Brenda Edgar (who many know from our monthly “Art History Illustrated” talk series) presents a 4-week Saturday morning class at the Carnegie Center in January 2023 (January 7, 14, 21, and 28, 10-11:30 am) combining yoga and art history, titled “Divine Movements: The Iconography and Practice of Yoga”.

Class attendees will spend their Saturday mornings together with Brenda in study and movement. Each class meeting will last an hour and a half: the first part of class will be devoted to studying Hindu scripture, literature, and art to help them understand the meaning behind the yoga asanas (poses).

Then, in the second part, Brenda will lead the class in a yoga practice, accessible to all levels of experience, in which attendees are guided to make constellations of their bodies by taking the forms of the gods, goddesses, sages, heroes, and animals that they have just learned about.

Brenda writes, “Join us as we marvel at the multitude of divine manifestations that populate the written and visual traditions of ancient India. Our goal is to gain a rich understanding of the stories and beliefs that the asanas represent, to learn the iconography of the Indian cultures from which the practices come, and to become living representations of that imagery.”

She continues, “No experience is required. There are infinite modifications that can be made to all of the poses we will learn, so the physical practice can adapt to your bodily needs. People from all religious backgrounds, or no religious background, are equally welcome.”

Class size is 20 attendees, registration required. Open to ages 16+. We recommend that anyone under age 18 attend with an accompanying adult.

Each student will need to bring a yoga mat as well as a yoga strap (a long scarf also works well). Optional props include a small blanket or towel, a yoga bolster and yoga blocks - but these are not required. Specialized clothing is not necessary, but participants will want to wear something that allows them a full range of motion. Bottled water and a variety of teas will be provided.

BRENDA EDGAR is an art historian, poet and yoga instructor in Louisville, KY. Her free monthly art history talk series, “Art History Illustrated,” is held at the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany. She also delivers virtual art history talks and classes to an international audience for Morbid Anatomy in New York City. Her poetry has been published in numerous literary journals, including The Shore, What are Birds?, Better Than Starbucks, and Rust + Moth.

Image: Shiva as Lord of the Dance, 10th or 11th century, bronze. Art Institute of Chicago, Public Domain Dedication.