Why is everyone still doing yoga?

Certain fads come and go, but some last longer than usual, which makes us wonder, why is everyone still practicing yoga?

More than five thousand years ago, on the banks of a lake in the depths of the Himalayas, the first yoga poses were born. Since then, the practice of yoga has evolved, in the form of centuries of stretching and breathing.

This practice is not only beneficial for the mind, body, and spirit, but is also available to people from all walks of life and all levels of experience. Her only requirement is to be open to exploring what your body is capable of and let your breath lead you there.

At the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), one of Los Angeles’ most active locations, Equinox and American Express hosted an evening for Platinum Card® members. With exclusive access to the museum grounds and a dedicated yoga influx, the event provided a strong connection between yoga and the MOCA curated exhibitions for all who attended.

Stemming from the human tendency to look at what is readily available, art and yoga require the same level of curiosity, patience, and dynamic engagement in order to realize their common idea of ​​success: full self-expression. Throughout the evening, guests were led around these common themes while experiencing art and yoga for themselves.

The excitement began with a special tour of MOCA our house The show, where viewers caught the brilliance of Carlos Cruz Diez Chromosaturation, a series of three saturated rooms sequentially in red, blue, and green on Mark Rothko’s hypnotic color field paintings. Here, members appreciate the consuming nature of art with a renewed sense of awareness and awe generated by being curious.

Soon after, guests began streaming outside the MOCA Sculpture Garden, which is located next to the illuminated Larry Bell statue. Illuminated by the many towers of downtown Los Angeles, the class was directed by Equinox instructor Jacqueline Winters who channeled the same sense of curiosity and applied it to the breathing and movement work required for a yoga class.

With two additional trainers to provide posture and alignment support, the class flowed together, working in unison through a series of advanced poses that tested everyone’s patience (and balance).

By taking notes from famous artists featured in MOCA, yogis were further encouraged to add a sense of fun to their practice by trying more difficult poses. With each occasional stumble, rattle, and tumble to the rug, guests were prompted to partake in challenging new paths, breaking the boundaries of their pre-existing limits.

All that yoga requires is for one to remain open to what is possible. In pose after pose, Jacqueline has brought everyone back to the simple fact that just showing up is radical — that yoga, like art, shows us the possibilities that surround us by allowing ourselves to be open, loyal, and expressive of what we can do. carrying out.

Feeling the restorative power of class, attendees climbed to the rooftop for a breathtaking view of the sculpture garden to learn more about each other’s wellness journeys and how yoga can better advance a high-performance lifestyle. Drinks, snacks, a carry bag with yoga essentials, and a custom rug capped the evening with potential for future flows to come.

If you are already a member of the American Express Platinum Card®️, register and use your card to redeem $25 in statement credits each month on eligible Equinox memberships. Learn more at platinum.equinox.com. Immerse yourself in exclusive Equinox x American Express Digital Platinum Series events at equinox.com/landing/theplatinumseries.

Not a Equinox member yet, but interested in keeping up with the American Express Platinum Card®️ and Equinox? Learn more about signing up at platinum.equinox.com/enrollment.