Quiet Mornings At MoMA Are The Best Start To A Day In NYC

At 7:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, the Museum of Modern Art’s famous exhibits are accessible to a small group of early risers. These events are called “Quiet Mornings”, and they pair leisurely art viewing with guided group meditation.

Normally a visit to the MoMA involves jostling for prime viewing space, but perusing the gallery before opening hours is serene and contemplative—the way experiencing art should feel.

Without the intrusion of noisy crowds and endless selfie-taking it’s so much easier to soak up Claude Monet’s Water Lilies or Mark Rothko’s bold, color-blocked canvases. Examining the intricacies of color and texture is itself an exercise in mindfulness, which is perhaps why it pairs so well with meditation.

Every month the gallery invites one of New York’s most renowned teachers, including Elena Brower, Biet Simkin and Gemma Gambee, to lead a guided session at the gallery. Cushions are laid out in a communal semi-circular shape and the morning culminates in a silent 30 minute practice to steady the mind, slow the pulse, and calm the nervous system.

By 9 a.m. the gallery braces for the public hordes and attendees of the Quiet Morning prepare to begin their day in the world’s most energetic city, hoping to maintain an impervious sense of inner calm as they go.

When you’ve already got your culture fix and successfully meditated by breakfast time, you’re off to a pretty great start.

Quiet Mornings, Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY, USA, 10019 +1 212 708 9400
Where do you want to go next?

Did you know some New Yorkers are dabbling in orgasmic meditation? And don’t miss NYC’s most famous street art while your out and about exploring the city.

About the author

Esme Benjamin

Wellness Editor

Born and raised in Bristol, England, Esme has been geeking out over syntax her entire life. She studied English Lit by the Brighton seaside before moving to London to pursue her writing career in 2009, going on to work for Grazia Daily, The Telegraph and SheerLuxe. In 2013 she swapped The Big Smoke for The Big Apple, where she trained as a yoga teacher and contributed to Refinery29, Self, Fitness Magazine and Greatist. When she's not glued to her laptop or iPhone you'll find her drinking Kale Margaritas at an East Village happy hour, planning her next adventure, or hand-standing (with more vigor than skill) at the yoga studio.