1
00:00:00,830 --> 00:00:03,380
Announcer: This is
a Getty podcast.

2
00:00:05,380 --> 00:00:06,730
Lilit Sadoyan: Today
we’re exploring

3
00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,709
a luxurious French bed from
the end of the 18th century.

4
00:00:11,710 --> 00:00:14,660
Welcome to Our Museum
Mindfulness Meditation

5
00:00:14,679 --> 00:00:16,190
podcast, or OMMM.

6
00:00:16,970 --> 00:00:20,089
Part art history and part
meditation, we use works of

7
00:00:20,090 --> 00:00:23,410
art from the Getty collection
as inspiration for mindfulness

8
00:00:23,959 --> 00:00:25,020
and deep reflection.

9
00:00:25,869 --> 00:00:27,849
Hello, I’m Lily Sadoyan.

10
00:00:28,299 --> 00:00:31,320
I’m a longtime meditation
practitioner and museum

11
00:00:31,359 --> 00:00:32,570
educator at Getty.

12
00:00:33,419 --> 00:00:35,890
Thanks for joining me as we
bring mindfulness out of the

13
00:00:35,890 --> 00:00:40,650
gallery and into our daily
lives. Today, we’re exploring

14
00:00:40,759 --> 00:00:45,569
rest and relaxation, inspired
by a late 18th-century French

15
00:00:45,590 --> 00:00:49,999
bed called a lit à la polonaise,
or a Polish-style bed.

16
00:00:50,450 --> 00:00:53,469
This episode begins with a
breathing exercise to help

17
00:00:53,469 --> 00:00:55,389
relax your body and mind.

18
00:00:56,059 --> 00:00:59,759
We’ll then give a bit of history
and context for this ornate bed.

19
00:01:00,430 --> 00:01:05,910
We’ll close with a yogic sleep
meditation.This series is also

20
00:01:05,910 --> 00:01:07,470
available as an audio podcast.

21
00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:10,730
If you’d like to step away
from a screen for a few

22
00:01:10,730 --> 00:01:14,910
minutes, listen on your
favorite podcast app. Now, 

23
00:01:14,910 --> 00:01:16,840
If you’re ready, let’s 
jump in.

24
00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:21,669
[Gong chimes and slow,
meditative music begins]

25
00:01:21,669 --> 00:01:25,599
Go ahead and find a comfortable
meditation posture, whatever

26
00:01:25,599 --> 00:01:26,899
that means for you today.

27
00:01:27,589 --> 00:01:31,099
Maybe you’re sitting, lying
down, something that allows

28
00:01:31,099 --> 00:01:33,279
you to feel relaxed yet alert.

29
00:01:34,949 --> 00:01:37,719
And let’s start by
taking a few deep breaths

30
00:01:37,790 --> 00:01:41,309
together. In through the nose.
[inhales]

31
00:01:41,309 --> 00:01:46,629
Out through the mouth.
[exhales] 

32
00:01:46,629 --> 00:01:51,369
Deep breath in
[inhales] 

33
00:01:51,369 --> 00:01:55,540
Deep breath out.
[exhales] 

34
00:01:55,540 --> 00:01:58,509
Settling with
each breath in.

35
00:01:58,519 --> 00:01:58,529
[inhales]

36
00:02:01,799 --> 00:02:02,550
And out. [exhales] 

37
00:02:02,550 --> 00:02:10,310
Now let your breathing
resume its natural rhythm as

38
00:02:10,310 --> 00:02:13,829
we explore today’s work of art.
[Bells chime] 

39
00:02:13,829 --> 00:02:15,919
Picture yourself 
entering a grand

40
00:02:15,929 --> 00:02:19,659
palace or mansion in
France in the late 1700s.

41
00:02:20,610 --> 00:02:23,800
You find your way to the bedroom
and see a magnificent bed

42
00:02:23,869 --> 00:02:28,130
topped with a grand canopy, its
curtains draped elegantly and

43
00:02:28,130 --> 00:02:29,679
then gathered at the four posts.

44
00:02:30,690 --> 00:02:33,579
Resplendent beds such as
this one were set into

45
00:02:33,580 --> 00:02:35,149
deep niches in a bedroom.

46
00:02:35,989 --> 00:02:38,549
The combination of the
hangings and interior

47
00:02:38,589 --> 00:02:41,629
architecture heightened
a sense of theatricality.

48
00:02:42,699 --> 00:02:45,749
In this period, a bed was
often the most expensive

49
00:02:45,750 --> 00:02:46,700
item in the home.

50
00:02:47,509 --> 00:02:49,950
Textiles were costly,
and the beds were

51
00:02:49,950 --> 00:02:51,509
largely made of fabric.

52
00:02:52,660 --> 00:02:56,160
The size and splendor of the
bed demonstrates its owner’s

53
00:02:56,239 --> 00:03:01,089
importance.The extravagant
nature of this bed clues us in

54
00:03:01,100 --> 00:03:04,940
to how bedrooms were used and
perceived in the 18th century.

55
00:03:05,980 --> 00:03:08,899
Today, bedrooms are often
thought of as retreats

56
00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:10,359
or personal havens.

57
00:03:11,349 --> 00:03:14,490
For wealthy Europeans in
the 18th century, it was a

58
00:03:14,490 --> 00:03:18,579
new idea to design bedrooms,
or chambre à coucher, to

59
00:03:18,579 --> 00:03:20,339
promote a good night’s rest.

60
00:03:21,619 --> 00:03:24,140
But people frequently
received and entertained

61
00:03:24,140 --> 00:03:25,669
guests in these rooms, too.

62
00:03:26,930 --> 00:03:30,460
Friends might drop by with a
host or hostess still in bed

63
00:03:30,889 --> 00:03:32,440
or getting ready for the day.

64
00:03:33,079 --> 00:03:36,970
People would read books or
poems aloud from bed to a

65
00:03:36,970 --> 00:03:40,439
small circle of friends who
pulled stools or chairs near.

66
00:03:41,549 --> 00:03:47,249
A bed served as a focal point to
intimate social activities.We’re

67
00:03:47,250 --> 00:03:50,810
focused today on a bed that is
elaborately draped with blue

68
00:03:50,810 --> 00:03:54,949
and white silk, passementerie,
meaning decorative trimmings,

69
00:03:54,959 --> 00:03:59,290
fringes, and tassels, and
fluffy white ostrich feathers.

70
00:04:00,419 --> 00:04:01,780
This bed is large.

71
00:04:01,789 --> 00:04:05,339
It’s about the size of a
California king bed today, and

72
00:04:05,339 --> 00:04:06,900
it sits high off the ground.

73
00:04:07,470 --> 00:04:09,899
You’d need a special step
stool to get into it.

74
00:04:10,479 --> 00:04:12,529
The bed is symmetrical in form.

75
00:04:12,869 --> 00:04:15,939
The headboard and footboard,
carved from wood and

76
00:04:15,949 --> 00:04:19,519
gilded, are mirror images
of each other, with a tall

77
00:04:19,779 --> 00:04:21,189
bedpost at each corner.

78
00:04:22,180 --> 00:04:26,179
Four curved iron supports run
from these bedposts to support

79
00:04:26,229 --> 00:04:30,229
a dome that rises about ten
feet off the ground and sits

80
00:04:30,269 --> 00:04:31,890
over the center of the bed.

81
00:04:33,070 --> 00:04:35,779
From this dome, curtains
drape down evenly over

82
00:04:35,779 --> 00:04:38,619
the iron supports and
are tied at the bedposts.

83
00:04:39,639 --> 00:04:44,589
Each bedpost is topped with
a crown of ostrich plumes.

84
00:04:44,589 --> 00:04:48,540
The bed is composed of geometric
forms, rectangles and ovals,

85
00:04:49,009 --> 00:04:52,379
carved with classical elements
like Corinthian columns.

86
00:04:53,299 --> 00:04:55,479
These design elements
are hallmarks of the

87
00:04:55,479 --> 00:04:56,869
neoclassical style.

88
00:04:58,969 --> 00:05:01,309
Neoclassical artists strove
to imitate the spirit of the

89
00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,119
ancient Greco-Roman tradition.

90
00:05:04,299 --> 00:05:08,279
While this is a French bed,
its style is called a lit à la

91
00:05:08,940 --> 00:05:12,310
polonaise, or a Polish-style
bed, because the big drapes

92
00:05:12,310 --> 00:05:17,370
reminded the French of Polish
dress. Every aspect of this bed

93
00:05:17,379 --> 00:05:21,689
drips with luxury, but perhaps
none more than the textiles.

94
00:05:22,410 --> 00:05:25,819
Upholstery on such sumptuous
beds, from bed covers to

95
00:05:25,819 --> 00:05:28,809
the canopy, even the fabric
on the head and footboards,

96
00:05:29,149 --> 00:05:31,929
was also changed to
correspond with the seasons.

97
00:05:32,779 --> 00:05:36,449
Ducks, peacocks, and pheasants
decorated the golden-toned

98
00:05:36,479 --> 00:05:38,389
original fabric of this bed.

99
00:05:39,459 --> 00:05:42,490
The same fabric was ordered
by Empress Catherine II of

100
00:05:42,490 --> 00:05:47,540
Russia around 1773, perhaps
suggesting she also owned

101
00:05:47,540 --> 00:05:51,279
this bed, as records of its
original owners have been lost.

102
00:05:52,489 --> 00:05:55,499
Although the fabric on the
bed today is a recreation of

103
00:05:55,739 --> 00:05:59,760
18th century fabric, the Getty
Museum still preserves some

104
00:05:59,770 --> 00:06:04,910
pieces of the original fabric
and passementerie. This bed

105
00:06:04,910 --> 00:06:06,640
frame, too, is a work of art.

106
00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,849
In the 18th century, as trends
moved towards more visible

107
00:06:10,849 --> 00:06:14,500
woodwork on bed frames, it
became important for beds

108
00:06:14,500 --> 00:06:18,179
to showcase the menuisier’s,
or the carpenter’s, skill.

109
00:06:19,219 --> 00:06:22,410
The original wooden bed
frame here features elaborate

110
00:06:22,410 --> 00:06:28,049
decorations: oak leaf patterns,
floral swags, cornucopias

111
00:06:28,059 --> 00:06:31,780
filled with fruit, ribbons,
acorns, and laurel wreaths,

112
00:06:32,389 --> 00:06:37,569
all carved by hand.It is an
exquisite example of French

113
00:06:37,599 --> 00:06:39,259
menuiserie, or woodwork.

114
00:06:40,129 --> 00:06:42,749
The wooden structure is
made of walnut, which has

115
00:06:42,750 --> 00:06:46,199
been gessoed, painted white,
and gilded with gold leaf.

116
00:06:47,139 --> 00:06:50,679
Four handles attached to the
frame would help to pull the bed

117
00:06:50,719 --> 00:06:54,179
out of the niche to change the
sheets and fabric more easily.

118
00:06:55,109 --> 00:06:58,880
On top of the bed frame, below
the canopy, sat the mattresses,

119
00:06:59,149 --> 00:07:03,279
perhaps four or more on a single
bed, and made from materials

120
00:07:03,299 --> 00:07:07,129
like straw, wool, horsehair,
or feathers, sometimes in

121
00:07:07,129 --> 00:07:11,519
combination.Pillows, in
this period both squarish

122
00:07:11,559 --> 00:07:14,780
and bolster shaped, rested
along the head and foot.

123
00:07:15,909 --> 00:07:18,759
Linen bedsheets and an
assortment of blankets

124
00:07:18,759 --> 00:07:20,839
covered the bed when
it was time to sleep.

125
00:07:22,589 --> 00:07:27,839
With all its meticulous detail
and construction, imagine you

126
00:07:27,860 --> 00:07:29,479
could climb into this bed.

127
00:07:30,589 --> 00:07:32,220
How might you
position your body?

128
00:07:33,549 --> 00:07:39,140
What would it feel like to
relax into this bed? Let’s

129
00:07:39,140 --> 00:07:43,020
now invite relaxation
into our bodies, preparing

130
00:07:43,020 --> 00:07:44,839
ourselves for deep rest.

131
00:07:45,899 --> 00:07:48,740
The following meditation
might be best enjoyed in

132
00:07:48,740 --> 00:07:52,070
a reclining position, or
what is called Savasana,

133
00:07:52,299 --> 00:07:54,059
corpse pose, in Sanskrit.

134
00:07:55,149 --> 00:07:58,140
I will guide us through a
Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep

135
00:07:58,219 --> 00:08:02,099
meditation, that allows us
to move into a deep state of

136
00:08:02,099 --> 00:08:05,849
relaxation while maintaining
conscious awareness.

137
00:08:06,699 --> 00:08:08,489
It’s kind of like being
in a state between

138
00:08:08,489 --> 00:08:09,869
waking and sleeping.

139
00:08:10,879 --> 00:08:14,479
It is a wonderful way to
reduce stress and anxiety,

140
00:08:14,879 --> 00:08:17,989
promoting nervous system
regulation, and calmness.

141
00:08:18,899 --> 00:08:22,709
Above all, we can cultivate
complete effortlessness

142
00:08:23,649 --> 00:08:25,120
if we allow ourselves.

143
00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,380
[Gong rings and meditation music
begins] 

144
00:08:27,380 --> 00:08:30,139
Take a moment now to
set yourself up for restfulness.

145
00:08:31,410 --> 00:08:35,200
Find ease in your body and
establish a sense of comfort,

146
00:08:35,889 --> 00:08:37,109
whatever you need today.

147
00:08:38,989 --> 00:08:42,440
If you feel comfortable, I
invite you to close your eyes.

148
00:08:43,539 --> 00:08:51,049
Use this time to go inward.In
a reclining position,

149
00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:56,710
allow your body to feel
supported and comfortable.

150
00:09:00,210 --> 00:09:06,030
Allow your legs to extend,
your feet to fall open.

151
00:09:09,389 --> 00:09:14,630
Let your arms rest slightly
away from your body to

152
00:09:14,630 --> 00:09:22,660
your sides, palms facing
upward.And let’s begin by

153
00:09:22,660 --> 00:09:28,079
taking a few deep breaths
together. In through the nose.

154
00:09:28,090 --> 00:09:28,100
[inhales]

155
00:09:30,930 --> 00:09:32,239
Out through the mouth.

156
00:09:32,239 --> 00:09:32,249
[exhales]

157
00:09:35,809 --> 00:09:55,730
Deep inhale. Deep exhale. One
more breath in. And out. 

158
00:09:56,989 --> 00:10:00,030
 Now let your breathing
resume its natural rhythm.

159
00:10:02,979 --> 00:10:09,130
No need to force or extend
the inhale or exhale.

160
00:10:12,330 --> 00:10:17,669
Just let your body do what
it does very naturally. 

161
00:10:17,680 --> 00:10:21,079
And I invite you to set an
intention for your practice.

162
00:10:23,159 --> 00:10:25,799
Something simple but
meaningful to you.

163
00:10:29,150 --> 00:10:34,569
A short phrase stated in the
present tense, such as, “I’m

164
00:10:34,569 --> 00:10:38,270
calm” or “I am at ease”.

165
00:10:42,129 --> 00:10:46,489
Silently repeat this
intention as if it is

166
00:10:46,500 --> 00:10:51,549
already unfolding. And

167
00:10:53,669 --> 00:10:56,649
now begin to notice
how the breath moves in

168
00:10:56,649 --> 00:10:57,909
and out of your body.

169
00:11:02,899 --> 00:11:07,750
What’s the pace like? 

170
00:11:12,369 --> 00:11:18,220
Notice the rise and fall
of your chest. 

171
00:11:22,509 --> 00:11:26,220
Notice how your belly
inflates and deflates.

172
00:11:31,470 --> 00:11:33,740
How it swells and subsides,

173
00:11:36,910 --> 00:11:44,629
without forcing anything. Let
the breath be effortless.

174
00:11:49,830 --> 00:11:53,780
There’s no need to hold on
to any stressors of the day,

175
00:11:57,730 --> 00:11:59,890
any challenges we may be facing;

176
00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:08,600
nowhere else to be, nothing
else to do in this moment

177
00:12:10,199 --> 00:12:20,949
but to be here now. Relax
your body part by part.

178
00:12:25,279 --> 00:12:29,599
Release any unnecessary
points of tension or clenching

179
00:12:31,759 --> 00:12:39,310
by bringing your awareness
and your breath to it.

180
00:12:43,919 --> 00:12:52,349
See if you can just let your body
melt here. Relax your feet.

181
00:12:56,180 --> 00:13:05,559
Your soles, toes,
ankles. Relax your legs.

182
00:13:08,139 --> 00:13:22,050
calves, knees, thighs. Just
melting here.

183
00:13:22,589 --> 00:13:26,769
 Relax your hips.

184
00:13:29,419 --> 00:13:30,169
Relax your belly.

185
00:13:34,319 --> 00:13:35,069
torso...

186
00:13:39,279 --> 00:13:50,809
chest. Let your heart
softly open.

187
00:13:53,389 --> 00:14:01,730
Relax your shoulder blades,
shoulders. Relax your neck.

188
00:14:06,259 --> 00:14:10,259
Throat.

189
00:14:12,830 --> 00:14:13,630
Relax your face.

190
00:14:16,709 --> 00:14:17,209
Chin.

191
00:14:19,979 --> 00:14:20,339
Jaw.

192
00:14:23,690 --> 00:14:35,279
lips. The area around
your eyes. 

193
00:14:35,309 --> 00:14:39,910
The space between your brows.

194
00:14:42,190 --> 00:14:46,190
Your forehead. 

195
00:14:48,229 --> 00:14:52,429
Relax your mind.

196
00:15:00,740 --> 00:15:06,330
Feel the whole body
together. 

197
00:15:16,590 --> 00:15:20,659
Surrender the weight of your 
body to the surface upon which

198
00:15:21,010 --> 00:15:25,210
you’re resting.

199
00:15:30,669 --> 00:15:31,610
Coming back to your breath,

200
00:15:35,029 --> 00:15:38,500
you can begin to count
your breath backwards from

201
00:15:38,500 --> 00:15:47,049
ten to one. Inhale ten;
exhale ten.

202
00:15:47,049 --> 00:15:55,510
Inhale nine; exhale nine.

203
00:15:55,510 --> 00:16:02,569
Continuing at your 
own pace.

204
00:16:02,569 --> 00:16:25,180
[Silence] 

205
00:16:25,180 --> 00:16:29,649
If you lose track of your
counting, you can always

206
00:16:29,650 --> 00:16:31,499
return to ten and begin again.

207
00:16:31,499 --> 00:16:46,909
[Silence] 

208
00:16:46,909 --> 00:16:49,770
And you’re welcome to
stay here as long as you’d like.

209
00:16:52,699 --> 00:16:54,909
You can move into restful sleep.

210
00:16:58,050 --> 00:17:00,830
Or if you’re ready to
return to your day,

211
00:17:02,879 --> 00:17:09,339
invite some gentle movement
into your body. Wiggle your

212
00:17:09,339 --> 00:17:20,699
fingers and toes. Maybe offer
yourself a gentle stretch.

213
00:17:24,529 --> 00:17:31,269
Turn over to your right side
before sitting up. 

214
00:17:34,949 --> 00:17:37,930
And if you’re ready, you can
gently blink your eyes open.

215
00:17:40,959 --> 00:17:42,599
Come back to your environment.

216
00:17:42,599 --> 00:17:46,110
[Slow, meditative music plays]

217
00:17:46,110 --> 00:17:47,999
Wherever you are headed next,

218
00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:53,420
let’s carry this sense of
ease and restfulness with us.

219
00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,099
Notice what feels
different, perhaps

220
00:17:58,110 --> 00:18:00,600
subtle, perhaps profound.

221
00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:06,019
What is one quality from
this practice, such as

222
00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:10,659
effortlessness, awareness,
or softness, that you

223
00:18:10,660 --> 00:18:11,679
might carry with you?

224
00:18:13,559 --> 00:18:16,479
See if you can offer yourself
the same gentleness you

225
00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:20,999
experienced here as you move
through the rest of your week.

226
00:18:23,079 --> 00:18:25,989
Let’s return to our breath
and close our practice

227
00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:32,730
by taking a full deep
breath together. Inhale.

228
00:18:33,639 --> 00:18:40,159
And sigh it out. Thank you
so much for joining me.

229
00:18:40,159 --> 00:19:00,000
[Meditative music
slowly fades out]