Watch how you view others. Do you criticise people's appearances or do you naturally see the beauty in every creature? Often the way we look at others is indicative of how we truly see ourselves. Try to focus on the beauty in others. If this is hard and you find you are still being critical, pretend your thoughts are being read aloud. This forces you to only think things about people that you would be comfortable saying to them.

Tips

• Keeping a positive attitude about who you are is probably the best thing anyone can have about themselves.
• Loving your body also means to love WHO YOU ARE, it is never always just about looks. You are awesome, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
• Positive thinking not only improves self esteem, but your IQ as well.

Warnings

• Others may try to put you down, but it is best to just ignore them. One negative thought is equal to 10 positive thoughts. So no matter what, keep thinking good things about yourself! Other people are usually wrong anyways.

Related wikiHows

• How to Control Perfectionism
• How to Be Confident in Your Looks
• How to Make Friends With an Extremely Shy Person
• How to Stop Feeling Self Conscious

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 Love Your Body. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Accept Your Body [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Having confidence is important. And accepting your body is one step closer to achieving self confidence. However, it can be really hard to accept your body and have confidence, what with all the skinny models and airhead, rich celebrities the media is forcing on us. But that doesn't make accepting your body any less important. For some help on accepting your body, read on.

Steps

• Don't compare yourself to others. Not just celebrities and famous people-stop thinking about how the girl next door to you has gorgeous legs and gets way more compliments than you. What's the point? Every single person is different, even identical twins, so what's the point of comparing each other? It's like saying that one light bulb is better quality than another one, when they're both different brands. Both light bulbs have good and bad points, and both are totally different.
• Love Yourself. Be proud of your body and who you are. Don't let little things, like the shape of your hips or your weight, hold you back from being happy. It's just not worth it. The moon reflects in both pure water and a can of beer. That means that whatever you look like, the real you is what you should be caring about. Who cares if you're gorgeous if you can't be nice? And what's the point of having a beautiful face if you don't bother paying your debts? It will take time, but learn to love yourself.
• Notice all of the positive and beautiful things about you! Every single one. You could have the most gracefully shaped neck, the most athletic looking legs, or the silkiest and shiniest hair. Don't forget your personality, too-that's even more important. Maybe you are the best listener and everyone comes to you for advice. Or maybe you can make people laugh, no matter how low they feel. Even the tiniest thing contributes to who you are-you wouldn't be you without it.

Tips

• Ignore the media and fashion magazines. They're cool for fashion and beauty tips, and it's always fun to keep up with the latest gossip, but keep it that way. Don't get obsessed with buying the latest clothes or being a clone of some model. Most importantly, the majority of the photos there are photoshopped.
• Learn to be thick skinned and not to care what people think of you-unless it's something nice, of course! Don't brush off compliments with "Yeah right!"-accept them and smile.
• Find out what you need to improve.If it's your weight,consider a temporary diet.

Warnings

• Never jeopardise your health to look a certain way! It's not worth going through the hell of an eating disorder to be thin, and plastic surgery isn't going to solve your problems.

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 Accept Your Body. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Sleep Naked [How-To]

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Do you get sweaty on hot nights? Do you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night with your clothes all tangled up and making you uncomfortable? Do you hate waking up tired and groggy because you couldn't sleep comfortably? This article will not only tell you how to sleep naked and (if there is a strict clothing policy in your house) how to not get caught!

Steps

• Decide if sleeping naked is right for you. Do you share a room or bed with other people or siblings? Do people constantly access your room without knocking? Is there no door for privacy? If you sleep in your own room, you should probably tell your parents that you want more privacy and you want them to knock before coming in. And/or inform them that you prefer to sleep in the buff so they are at least aware. If you sleep in a room with roommates or siblings then it is really something you should discuss with them before you attempt to do so. If you can't resolve any of the above issues then it would probably be best if you had some pajamas on to avoid confrontational/embarrassing situations.
• Find a place to keep your clothes/robe in case of an emergency (at the end of your bed, where your feet are, so you can slip them on). If there is a fire, earthquake, robbery, etc., you need to make sure you have easy access to clothes and/or a robe, which is much easier to put on. Having to leave your house bare isn't something that you want to do often. Try to keep an accessible robe near your bed.
• If your parents/roommates are not aware you sleep naked. Choose a night when you know you will wake up on your own or with the use an alarm clock. You really don't want someone to walk in on you if your blankets/sheets aren't covering your sensitive areas. But waking up to an alarm clock every morning doesn't exactly give you a relaxed awakening from your peaceful sleep. An alarm clock can also be downright annoying and negate the benefits of sleeping naked.
• Again, if you have not made others in the household aware, make sure you are the last to go to bed. Say goodnight to everyone and get into bed with your sleeping clothes on. When you are sure everyone is in bed and won't be "checking" on you, slip off your clothes and place them in your designated spot, preferably where nobody will see them, but where they will be easily accessible to you.
• Keep extra blankets for cold nights. There's no such excuse as "It's too cold to sleep naked." Your body is a great self-regulator in temperature. Clothes just throw that off. An extra blanket will work just as well as wearing a set of PJ's, actually better because blankets won't reduce blood circulation or cause you discomfort in the middle of the night like clothes do when you are sleeping.
• Finally! Just strip! Don't be bashful! It's only your body! Snuggle up in bed and you'll find that when you wake up, you'll be surprisingly more refreshed and energized for the day than usual. That is if you don't have an alarm clock screaming in your ear. At first the experience may feel awkward for many, but after a few days, you get comfortable to being naked. For most, after a couple of days you'll realize how much you actually enjoy it.

Tips

• If you are new to sleeping naked, yet want to try the experience, take it a step at a time. If you want, for the first night, try sleeping shirtless. The second night, try sleeping in only underwear or boxers. Keep removing an article of clothing each night until you feel comfortable enough to get naked.
• Keep your clothes where nobody can find them easily. Just throwing them on the floor will be pretty obvious that you aren't wearing them!
• On occasion, you will not need a set of clothes, as underwear can be a substitute for a pair of clothes under the bed. They are harder to find and some would rather see you in them than being bare when you put them on.
• Use of a night robe. It will keep you completely covered in case of emergency, but also be easier to put on than regular clothes. Just slip it on or off, depending on what you need.
• If you are sleeping naked in secret, make sure you have an alarm or something else besides a person to wake you up in the morning.
• If you didn't concern parents about your privacy and you have a door with a lock and you are allowed to lock your door, then do it. However, be aware of any danger this may present in case of fire or other emergency.
• Be sure to wash between your legs and between your butt cheeks thoroughly before going to bed. You may even want to use a baby wipe on your genitals and anus. This will keep the sheets clean, and if caught naked, you will at least be squeaky clean!

Warnings

• Sleeping naked anywhere other than your own house can be dangerous and embarrassing. It is advised to sleep in at least your underwear at another person's house/public area. This also applies if you live with someone else, with your family, or especially with someone you're not close to.
• If you have a pet, you will need to find an area where you can keep your clothes hidden from them too! Waking up to find your dog tearing up your boxers in the middle of your floor won't look too good to your groggy house members.
• If you frequently sleep walk, or if you are on a medication to help you sleep better that may cause sleep walking, then it is advised that you do not attempt sleeping naked. You wouldn't want to wake up in the middle of your living room floor naked with your entire family staring at you!
• Make sure to close the blinds on your bedroom window, if applicable. Remember that if you have the light on in your bedroom in the middle of the night, it will be very easy for anyone who can view the window to see inside.
• Obviously, if you are a female and menstruating, take proper precautions.

Things You'll Need

• Comfortable Bed
• Bed Sheets
• Blankets (For Cold Nights)
• Easily Accessible Robe/Clothing
• Alarm

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 Sleep Naked. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Erections & Naturism [Young British Naturists]

In terms of your concerns about erections, you are not the first to be worried about this; nor will you be the last. I hope that I am able to put your mind at rest with the following information.

I have been a Naturist for a long time and YBN has many members that are completely new to Naturism and to being naked socially. Nearly all of the members have shown the same concern about getting an erection when they first joined. However when it comes to the crunch of making the step into 'public' nudity there is absolutely nothing to worry about!

It is quite normal that guys’ hormones can be a little wild when they are going through puberty and soon after. It is perfectly natural for your body to react in ways that you have no control over, without any reason or warning… It can be a worrying time, full of confusion and doubt.

The thing to remember when you are in a naturist environment is that although there are lots of naked bodies, it is not sexual in any way. But if when you are naked and feel that you may be getting aroused then you just need to make an effort to cover it up; you can wrap a towel around yourself or roll on your front etc; it is not acceptable to walk around with an erection.

But don't get too hung up on this issue, it really is nothing to worry about! The thought and worry will go away as soon as you arrive and strip off with everyone else!

Naturism is a great way to feel accepted and to become comfortable with your own body image; most members have found that by coming to Naturist events both their overall confidence and their positivity towards their own body image has increased. Naturists are very accepting people; they see people for who they are and not what they look like. It’s not about what ‘brand’ or ‘badge’ you are wearing; it is all about you as a person.

Rest assured though, you are not alone with your initial concerns! After all; the majority of us have felt those same concerns and had those same anxieties. Like most new things; the thought of trying something often creates much more anxiety than at the actual experience itself!!

I hope this helps and if you have any further questions about this or YBN & Naturism in general please do not hesitate to ask.


Daryl
BN Youth Officer (YBN)

Under 18? [Young British Naturists]

If you are aged 14-17 you will need your parent/guardian’s permission to join in with any part of YBN; this includes coming along to our events and having full access to the YBN message board. You would need full permission that is signed on a youth consent form; especially if you want to take part in any of BN’s youth group events & activities. Your parent/guardian is more than welcome to come along with you to our events, as your legal guardian.

When you are 18 you can join as a full member, but until then some-one has to be responsible for you.

Are your parent’s members of a Naturist club…?

Yes…
Great, then they have probably heard of YBN, and should be happy if you want to join us. There is no reason why you can’t come along to our events either with them or with their consent.

No - but I can ask them if I can join YBN…
Well there’s no time like the present to ask them… Hopefully they have heard of British Naturism and the fantastic reputation that we have as the country’s leading Naturist organisation. They can look on our website to find out any information that they need and to possibly answer any questions that they may have. We have comprehensive guides regarding Naturism and youth. They can also email our child safeguarding team or our Youth Officer to discuss things further.

No - I don't want to ask them...
There really is no need to be worried or nervous about telling people or about anyone finding out that you enjoy being naked or that you are a Naturist.

You never know; your parents have probably been to a Naturist beach, club or even an event in the past and will be happy that you now want to go too.

After all; there’s no harm in asking them! We are a family organisation!

If your parents are not aware and you don't want to ask them for their permission though, then you can’t join and become a youth member. This would not prevent you from coming to meet us at our public meet-ups, like the Naturist beach days we go to in the summer as it would be at in a public space; just a group of people chilling at the beach!

But if your parents know and are happy to give permission, then great! We encourage you to be honest with your parents and inform them of where you are going and who you are going to meet.

You may encourage them to contact me direct if they have any concerns or issues – I am happy to discuss any aspects of Naturism with your parents and hopefully dispel any concerns that they may have.

Daryl
BN Youth Officer (YBN)

Puberty & Naturism [Young British Naturists]

Puberty is a name for the time when you start to change from a child to an adult. Puberty is normal and it happens to everyone. You may be looking forward to puberty, or dreading it! Or you may feel both ways about it! You’ll go through a lot of changes, but you will still be YOU, just with some important differences. Try to think of it as one of the great adventures of your life, because it is.

In terms of Naturism when you are going through puberty; there is nothing to worry about or to be embarrassed about. After all we have all been there! We understand that the changes in your body occur at different times for different people; we also understand that it can be a very confusing time for you.

When the hormones are ‘raging’ and you may feel uncomfortable with your body Naturism is a great way to be comfortable those changes. It allows you to feel accepted and to become happier with your own body; most members have found that by coming to Naturist events both their overall confidence and their positivity towards their own body image has increased.
We understand that you may have worries about what your body is going to do without any warning!

Boys - if you get an erection, don’t worry about it! It’s perfectly normal! We know that sometimes you just don’t have any control over what’s going on! Just cover yourself with a towel or roll onto your front, no-one is going to pass any comment or judgement towards you; it’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

Girls – You may be concerned about the changes in the shape of your body; you don’t need to be embarrassed about it! Everything that is happening is completely normal and no-one is looking at you. You may have concerns about getting your period in a Naturist environment; again this is nothing to worry about or to be embarrassed about! If you have any concerns about this then it is fine to wear bikini bottoms.

The thing to remember is that everyone’s body shape is different; even when you have gone through puberty your body is going to be completely different to someone else’s. Naturism provides a realist view of the body; it allows you to accept that the way you look is normal.
Under 18?

I hope this helps and if you have any further questions about this or YBN & Naturism in general please do not hesitate to ask.


Daryl
BN Youth Officer (YBN)

Your First YBN Event [Young British Naturists]

Everyone is new to Naturism when they try socialising naked/nude for the first time; so don't worry,- we've all been there!

When you attend your first Naturist event or swim there may be a few things worth knowing beforehand, just so you feel a little more at ease...

Obviously you don't need to bring swimwear or any specific clothing with you and clothing is normally not permitted to be worn in certain areas at events or at certain times. (We do make exceptions for ladies when necessary where bikini bottoms are allowed to be worn at certain times of the month).

If you are staying overnight at an event (camping or otherwise) then it might be sensible to bring something warm in-case you get cold! We don't enforce nakidity and being nude; but if you do wish to join in at our events then it is customary to do without such garments.
A towel is the one item that we as Naturists tend to have with us at all times; this is for whatever reason it might come in handy, such as sitting on etc. Otherwise there is little else you need to know... it's just a normal event, but without clothes!

At our YBN weekend events in the summer we tend to use tents to sleep in (certainly not in the winter!!!), as camping keeps the cost down and makes for a nice and cheap event for all! Living the Naturist way of life, it makes it easy! No-one cares what you look like when you crawl of bed in the morning...


So for camping all you would normally need is;

Essential Items
- a tent - (unless you are sharing some-one else's),
- sleeping stuff - (sleeping bag or duvet, roll matt or air-bed etc),
- plate/bowl and cutlery - (most of the time not needed, but just in-case)
- a towel - (sometimes 2 towels is a good idea,- one to lay on and one to dry with!)

Non essential Items
- alcoholic drinks (over 18) - (as some clubs don't have a bar to buy them from!)
- munchies and drinks for midnight snacks - (you might get hungry at night?)
- a torch, pillows - (just to be more comfortable)
- iPod and speakers etc, - (so we can all enjoy your music)
- Sports equipment, inflatables or games…
- a BBQ - (if you’ve got one)

You can bring almost anything you like to make you comfortable, apart from camera’s and the obvious illegal items such as drugs etc.


I hope this helps and if you have any further questions about YBN or Naturism in general please do not hesitate to ask...

Daryl
BN Youth Officer (YBN)

Youth Body Image [Young British Naturism]

If you have concerns about your body image then you are just the same as nearly everyone else before they tried Naturism. You are certainly not the first to be worried about your body shape or size or the way that you look in general; nor will you be the last. I hope that I will be able to put your mind at rest with the following information.

I have been a Naturist for a long time; YBN has many members that are completely new to both Naturism and being naked in a social setting. Prior to coming to a Naturist setting many people worry about their shapes and sizes, religions and creed, any marks or scars that they may have on their body, tattoos, their menstrual cycles, disabilities, and whole host of other things! However; when it comes to the crunch of making their step into 'public' nudity they all have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Naturism is a great way to feel accepted and to become comfortable with your own body; most members have found that by coming to Naturist events both their overall confidence and their positivity towards their own body image has increased. Naturists are very accepting people; they see people for who they are and not what they look like. It’s not about what ‘brand’ or ‘badge’ you are wearing; it is all about you as a person.

Rest assured though, you are not alone with your initial concerns! After all; the majority of us have felt those same concerns and had those same anxieties. Like most new things; the thought of trying something often creates much more anxiety than at the actual experience itself!!

If at all when you are at an event you feel self-conscious then you are more than welcome to put something on or around you, in order to make you feel more comfortable. No-one will ever force you to take your clothes off! Naturism is all about comfort and being happy.

I hope that this helps and if you have any further questions about this or YBN or just Naturism in general please do not hesitate to ask.


Daryl
BN Youth Officer (YBN)

January 2012 Issue Of PLUS Model Magazine

Open publication - Free publishing - More 16

PLUS Model Magazine, the premiere plus size virtual magazine celebrating the plus size fashion, beauty, arts and plus size modeling industries, inspires YOU to thrive in your curves, crave contemporary fashion and design your life on your own terms, sans apologies.

Visit their main website for future issues and for more information.

iNAKED wishes PLUS Model Magazine all the best!

'Most Runway Models Meet The BMI Criteria For Anorexia', Claims Plus-Size Magazine In Powerful Comment On Body Image In The Fashion Industry [Body Image]

This article is from the Mail Online:

A magazine dedicated to plus-size fashion and models has sparked controversy with a feature claiming that most runway models meet the Body Mass Index criteria for anorexia.

Accompanied by a bold shoot that sees a nude plus-size model posing alongside a skinny 'straight-size' model, PLUS Model Magazine says it aims to encourage plus-size consumers to pressure retailers to better cater to them, and stop promoting a skinny ideal.

Size 12 (U.S.) model Katya Zharkova, 28, stars in the shoot, which has a powerful statistic accompanying each image.

One, printed alongside a photo of the Russian beauty holding a tape measure across her rear, reads: 'Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less.'

Another states: 'Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be questioned.

'The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.'

And finally, further highlighting how poorly the fashion world caters to plus-size women, the magazine tells us: '50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.'

In an accompanying editorial, the magazine's editor-in-chief, Madeline Figueroa-Jones, explains that the feature is a response to a fashion and beauty industry which continues to endorse a skinny ideal that is not always healthy and alienates a huge percentage of the market.

She writes: 'We are bombarded with weight-loss ads every single day, multiple times a day because it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the fear of being fat.

'Not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy.'

Size matters: PLUS Model Magazine has shot size 12 Katya Zharkova pose with a 'straight-size' model to demonstrate the difference between them 

Body image: The model proudly bares her U.S. size 12 curves in the magazine shoot

Big deal: The magazine wants to encourage women to embrace their bodies as they are, and not strive to emulate an unrealistic ideal

Body image: The Russian beauty poses with a tape measure around her rear alongside a statistic that shows how different models are from real women

Ms Figueroa-Jones says consumers can no longer identify with models; the disparity between real woman and those that grace ad campaigns and the covers of magazines is to wide now.

'Small women cannot be marketed to with pictures of plus-size women, why are we expected to respond to pictures of small size 6 and 8 women?' she asks.

The PLUS Model Magazine feature has generated a mixed response from its readers though.

While some have praised the statements the shoot makes, others believe that positively endorsing a fuller figure is as dangerous as advocating a skinny one.

One reader on the magazine's website comments: 'If this article is saying you should feel pretty at any size, fine. but don’t tell me you’re obese and healthy. We have a twisted sense of what healthy is in this country and an even more twisted sense of what people are allowed to say about it.'

Another adds: 'I don’t think the fashion world should support obesity, just as I don’t think it should support anorexia.'

The article has also generated an equal share of agreement, though. Reader Danae writes: 'We all women are brainwashed to believe that we are ugly and men will never look at us if we are not starving... We need more variety of healthy female body images.'

The January issue of PLUS Model Magazine is on sale now; plus-model-mag.com

SOUCRE: Mail Online

Open publication - Free publishing - More 16

Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway? | PLUS Model Magazine [The Pulse of Plus Size Fashion, Beauty, Arts and Plus Size Models]

Picture Of The Day

My Daughter The Teenage Nudist - Channel 4, 12 January, 10pm

Channel 4 is to examine the growing trend of naturism among young people in the UK in My Daughter the Teenage Nudist due to air on Thursday 12 January 2012.

Mollie and Alex are part of a growing group of teens and twentysomethings who are embracing the world of public nudity - a contemporary phenomenon that's been driven by Facebook as well as niche websites like The Naked Tea Party. They are on a quest to normalise nudity, question the media's obsession with the body beautiful, and encourage other young people to liberate themselves by simply going naked - in the streets, cafés or at art shows. The new naturists are keen to take the nudist lifestyle beyond the old fashioned naturist clubs. So why is this pastime increasing in popularity and what do the parents think about their child revealing all in the most public of places?

Well you just have to watch it to find out.

It is said that British Naturism are delighted to have been fully involved in this film. They worked closely with the production company ZKK over the Summer of 2011, helping them to find people and places. The documentary shows how attitudes to social and public nudity are changing, especially among younger people, who are finding it fun and enjoying the sense of freedom going without clothes brings and challenging the validity of cultural norms.

So, forget your hang-ups, forget what you mother said about "modesty" and treat yourself to a better life. There's a wonderful world of regular nudity out there just waiting for you - with events, holidays, online communities, magazines and more.

Come and watch it and tell as many as you friends, you have nothing to lose but your clothes - and everything to gain!

Mollie in My Daughter the Teenage Nudist - Photo from Channel Four

Alex in My Daughter the Teenage Nudist - Photo from Channel Four

My Daughter the Teenage Nudist - Channel 4

Killing Us Softly 4 (2010) [Body Image, Women]

In this update of her pioneering Killing Us Softly series, Jean Kilbourne takes a fresh look at how advertising traffics in distorted and destructive ideals of femininity. Killing Us Softly 4 stands to challenge a new generation of students to take advertising seriously, and to think critically about popular culture and its relationship to sexism, eating disorders, and gender violence.

Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D. is internationally recognised for her groundbreaking work on the image of women in advertising and for her critical studies of alcohol and tobacco advertising. In the late 1960s she began her exploration of the connection between advertising and several public health issues, including violence against women, eating disorders, and addiction, and launched a movement to promote media literacy as a way to prevent these problems. Kilbourne is the creator of the renowned Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women film series and the author of the award-winning book Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel and co-author of So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids.

Killing Us Softly 3 (1999) [Body Image, Women]

Jean Kilbourne's pioneering work helped develop and popularise the study of gender representation in advertising. Her award-winning Killing us Softly films have influenced millions of college and high school students across two generations and on an international scale. In this important new film, Kilbourne reviews if and how the image of women in advertising has changed over the last 20 years. With wit and warmth, Kilbourne uses over 160 ads and TV commercials to critique advertising's image of women. By fostering creative and productive dialogue, she invites viewers to look at familiar images in a new way, that moves and empowers them to take action.

Jean Kilbourne - Her Official Website

The Naked Truth [Women, Body Image]

This article is from Marie Claire:

It took one woman being naked in public to make her appreciate her own body. By Fernanda Moore

"What if, in a landscape filled with brand-new bodies, we looked at each other and decided to broaden our horizons?"

My foray into public nudity didn't begin well. For years, I had wanted to visit the hot tubs at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, they're the world's most gorgeously situated baths. But there, after flying cross-country to see them, I stood clutching my towel in the unisex changing room, staring miserably at my feet. Suddenly, the 3,000 miles I'd traveled felt like nothing compared with the 20 feet I was about to walk — stark naked — to the baths.

Finally, peer pressure overcame prudery, and I joined the masses in the "clothing optional" tubs. I slid in gingerly, mumbling polite hellos, and leaned back with my eyes closed. The water, sun, and waves crashing below began to ease my anxiety. Soon, I was totally content.

Read The Whole Article @ Marie Claire

The Politics Of Porn And Pubes: From The Public To The Personal [Women]

This article is from The F-Word by Joanna Whitehead:

Around six years ago, I had unfortunate sex with an unfortunate fellow. It was unexpected and we ended up fumbling around in his bedroom. When we paused for him to put on a condom (one saving grace), he looked between my legs, looked back at me and tugged my pubic hair, pronouncing, “This has got to go…” I was young - and absolutely mortified. Rather than turfing him out of his own room and branding his behind with “this boy is bad for women’s self esteem”, I squirmed and giggled nervously, before getting back down to business. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t much fun after that, and I sure as hell didn’t feel very sexy.

Last Thursday, I went to a talk at the Women’s Library in London entitled 'The Politics of Appearance'. As is often the case at such events, the audience question and answer session at the end proved to be the most telling and thought-provoking discussion of the evening. One woman put up her hand to say that she had a 20-year-old daughter who refused to go for a cervical smear unless she’d had a Brazilian. A smear test is a standard medical procedure, not Girls Gone Wild. Why should the poor woman feel such shame? Why was it so important for her to be trimmed and “tidy”? And, why was I embarrassed, rather than incensed?

For the uninitiated, a “Brazilian” is when all your pubic hair is removed except a neat “landing strip” of hair on your pubic bone. They have become de rigour amongst many women, some of whom apparently consider anything resembling natural pubic hair as “grim” or “gross”. Why is this?

One response to this question argues that the increased availability and (some could argue) prolificacy of pornography in society has seeped through from the public to the personal domain. Virtually all females in pornography are shaved and plucked within an inch of their life, and many people view this online and then request it or expect it from their real-life sexual partners.

Read The Whole Article @  The F-Word