‘It is very organised’: What it’s like inside Berlin’s health-boosting nudist clubs. With the rise of wild swimming, forest bathing (traditionally known as going for a walk in the woods) and ‘Iceman’ Wim Hof's sub-zero philosophies, there is a definite trend for reestablishing bonds with the natural world across Europe. And it isn’t confined to rural destinations.
I’m planning a trip to Berlin in December so I turned to my local friend, Johan, to find out how I can get in on the trend. He suggests that we check out the Helios Club, which he likes to visit after work or at weekends to relax. When I asked what it entails, he said it's a family-friendly community where members eat and drink, play sports and socialise or just walk around the club's woodland sucking up .
I replied in the affirmative, but I could hear a chuckle in Johan's voice. “You should probably know, being British, that it's an FKK club.” I had no idea what that meant, but Johan, an accomplished musician with an urbane wit and a mischievous sense of humour, rarely invokes my nationality unless it is to imply some cultural shortcoming.
I gulped before asking what exactly FKK meant. His reply sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. “It's kind of a nudist club.
” Johan explained FKK, or Freikörperkultur, which translates as Free Body Culture, is a tradition which dates back to the end of the 19th century. The movement encourages adherents to shed their clothing and participate in healthy.
