DOING yoga naked may not be everyone’s idea of a great way to work out.

But for a growing number of men and women across the UK it’s the hot new fitness trend. And the craze may not be that much of a stretch of the imagination — both yoga and being naked have health benefits, so why not combine the two?

Yoga’s many health-boosting properties are well-documented — from reducing anxiety and stress to easing back pain and improving lung capacity.

Being naked helps the immune system by aiding Vitamin D absorption and reducing the risk of infection and skin complaints.  Plus, exercising with no clothes on means you’ll burn more brown adipose fat. Naked yoga teacher and devotee Doria Gani, from Battersea, South London has been practising the art for seven years since battling cervical cancer.

And in that time demand for her lessons has soared.  

She says: “There is a sense of freedom practising yoga naked. “Lots of people equate being naked with sex but this couldn’t be further from the truth in a naked yoga class.

“Part of yoga is to honour and connect with your body. 

“Practising yoga naked frees you from negative feelings about your body and allows you to be more accepting and more deeply connected with yourself and the world around you. “Naked yoga helps you discover an entirely new way of looking at your own body. It teaches you to embrace your imperfections in a way other exercise classes don’t. It’s a holistic mind and body approach.

“Naturally, people are quite scared at the beginning because they don’t know what to expect. But seeing my clients’ confidence nurtured and growing is amazing.”

Doria — who offers one-to-one classes — urges anyone familiar with the yoga poses to try it naked and see and feel the benefits.

But she advises beginners to see an instructor first.

Here, Doria reveals popular naked yoga poses and tells how they can benefit body and mind.  MANY yoga practitioners feel this position helps improve circulation.

DORIA SAYS: "With your head beneath your heart, your blood will now flow in the opposite direction.

It helps clear congestion and aids venous return – blood pumping back to the heart.

Strengthens shoulders and arms, corrects posture and improves memory.