This weekend, do yoga and roll around in paint at the same time
Thought finger painting was just for kids? Think again. On Saturday, Yogaworks Back Bay is hosting a “Paint Your Practice” workshop where yogis, painters, and people who just love to get messy can come together for one creative afternoon.Yoga teacher and painter Izzy VanHall hatched the idea for the class about four years ago, then workshopped the workshop with small groups of people to turn it into what it is today. Last summer, athletic wear company Lululemon got wind of VanHall’s concept and sponsored the first official Paint Your Practice at Levitate Music Festival in Marshfield. This is the second time that Paint Your Practice will take place at Yogaworks Back Bay. This past fall, the studio had 47 people attend the workshop. This time around, VanHall is capping registration at 30 to make the event more personal. She wants this to be an “accessible experience” for those who don’t often take time to be artistic. “There are barriers to getting messy and creative,” VanHall said. “We can’t do these things at our apartments.” The class will start with a discussion of yoga philosophies. After she introduces a repetitive yoga sequence, VanHall said she’ll add paint into the process. Using hands and yoga poses, participants will apply paint to a large piece a canvas. At the end of the two-hour session, yogis can cut out a piece of the art and take it home. “You won’t be drenched in paint—it’s not like you can’t get on the T afterward,” said VanHall of the mess she and her students will make. That said, Yogaworks does suggest bringing a set of clothes to change into and wearing something you don’t mind getting paint on.
Saturday, April 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Yogaworks Back Bay, 364 Boylston St., 2nd floor, Boston; $65; all levels
