Devèze Naturist Campsite Gaudonville - Gers - Gascogne - France

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DEFINITION OF NATURISM
Introduction to Naturism

Naturism is a way to live in harmony with nature, characterized by the practice of nudity in a community, which aims at promoting self-respect as well as respect of others and care for the environment.

As mentioned in the definition by the International Naturist Federation, naturism involves the practice of nudity in a social environment. This practice aims at the comfort of the naked body in contact with natural elements such as water, air, sunshine. Incidentally, is there anything more natural or nicer than to be naked while having a swim or sunbathing ?

Unfortunately, in our so-called ‘modern’ society, one associates closely the notion of nudity with that of sexuality and eroticism. This association is in fact strongly exploited by the field of advertising. However, by abolishing these preconceptions and taboos when facing nudity, naturism allows a greater self-fulfillment and an incomparable body relaxation. One has to experience naturism at least once to understand how fulfilling it is.

While nudity is the most obvious aspect of naturism, it is however to be considered in a much wider context...

A family movement which is both humanist and natural

To give to your body the space it belongs in, discover the pleasure of living in harmony with nature, such is the truth of naturism, far away from clichés and fantasies. This practice of which nudity is only one part, resides in the philosophy preaching tolerance, self respect, respect of others and of the environment.

The specificity to naturism, that which distinguishes us from other open-air movements is the practice of nudity. Defining, communicating, talking about naturism always leads to evoking what is our very own originality: living naked!

Naturist nudity is collective, healthy and natural. It is practiced at the heart of nature. From it, one derives pleasure and a feeling of freedom.

A collective nudity
For naturists, nudity is experienced as part of a group: men, women, children, and all generations of adults. This collective nudity generates conviviality, tolerance and social mix.
 
A healthy nudity
Naturists are shy, and make the distinction between shyness and prudishness. Public nudity develops one’s acceptation of one’s body and consequently, that of others. Our nudity is public but our sexuality is private, and its manifestations are to be expressed in intimacy.

 A natural nudity
Our body is naturally naked. The human desire to differentiate himself from animals, power relationships and the mysteries of reproduction have all led to the repression of the body and of sexual organs in particular. Naturists refuse this artificial separation between psyche and physicality. Man has an influence on nature and is looking to master it, but he must remain aware that he is a naked animal.

 Nudity in nature
The vocation of naturist nudity is to put man in contact with natural elements (water, air, earth, sun). All these are indispensable to life and to a harmonious balance. Full nudity in nature allows this intimate contact.

Nudity as source of pleasure and freedom
Experiencing the natural elements directly on our skin generates a feeling of well being and sensations that repression and Puritanism had us forget. Nudity hence has a euphoriant effect with positive consequences on our moral and physical health. Nudity induces an impression of freedom due to the absence of clothing. The body is free. This pleasure and that freedom, it is through the body that we feel them. The more we train ourselves to perceive our body via our senses, the more aware our mind will be.

 A humanist family movement

Naturist values are human values: self-respect, respect of others, tolerance. They are the ones that any parent wishes to pass on to their children. Naturism allows many inhibited people to accept their body better, to love themselves. Nudity is natural and good. The naturist movement involves mainly families with children. After nearly a century of existence, it is common to find families involving several generations of naturists: children, parents, grand-parents, and collective nudity naturally stretches into family nudity. Childhood specialists, who show reservations on parents appearing naked in front of their children, do recognize that naturism modifies completely the relationship naked parents-children. Indeed, the difference lies in the fact that naturists don’t show themselves naked, they live naked.

Starting from a common desire, to live naked and collectively in a natural environment, each naturist adapts and gives a meaning to their quest. Naturism does not aim at creating a naked society. It asserts the practice of nudity in nature, on beaches, within the family circle, at home, in one’s garden, but always with the respect of others, in an attempt not to provoke those who do not share this ideal.

We thank Fédération Québécoise du Naturisme for this page.
http://www.fqn.qc.ca/fqn.htm

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