What is "gymnosophy"

Gymnosophy \Gym*nos"o*phy\ (j[i^]m*n[o^]s"[-o]*f[y^]), n. The doctrines of the Gymnosophists.
--Good.

n. The wisdom or accumulated knowledge and experience of the lifestyle of being nude. It encompasses naturism and nudism.

n. the doctrine of a sect of Hindu philosophers who practiced nudity and asceticism and meditation

Gymnosophy (from Greek γυμνός gymnós "naked" and σοφία sophía "wisdom") was a movement and a philosophy practiced in Europe and the USA from the end of the 19th century to the mid 20th century. The practice involved nudity, asceticism and meditation.

In the early 20th century, the term was appropriated by several groups to denote a broad philosophy that included as a central thought that the nude human body is a natural condition and should be widely acceptable for the betterment of society. This philosophy is related closely, and often interchangeably, with nudism, naturism and has close connection to the hippie movement.

The movement is known by three organisations, the English Gymnosophical Society, Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie and the American Gymnosophical Association.

The English Gymnosophical Society was founded in 1922 and became The New Gymnosophy Society in 1926. One of the first members was Gerald Gardner, who in 1945 established the 'Five Acres Club', ostensibly as a nudist club, but as a front for Wiccans, as this was illegal in England until 1951.

The Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie was founded in 1926 in France.

Dr. Maurice Parmelee (1882-1969), Professor of sociology, City College of New York, published 1927 the book "The New Gymnosophy" in New York (the title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions). and took part in the founding of the American Gymnosophical Association 1930.

The biochemist and historian Joseph Needham was known to practice gymnosophy.