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. The movement is known by three organisations, the English Gymnosophical Society, Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie and the American Gymnosophical Association. The Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie was founded in 1926 in France. The biochemist and historian Joseph Needham was known to practice gymnosophy.