Philbrook takes learning classes outdoors 'In the Garden'

Philbrook takes learning classes outdoors "In the Garden"

BY JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
Sunday, April 15, 2012
5/16/12 at 8:11 AM

At this time of the morning, the only sounds to be heard on the south lawn of the Philbrook Museum of Art are the twittering of nearby birds and the far-off revving of a distant chain saw.

And the only creature stirring is Acer, one of the museum's cats, who silently stretches himself over one of the stairs winding up from the lawn to the Villa Philbrook - striking a pose very much like those of the five human figures who lie prone on mats.

Then the stillness is broken by the voice of Nicole Tobias, as she brings this yoga class to its tranquil conclusion.

The class is one of a series of such activities that Philbrook is offering for the first time, as part of a program it calls "In the Garden." Classes in such disciplines as tai chi, Pilates, yoga and meditation are held mornings and evenings at various locations on the Philbrook grounds.

Dixie Banner, one of the people taking part in Tobias' yoga classes, said, "I'm a member of Philbrook and I also take classes from Nicole at The Yoga Room, so when I heard that Philbrook would be doing this - well, my first thought was, 'What took them so long?' I mean, this is fabulous."

For Mark Gibson, another student, doing yoga outdoors "cuts out the middleman, so to speak. In yoga, you're trying to bring yourself closer to the natural world, and being here just helps that."

For Leah Ashlock, who developed her own version of Pilates movement that she teaches at her company Carbon and now on Philbrook's lawn, leading classes in such an environment opens student and teacher to something new.

"It's a completely different experience," Ashlock said. "We did one class on the lawn where the slope of the ground made some of the exercises very, very difficult. So the environment itself alters the experience."

It also, Ashlock said, alters people's ideas about Philbrook.

"Personally, I'm a huge fan of Philbrook," she said. "And I love that this gives people the chance to see a different side of Philbrook - that while it's a great museum, it's also a lot more than just a museum."

When Tobias was conducting her yoga class this week, the day was cool and cloudy - in other words, perfect.

"I kind of worry that things will be a little more difficult when it's bright and sunshiny," she said. "Maybe we'll move to another location, under some trees or whatever."

Tobias said doing yoga outdoors is as new to her as it is to her students.

"I've always worked indoors because that was how I was taught," she said. "But it feels so natural to be out here. I think the positive aspects of that more than outweigh any negatives - like bad weather."

In the Garden

Pilates in the Garden

Led by instructors from Carbon

9-10 a.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 25

Cost: $19 ($15 members). Pay at class time.

Meditation in the Garden

Led by instructors from Open Mind Zen Tulsa

6-7 p.m. Tuesdays

Classes are conducted in five-week sessions. Remaining sessions are:

May 15-June 12, June 19-July 17, July 24-Aug. 21, Aug. 28-Sept. 25

Cost: $70 ($56 members). To register, send email to kugo@openmindzentulsa.com or call 918- 231-3036.

Yoga in the Garden

Led by instructors from The Yoga Room

9-10 a.m. Thursdays, through Sept. 27

Cost per class: $12 ($10 members). Pay at class time.

Tai Chi in the Garden

Led by Sifu Rick Thomas

6-7 p.m. Thursdays, through Sept. 27

Classes are conducted in eight-week sessions. Remaining sessions are: June 7-July 26, Aug. 9-Sept. 27

Cost: $95 ($76 members). Pay through Philbrook's Education Department, 918-748-5379.

Painting in the Gardens

7-10 a.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 31.

Cost: $5 (free for members). Register and pay through Philbrook's Education Department, 918-748-5379.

Original Print Headline: In the Garden

James D. Watts Jr. 918-581-8478
james.watts@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Students work out in the Pilates in the Garden class on April 3. The class is part of the “In the Garden” series that will sponsor different activities such aswalking, meditation, yoga and tai chi among others. This event was led by Carbon. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Lee Clack takes part in Pilates in the Garden at Philbrook Museum of Art on April 3. Other "In the Garden" classes include walking, meditation, yoga and tai chi. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Jessi Brewer does yoga in the garden at Philbrook Museum of Art on April 5. The class, led by instructors from The Yoga Room, is part of the In the Garden series at themuseum. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

Instructor NicoleTobias of TheYoga Room leadsYoga in the gardenat PhilbrookMuseum of Arton April 5. Theclass is part ofthe In the Gardenseries at themuseum. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World