Healing the Body and Soul: How Nude Yoga Transformed Ricky’s Battle with Cancer
Ricky’s Story
Ricky and one of his cats
Ricky journey is one of resilience, healing, and rediscovering a connection with his body. After a 16-year military career, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Ricky faced battles of a different kind—depression, trauma, and a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Through it all, he found solace, strength, and empowerment in an unconventional practice: nude yoga.
This is Ricky’s story of transformation, as he shares how nude yoga became a lifeline during his most challenging days.
“Yoga has been instrumental in helping me heal—not just from surgery and cancer treatments but from the years of trauma my body endured.”
From Soldier to Survivor: A Life Forever Changed
Ricky served as a medic in the military for 16 years, joining shortly after 9/11. His service took him to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea, where he witnessed the toll that relentless physical and mental demands take on the human body. Despite his strength, Ricky found himself medically retired due to depression and rapid weight loss—early signs of a more serious issue brewing beneath the surface.
Years later, Ricky’s worst fears were realized. A groin cyst, initially suspected to be a minor health concern, turned out to be lymphoma.
“My symptoms had been all over the charts for years,” Ricky explains. “Exhaustion, stomach pain, rapid weight loss—none of it added up. When the diagnosis finally came, it was surreal.”
Ricky in Warrior II Pose
Though his cancer is considered incurable, Ricky remains focused on living fully. “It’s not life-limiting right now,” he says, “but it’s a battle every day to maintain my energy, manage my symptoms, and recover from surgeries.”
Discovering Yoga—and Shedding the Uniform
Ricky turned to yoga to aid his recovery, knowing it would be gentler on his body than the military-style workouts he once endured. His introduction to nude yoga came almost by accident, but it felt like destiny.
Ricky in Tree Pose
“The military leaves behind a great deal of broken bodies,” Ricky says. “Yoga has been instrumental in helping me heal—not just from surgery and cancer treatments but from the years of trauma my body endured.”
Naked yoga, in particular, struck a chord. For Ricky, practicing nude was about more than physical health; it was a way to embrace his authentic self.
“There’s a discipline to yoga that’s different from other forms of exercise. It’s about building your own resilience without competition or judgment,” he says. “Being nude adds another layer of vulnerability and freedom. It’s grounding when the world feels like it’s spinning.”
Breaking Taboos and Finding Freedom
Despite its transformative power, Ricky acknowledges that nude yoga is often misunderstood—especially for men.
“People assume it’s sexual or that men only do it to ogle women,” Ricky explains. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. True Naked Yoga has male instructors, too, and the focus is always on the practice, not appearances.”
Ricky’s decision to embrace nudity was not an easy one. During his military service, he kept his preference for being nude private, fearing judgment from his peers.
“Taboos around nakedness—even in our own homes—are like prison cells we build for ourselves,” he says. “I decided I wasn’t going to live like that anymore. Naked yoga is one way I’ve broken free.”
A Daily Practice of Healing and Empowerment
Ricky now practices yoga daily, sometimes completing up to 10 classes per week using True Naked Yoga’s streaming platform. The flexibility of the online format allows him to adjust the length and intensity of his sessions based on how he feels.
“Some days, I’m exhausted from treatment or surgery recovery,” Ricky says. “Yoga helps energize me on those days and grounds me when I’m dizzy or overwhelmed.”
Ricky exploring his nudist side with naked cycling
The physical benefits are undeniable, but Ricky emphasizes the mental and emotional impact. “There’s a commitment in yoga—to finish what you start, to hold a pose even when it’s hard. That discipline has carried me through my darkest moments.”
Living Authentically: Embracing Life in the Moment
Beyond yoga, Ricky has fully embraced his identity as a nudist, cycling in nude events, visiting nude beaches, and spending as much time as possible without clothing.
“I’ve always known I had a different relationship with clothes,” Ricky says. “The less I wear, the more comfortable I am. Exercising nude even lets me see the results of my efforts more clearly.”
While Ricky jokes that his cats’ sharp claws have tempered his at-home nudity, he remains committed to living authentically.
“Being naked feels liberating. It’s a celebration of the body, not something to be ashamed of,” he says.
Focusing on the Present
Ricky exploring his nudist side skinny dipping at a nude beach
Ricky’s prognosis remains uncertain, with regular medical tests to monitor his condition. Yet he chooses not to dwell on what he can’t control. Instead, he focuses on the present and the healing rituals that bring him peace.
“I’ve learned to live in the moment,” Ricky says. “Cancer teaches you that. Nude yoga reminds me to honor my body, to appreciate it for what it can do, not just how it looks.”
Ricky’s Message for Others
For anyone hesitant to try yoga—or consider doing it nude—Ricky offers this advice:
“Yoga is about building resilience at your own pace. It doesn’t matter where you start or what you look like. Nude yoga, in particular, strips away the shame and insecurities we carry. It’s an incredible way to connect with yourself and find healing.”
Ricky’s journey is far from over, but his courage and commitment to healing are undeniable. Nude yoga has given him the strength to face life’s uncertainties with grace and resilience—and to inspire others along the way.
If you’re looking for a path to healing, self-acceptance, or simply a way to reconnect with your body, Ricky’s story proves that it’s never too late to start.
