Do I need yoga socks?

“If there is no sense of humor, then life is not worth living.” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar

Ben Ralston’s article at Elephant Journal, Four reasons why Toesox Suck may be the best article I’ve read on the “nudity in yoga ads” debate in that it doesn’t attack or defend the use of nudity in ads. Instead, Mr. Ralston looks at whether we need the product (ToeSox) in the first place.

I like the ads for aesthetic reasons. I admire the pose and the photography. I actually find the footwear to be a distraction since in the ads I’ve seen, she clearly isn’t using them.

In the article Ben raises the following points:

1. The more contact you have with the ground, the more grounded you will feel.
2. The better you feel the ground directly through your feet, the better your balance will be.
3. Most people spend most of their day wearing shoes and socks. Free your feet! Let them breathe—they’ll thank you.
4. One of the main benefits of asana practice is that the energy flow is improved. Every piece of restrictive clothing you wear inhibits that flow. Loose comfortable clothing is the best choice, and don’t wear anything you don’t need. Unless it’s really cold, I don’t wear socks. Period.

I particularly agree with his fourth point about how every piece of restrictive clothing you wear inhibits your energy flow and not wearing anything that’s unnecessary. I follow that advice whenever possible. I find that tight, restrictive clothing often interferes with my alignment, is uncomfortable, and can be a distraction.

I’ve taken a position of non-attachment. I do not have a problem with simple nudity, Nudity is neutral. It’s our interpretations and reactions that create controversy and conflict.

Namaste