Want to unwind? Try these free yoga classes offered by National Museum of the Philippines
Ever considered practicing yoga while indulging in the beauty of artworks in a museum?
The National Museum of the Philippines launched its Yoga at the Museum program in line with the celebration of Museum and Galleries Month this October.
Anchoring on the theme “Exhibits and Reflections: Crafting Opportunities for the New World," the Yoga at the Museum aims to provide experiences that promote and improve well-being through a sensory activity that combines yoga with art therapy.
Each yoga class happens every Wednesday of this month with its respective theme. For instance, the first of four yoga sessions was held on Wednesday, October 4. It was called “Halina (to come)." AVinyasa class, the yoga session coordinates movement and breathing to connect the mind and body.
The next schedule of classes and form of yoga to be taught are as follows:
October 11 - Bunyi (the feeling of great joy), a Traditional Hatha class which is a practice of balance through Posture, breathing, gestures, and Meditation. This will happen at the Old Senate Session Hall
October 18 - Manatili (to stay), a Yin yoga class that targets the deepest tissues of the body, connective tissues including the ligaments, joints, and bones. This will happen at the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI) Hall
October 25 - Pagbabago (of change), a Power Vinyasa class. This is a full-body experience that will not only develop your athleticism but also provide the mental benefits of a breath-based practice. This will happen at the Vicente and Carmen Fabella Hall
The session will be taught by Allan Enriquez, a registered yoga instructor whose practice and training span over eight years. He has been teaching regular and trauma-informed yoga classes online and in-person in different yoga styles.
Yoga at the Museum is open to the public and is free of charge with limited slots for only 20 participants per session. Registration is through Google Form posted on the National Museum’s Facebook page.
According to American yogais Copper Crow, Yoga practitioners tend to sleep better.
"A regular yoga routine helps your quality of sleep because the combination of gentle movements, meditation, and regulated breath reduces stress and calms the nervous system," he said in an interview with The Philippine STAR.
Likewise, practicing yoga, as per Copper also makes everyone happy because it helps you to relax. Many studies have concluded that yoga is an effective method for helping to reduce depressive symptoms and as a natural way to deal with stress.
Meanwhile, a National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that 94% of people use yoga for wellness reasons, 55% of yogis reported improved sleep, and over 85% reported a reduction in stress A study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that a 16-week program of hot yoga significantly reduced stress levels in sedentary and stressed adults.