Naked Retreat Founders’ Story: How Dara and Simon Started NAKED

For some people, being naked is simply about taking your clothes off, at home, on holiday or as part of a social activity. For Simon Paul Sutton and Dara Stara, the founders of NAKED, there is far more to it. This is the story of how a naked retreat became a worldwide community, first told in an article by our friend Paul Rouse of Naturist Travel.

What is a naked retreat?

NAKED is a residential retreat that Naturist Travel described as a physical, emotional and mental journey. Held since 2014 in places such as Malta, Portugal, Sicily, Cambodia, Bali and the Dominican Republic, it combines yoga, dance, meditation, open communication, group activities and healthy eating. Participants are encouraged not only to embrace nudity, but also to get naked in words, actions, feelings and thoughts, and to let go of emotional baggage such as lies, conditioning, rejection and negative self-image.

“The idea of Naked goes way beyond a relaxed holiday spent in the nude,” explains Dara. “The retreats are fun of course, as is being naked, but we also encourage people to dive beneath their skin, and their attachments, past histories and identifications. We start by all taking our clothes off, and use this as an analogy for becoming innocent and equal. But the deeper nakedness begins there.”

Simon adds: “You could say that we play hard and take our fun seriously. But we are neither some far-out gurus, nor claim to know anything that you don’t. We want to show people how to live a life that is vibrant, dynamic, unpredictable and bold, even when life throws us curve balls. We don’t rely on drugs, alcohol or substitute joys to connect to life.”

Who comes to a naked retreat?

Many guests are between 25 and 45, but younger and older people join too, some still trying to find themselves, others wondering where their old self went. They arrive from all over the world and from very different backgrounds and lifestyles.

The founders: Dara and Simon

Dara, born in Germany, is a singer-songwriter, yoga teacher and event organiser. She grew up in eastern Germany, where naturism was part of everyday life, and spent her twenties chasing happiness in material things before choosing a different path.

Simon, originally from High Wycombe, was a troubled teenager who got involved in drugs and crime before training in performing arts and becoming an actor. His credits include playing opposite David Jason in Diamond Geezer. Alongside acting he worked as a facilitator, mentor and workshop host.

How a hot summer in Malta created NAKED

The couple met in Malta in 2014. “The summers in Malta are so hot that you simply don’t want to wear clothes,” says Dara. Living in a house with a big secluded garden, they practised yoga, dance and movement, communicated openly and ate healthy vegan food. Inspired by that summer, they decided to share the lifestyle with others.

“It took us only two months from that moment of inspiration to the launch of the first retreat. Website, programme, photoshoot, promotion, location search and 14 people signed up, all within a matter of weeks.”

A gift economy instead of a price tag

The first retreat had no set price. Guests only needed to get to Malta and could gift forward at the end whatever they wanted to contribute. “It created a very equal space,” says Dara. “It established our idea of a Naked community of like-minded souls connecting and co-creating around the globe.”

Today NAKED asks for an initial contribution that covers fixed costs such as accommodation, food, materials and a chef. At the end, participants are invited to gift forward. “We don’t make any profit on the initial contribution,” says Simon. Read more in our article Why there is no set price for NAKED.

From retreat to community

Word of mouth has always been the main way people find NAKED. Over the years the retreat grew into a community with reunions, hangouts and gatherings. The founders’ longer-term vision includes themed retreats, a worldwide team of facilitators, a NAKED festival and a permanent NAKED centre. They also give back: after a retreat in the Dominican Republic they stayed on for two weeks to help a local school for underprivileged children. Paying it forward goes all ways.

Source: originally published by Naturist Travel (Paul Rouse). Facts and quotes reflect the time of the interview.

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