Having just returned from Hawaii, I have been in deep contemplation about this question. During the filming of our next DVD Series and a short Documentary, two of the key questions we asked people were, “How does HNY create community?” and “How do you experience community within HNY?”
Bryan Kest, through his “no-nonsense, raw and tangible approach” to Yoga has always been an inspiration to me and on his website he states,
“The emphasis of the Yoga was being connected to something larger than ourselves that we were all part of. It was about community…hugging instead of shaking hands… cooking not just eating. It was about eradicating the things that separate us all, yet respecting the differences between us. It was all so much more than the physical practice, but the physical practice seemed to be the glue holding it all together.”
 I will never forget my first HNY class. I was so scared that I had a friend of mine go downstairs to greet the participants. They came up the elevator, undressed and set up their Yoga mats up in the Practice Space. I was so terrified that I lay like a Dead Man on my own mat in Savasana until it was time to start. As I sat up and turned around, to my deep and utter surprise, I saw that the room was filled with eighteen beautiful men. That moment will remain with me for a very long time.
By the end of the class, everyone seemed to just float out of the class. I knew there was something to all of this, but was it?
About two weeks later, we had our second HNY class, and thirty-five men showed up. At the end of that session, three men came to me and said, “Do you have any idea what you have started here?” And yet again just two weeks ago in Hawaii, Marcos from Mexico, stated quite emphatically, “Aaron you are so naive. You don't really know what you have here.”
In some ways, I suppose I am rather am naive but what most people don't seem to get about me, is that this is a “Way of Living” for me and it is not forced or contrived. Community, healthy communication, expressing love, living a Tantric Lifestyle, practicing Yoga and Meditation while expressing Goodwill daily, eating healthfully, being of service to others, taking care of my body (which is my Temple), and honoring the ones I love, are ideas and principles I live by. To me there is no other way of living. I sincerely believe if we all lived by these principles, we would all experience a “Heaven on Earth.”
Instead, many of us are motivated by our need for love, acceptance and our expectations of one another. We are driven by a need to have more, more, more and more. Our senses pull us to the next “Rave”, the next Broadway Show that is a “MUST SEE”, the new series premiering on Television, or the “New Big Store Opening” we must attend. We have forgotten how to live in the world and yet remain apart from it and the only way we can be a citizen of the physical world (outer world) and the spiritual world (inner world) is through Sadhana (Spiritual Practice.)
 So where does HNY fit into all of this and can it? Have students managed to make HNY fit into their lifestyles and will it continue?
After this trip to Hawaii and coming back to New York, I really believe it can. During the second week in Hawaii, three classes were organized, two for my Teachers to “Practice Teaching” and a third impromptu class which was taught by a Bryan Kest CD, "Long, Slow and Deep." It was in that third class when it hit me. All those people, most of whom I had never met in the Kalani/Kehena Community were there because a space had been prepared. I sat back in complete awe while the words, “If you build it, they will come,” kept ringing in my head.
This past January, I took a workshop with my Teacher, Rod Styker and one of the things he emphasized was the importance of Sanga, which literally means Community. The Sanskrit meaning however contains a much larger picture and embodies the concept of “surrounding yourself with those people who bring out the best in you while allowing your inner light to shine”. (If that is too "New Agey" for you then consider for a moment how it would feel if this really was your reality.)
 Take notice that when you are hanging out with people who are unhappy, that somehow you start to become miserable too! Or if you hang out with people who like to party, all of sudden you might be staying up late at night and filling your body with substances that may not be supportive to a spiritual lifestyle. Spending time with people who are fit and happy will begin to rub off on you and you will naturally want to improve your lifestyle habits as well.
The people that we surround ourselves with, will definitely have an impact on what characteristics come forth in us and will support us to either let our light shine or to allow it to become dull. In our heart of hearts, we all know this to be true.
Another observation I have been able to make about the groups who have come on retreat with us over the past five years, is that HNY has never once received a complaint or ungracious comment from anyone. The Hosts of our “Hot Nude Yoga Retreats” have, time and time again, complimented us in saying that we are the “cleanest, friendliest and most well mannered, conscientious people who come to stay with them and that they always look forward to our return.”
It is inspiring to witness the amount of support that has grown out of this whole situation. It is my belief that it can grow to embody something much, much bigger.
There are times when a few people have expressed their concerns that this could become a cult or that the people who belong or participate in large organizational groups become like clones however, if each one of us truly embodies the yogic principles of non-violence, truth, and contentment, (Ahimsa, Saty, and Santosa) and if each one of us respects and honors each other’s path while actively pursing their own, no one ever becomes a clone. (And I can honestly say that I have never met a clone of myself!) Every individual only becomes the truest expression of who they are meant to be, while on the path to realizing their highest potential. For me, this is how HNY creates “Community”.
 Over the next while, you will see more and more of an effort to build the Community. This effort will come from myself and from those who are continuously and selflessly giving of themselves. It can also come from you.
Fairly soon, we will be launching our San Kalpa (Intention) of building an inner city HNY Healing Center which will house people, give people reprieve when they are in need, be a center for youth, provide more Yoga Classes and community workshops, be a place for people to stay who are visiting from out of New York and, most important of all, give us a place to truly call “home”.
I invite you to think about these words and get involved. “If you build it, they will come.”
Namaste and peace
Aaron Star
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Hi Aaron
this is a great message that warms my heart and speak to my brain.
I am already excited Now to attend the yoga seminaire in cologne next may.
I think iti will be for me a beautiful experience
warmest regards
Gilles
This is the perhaps the nicest letter that you have emailed-out,
nicely worded, with positive sentiment, thanks.
All I can say is right now is wow! WOW!!! I’ll have
to reread it many times before I’ll be able to fully
digest its meaning; enough now to say that I have
never seen expressed in one place so many of my
thoughts, wishes, dreams, fears. I have told some a
couple of friends about my intention to take the April
Beginner’s Series, and have already experienced some
negativity and cynicism about those plans, So this
message was just what I needed to overcome my
insecurities and strengthen my resolve. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. LIman
HI Aaron…this interests me very much:
“Fairly soon, we will be launching our San Kalpa (Intention) of building an
inner city HNY Healing Center which will house people, give people
reprieve when they are in need, be a center for youth, provide more Yoga
Classes and community workshops, be a place for people to stay who are
visiting from out of New York and, most important of all, give us a place
to truly call “home”.”
If there is any way I can help please let me know.
Sincerely,
Taras
Dear Aaron - There is so much here that is so important. None more it seems to me than the idea of building a “home”. Just received an e-mail from a friend abroad who spoke of how it is so often fear that keeps us from seeing what unites us. A simple and oft repeated thought. But it seems to me another application is here with these classes - fears, maybe fears of what we are doing to accomplish our dreams, give us terrible doubts. And then, as you describe at your first class - you look up, and there are all these beautiful people.
Best, John
Hi Aaron.
Lovely to read your words. Inspiring.
Just to repeat myself: I admire your initiative and I
believe many people will appreciate your work -
hopefully, others will engage in the project. Oh boy,
together we can do much more……
Look SO much forward to see you in London in May.
Take care, Kristian
Hi Aaron, I’m Terry Snyman, the owner/operator of the one and only Gay-men’s resort in LA, in West Hollywood, the San Vicente Inn-Resort.
I LOVE YOUR LETTER/E-mail and wholeheartedly agree with everything in it.
I have been trying to “grow” this establishment into a place where we could feel a lovingly, joyfilled, peaceful community and with the local Naked Yoga group’s facilitator, Philip, I hope to create a space/sanctuary where the group could practice Yoga in the Natural state, and this will bring me another step closer to my vision.
I have spent many a holiday at the Kalani Resort and got so much inspiration and motivation from Richard in just being there…..
Unfortunately I could not make it to the NY weeks, as I’m busy with completing a Ph.D. but I’m doing Yoga 2-3 times a week and it’s just the BEST !!!
The space I’m creating will only facilitate about 20-30 persons for Yoga, but if you ever consider doing anything here in LA, Pse keep this in mind, as we could “sleep” about 100 men…sharing….closely….lovingly
and would work out an irresistible rate for a group like yours.
Love, joy, peace,
Terry.
Aaron, thank you for your spring message.
Having recently begun the practice of yoga this winter with you, I’ve spent a lot of time pondering why I attend, since the night you mentioned “what brings your ass to yoga class.” And so far, I’m not exactly sure what it is. Except that when I participate in a class, I typically come away feeling something really special & unique. In both my body and in my soul. Perhaps it’s because as you say below, “spending time with people who are fit and happy…” Indeed, it does make me want to improve my lifestyle habits.
I had to put one of my pets to sleep at the start of this past fall; he had an illness that medicine just couldn’t fix. It was absolutely crushing to me. Then my father passed away in my arms at Thanksgiving. And now, my closest friend here in NY, the one man who’s been around many, many years longer than any of the multitude of men who have literally come and gone, is terribly ill and may not make it through the year.
I’ve been through this cycle of life before. I don’t know why it happens the way it does, with such intensity and proximity when it occurs. But I do know that if I am to make it through with sanity and peace for both myself and those around me who need me, my old habits and coping strategies must change.
In the half dozen or so HNY sessions I’ve attended so far, I’ve felt anxiety, moments of incredible vulnerability, anger, and almost always a bit of soreness the next day:) I’ve also felt incredible peace, beauty, trust, pleasure, friendship, a sense of community, and perhaps most importantly, a warmth and tingle from within that lasts for days afterward. And not for nothing, the inclusion of partnering exercises & touch and “roadside assistance” with it’s intensely personal touch, always makes me come away feeling more human, more connected. Somewhat surprisingly, much more so than mere tricking.
This practice is doing much more for me than just the mere physical; lots of stuff bubbles up to the surface - some good, some crap. I don’t exactly get “why” yet. But I know it’s productive, it’s incredibly healthy, and is helping me learn new life coping skills. An analyst by nature, I like immediate, logical, concrete answers. And yet this feels like an incredible journey and personal adventure I’m on. It’s making everything better. And therefore, I’m going to patiently enjoy the experience as it unfolds.
Thanks for what you’ve started.
Ray
Aaron,
Thanks for your thoughts in your spring message. I hope you take stock of
what you have created - a safe space for men to explore their potential and
support one another in this exploration. You have provided the opportunity for a community to evolve and I’m not surprised, as it seemed you are, that at each retreat the site owners have been so complimentary; the men that join you strive to lead a mindful life and you set an example. The basis of any healthy community is trust and respect and HNY is a community because these values are present. The past year and a quarter that I have attended your classes has been a transforming experience for me and I know for many others. You have a gift that you share freely and I hope you get more back than you feel like you give.
Namaste, BK