Getting your "OM" on at BMA's Yoga + Art series...

This article is a follow-up of a previous article written in January 2009: Yoga + Art winter series at BMA.

It was a cold and snowy evening in late January, but inside the Baltimore Museum of Art’s American gallery, the heat was simply escalating. That night, I had the opportunity to witness one of the many unique yoga classes at the BMA, led by Brianna Bedigian (BA, Art History and Certified Yoga Teacher). Every Tuesday evening during the quarterly Yoga + Art series, participants are permitted to not only freely move their bodies around the gallery, but also to sweat (on their yoga mats) and make noise in a space in which speaking above a whisper during regular museum hours is commonly frowned upon.

Brianna began the yoga class as if it were any other vinyasa flow class taken at a lifestyle focused yoga studio anywhere in the world. Students were encouraged to sit in a comfortable, cross-legged seated position with their eyes closed, allowing the movement of each inhale and exhale to wash over and relax their bodies. She emphasized on the removing of stress in order for us to remain focused and living in the present moment. After centering, the students gently glided in a variety of vinyasa sequences, holding poses when prompted to (and thereby “feeling the burn” when necessary) and connecting that movement with their breathing.

Halfway through the one-hour yoga class, Brianna asked the students to gather in front of a pre-selected work of art in the gallery. That week, she spoke on the life and artistic career of Lithuanian-born American artist Ben Shahn, whose piece entitled Six (1952, tempera on linen stretched over plywood) was the featured piece during this week’s art history lecture. Shahn was a social-realist painter whose view on the inequality of those around him informed his bold approach to art. His preference for pictorial realities allowed him “to discover new truths about man and to reaffirm that his life is significant”. He stressed that in art, just like in life, the combination of opposing orders is vital for progress. This was something that Brianna also echoed in class that evening, stating the importance of balancing both outward work/service and the inward journey in one’s life. Depending on the location of the Yoga + Art series at the BMA, students might also be asked to use a painting or sculpture as a point of focus for balance control during a standing pose.

Overall, a yoga plus art session has exceeded the expectations of being an effort to soothe the soul and tone the body in a creative, contemplative and inspirational setting. Brianna’s natural tendency to empower her students to grow and evolve in their yoga practice is greatly emphasized in her soothing “yoga teacher” voice and insightful art history lectures.

To conclude this review about Yoga at the BMA, here are some testimonials from recent participants and a slideshow of pictures taken during the class for your viewing pleasure:

“I've attended many of the yoga programs led by Brianna Bedigian and I just wanted to send you a few lines about how much they have enriched my life and my relationship with the museum.?I've always loved the museum, but the yoga programs have helped me interact with the collections in a completely new way.  I'm grateful to the BMA for giving me this chance to "think outside the box" of what an art museum can be.  I've had many yoga teachers, but none have had Brianna's ability to connect with students.  Her knowledge of art, as well as yoga and meditation combine to make the class meaningful for people with varied interests and levels of practice.  She is an exceptionally gifted teacher and the perfect person to lead these programs.”

-- Mariya Hutto

“I first signed up for the Yoga in Sculpture Garden, and it was wonderful.  Practicing yoga outside is exciting in itself, but to be practicing yoga next to all of those beautiful sculptures was incredible.  I've continued with all of the yoga classes at the BMA, and my love for yoga and art together continues to grow.  Brianna always brings something new to class, and I love walking away from my weekly yoga class having learned a little more about the art housed just down the street from me.”

-- Michele Dubovecky Cookson