Participants are seen demonstrating a series of yoga poses while facing Juan Luna's 'Spoliarium' mural
MANILA, Philippines – The National Museum in Manila held the first four sessions of its “Yoga at the Museum” program on Friday, October 5 at the Spoliarium Hall. As its title suggests, the initiative allows people to take yoga classes at the National Museum, free of charge, in celebration of the Museum and Galleries Month.
“Sorry, not into this kind of strategy to promote the Museums and [Galleries Month]. This will accumulate heat, moisture and dirt into artifacts coming from the bodies. Yoga is much better to perform outside in an airy and free environment,” one commenter wrote on Instagram. Beyond concerns of the sweat and humidity possibly causing the painting to deteriorate over time, a few other netizens criticized the National Museum’s decision to hold classes for yoga – a calming practice – in front of a painting that depicts violence and gore.