the essential
For the first time, the Toulouse-Lautrec museum offered a yoga session in one of these exhibition rooms. A timeless experience which allowed participants to rediscover the place from a new angle.
The ancient arts room of the Toulouse-Lautrec museum welcomed a very special audience this Sunday morning. Dressed in sportswear and accompanied by a mat, 20 women, from Albi and the surrounding area, had not only come to visit the museum, but above all for a yoga session.
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Surrounded by paintings dating back several centuries, the yogis meditated and performed the positions of “downward facing dog” or the “sun salutation”, in the Berbie Palace, an original way of approaching this ancestral art: “C “It’s a pleasure to be able to combine culture and yoga in such an unusual place”, says Delphine, who came specially from Blagnac for this session. “It brings the building to life,” adds her Albigensian friend.
A way of understanding the museum differently
“The idea is to offer a different experience to the museum and to make it live differently,” explains Laura Garbacz, public service manager at the museum. During their course, the participants took advantage of the museum in a different way. The regulars were able to linger on details offered in the room such as the magnificent ceiling while the novices discovered the jewels displayed in the room, between two relaxation positions. “During the visit, we will want to see everything and know everything, this is a more sensitive approach, explains Laura Garbacz, the museum is a place of culture, but also of health”.
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The ancient arts room was exceptionally reserved for yoga classes. This session, which was held during the museum’s opening hours, aroused the curiosity of visitors who came to discover the works of the Albigensian artist. The old parquet floor, creaking as the audience walked by, absolutely did not disturb the participants during their session, all focused on their postures: “It gives a soul to the place. In a room like this, with wood on the floor, we has the impression of being in a cocoon”, explains Delphine, totally relaxed at the end of the session. An impression shared by yoga teacher, Géraldine Avisse. The latter regularly offers yoga sessions in museums: “It’s an exchange between the two arts. Yoga is a return to oneself and with the works that surround us, we can open up.”
A successful experience which will soon be renewed
Faced with the enthusiasm of this first session, the museum will repeat the experience next January but in different rooms: “The idea is to vary the locations. Why not offer open-air sessions in the summer, that’s is an avenue to develop. We are also considering doing a session at the Notre-Dame chapel. It is a timeless place, generally closed to the public.
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One thing is certain, Delphine and her friend, convinced by this first experience in Toulouse-Lautrec, will be back to try yoga in a different environment, but still suitable for relaxation.
