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    Yoga Art Exhibit Coming to a Close in Cleveland

    Yoga: The Art of Transformation is scheduled to close September 7th at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Get going soon if you want to see a once in a lifetime collection of yoga-related art curated by the Smithsonian Institution.

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    The exhibit has sculptures, scrolls, and other artworks including interesting film footage. I particularly liked the yoga fitness manuals from the early 1900’s and the beautiful Mughal paintings of ascetics living in caves who were billed as hermits yet had their own string trios. The images about cremation ground rituals where a bit disturbing to me, but a friend’s seven-year old took didn’t seem fazed by any object in the exhibit. Some objects are exquisitely small, and kids (and adults) had fun looking through magnifying glasses at the details.

    Yoga Narashimha, Vishnu in His Man-Lion Avatar, c. 1250. India, Tamil Nadu. Bronze; h. 55.2 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 1973.187.
    Yoga Narashimha, Vishnu in His Man-Lion Avatar, c. 1250. India, Tamil Nadu. Bronze; h. 55.2 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 1973.187.

    The museum had so much demand for yoga classes that they now offer multiple yoga lectures and classes on weekdays and weekends. Some of the classes have a fee that can be paid by phone or online to ensure a spot. Some Sunday classes have been selling out several days in advance. A non-profit called Zenworks Yoga does free family-friendly yoga at set times on the lawn North of the museum. Classes in the exhibit are held in a clean room close to the nicely stocked gift shop. Note: you are not allowed to take yoga mats into the exhibit or the museum galleries, but there are special racks for mat storage in the yoga classroom as well as a free cloakroom check service.

    While in the Cleveland art museum, I highly recommend viewing the Asian art in the permanent collection. Those galleries are in the superb addition to the 1916 building. My favorites included pages from “Tales of a Parrot” and a powerful lingam. My husband was fascinated with the Buddhist robes (note the embroidered swastikas), and there is one room with glass walls that is great for photo ops. The Cleveland art museum is not the British Museum or the Met, but it has some first rate pieces in a really nice setting. Note: you can take pictures of art in the permanent collection, but you are not allowed to take photos in the special exhibition.

    If you are interested in deluxe lodging and spa experiences nearby, you might go to one of the two Intercontinental hotels on the adjacent Cleveland Clinic campus.

    Although the front desk service could be brisker, the amenities, including very clean fitness facilities, at both the regular hotel and the Intercontinental Suites are what you would expect from that chain. They operate shuttles that go to the art museum. If you want something nice, historical and very close to the museum the Glidden House is a boutique hotel with a superb patio. It is cozy, casual and less than a 4-minute walk to the art museum. The service was excellent and it was on the Case Western campus so there were nice areas to walk in.

    If you want to see some great yoga art in a wonderful museum, zoom up to Cleveland soon. Yoga: The Art of Transformation is to depart after September 7, 2014, and it is well worth the trip. For more information, visit clevelandart.org.

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    Nancy Alkire
    Nancy Alkire
    Nancy Alkire has practiced yoga off and on since WOSU broadcast Lilias, Yoga and You in the 1970’s. She has attended classes with Charlotte Bell, Bryan Kest and Kino MacGregor. Since turning 50, she has become much more interested in fitness and often calls on the expertise of athletic trainer, Jennifer Schiff, and Daniel Snider (almost a) PhD in physical therapy. “I am open to polite suggestions for other yoga or fitness experiences. I love documenting and sharing.” Get in touch with her by email.
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