Attractions and art venues continue to offer wellness experiences

Increasingly visitor attractions and arts precincts are offering wellness experiences. For the third consecutive year, the  270-degree acrylic walkthrough tunnel at Dubai Aquarium will be turned into a peaceful yoga venue to celebrate World Wildlife Day on 15th March. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of marine conservation with the yoga classes, run by The Platform Studios, being surrounded by sharks and stingrays.

Meanwhile, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is currently offering a program of a flow-style yoga and mindfulness sessions in the unique surrounds of the Australian Collection. Led by meditation and yoga instructor, Miriam Van Doorn, the program is part of 'Quiet: Contemplating the collection', an ongoing series that embraces the Australian Collection as a place of quiet contemplation.

Flow Yoga classes lead by Odona are also offered at The Nishi Gallery, a cultural space in Canberra that explores human experience through the lens of local identity, objects and their meaning; the natural and built world; design experimentation and artisanal making.

2018 saw a number of venues deliver wellness experiences to their visitors. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) launched a new Spring Yoga Series on its rooftop Sculpture Terrace in partnership with lululemon athletica.

Visitors were invited to join a free 45-minute, all levels Vinyasa yoga class while enjoying panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. After the class, participants were encouraged to linger on the Terrace, participate in hands-on creative workshops or to immerse themselves in world-class contemporary art.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Director, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, said: “We’re always looking at ways to engage with new audiences and introduce them to contemporary art. This Spring Yoga Series will offer visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a unique setting boasting the best views in town, world-class yoga teachers, friendly hosts and a chance to get up close and personal with inspiring contemporary artworks. And all of it is free – what’s not to like!”

Disneyland Paris hosted an impressive yoga class with 700 participants. The United Nations Assembly had proclaimed 21st June to be International Yoga Day. Lolë and Disneyland Paris came together to celebrate this day for the first time with a unique event, free to yoga fans of all levels.

The extraordinary yoga class held at the foot of Sleeping Beauty Castle was led by well-known yogi Tara Stiles, along with 7 yogis including Marie-Françoise Mariette, a muse of the Lolë brand. Goofy was also there to join in the fun.

For Bernard Mariette, Chief Executive of Lolë, working with Disneyland Paris was a natural choice. “We are proud to be associated with Disneyland Paris. Both our marks share strong values centered on physical and psychological well-being, community, family, innovation, and authenticity, without compromising quality.”

2018 also saw Melbourne Zoo partner with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Victoria to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace by offering a special 45 minute beginners yoga class hosted by Lola Berry, an accredited yoga teacher, nutritionist, author and presenter.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has previously run a series of Yoga Under the Sea classes with management at the Aquarium explaining that initial classes were "a huge success with everyone enjoying the tranquil environment by doing their yoga poses in front of the stunning Great Barrier Reef exhibit."

Image top Yoga at Dubai Aquarium and above QAGOMA yoga program,MCA Spring Yoga Series with lululemon (Photo credit: Lyndon Marceau) and yoga at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.