Open Door Yoga Studio

I've always dreamt about yoga.
I own a yoga mat.
I am loyal reader of yoga magazine.
I get jealous every time I see someone walking around downtown with a yoga mat sticking out of their bag.

So why the heck am I not practicing yoga?

Fear. Doubt. Expense. Time.

And then there was Open Door Yoga Studio.

Donation based.
No commitments, contracts or hassle.
Multitude of class times.

Welcome to my new world of self-chosen sweatiness.
Open Door Yoga Studio primarily offers Bikram Yoga classes, commonly known as Hot Body Yoga. The room is set at approximately 100 degrees. Students form two rows, the more experienced students take the front row next to the mirrors. Classes are held in a dimly lit atmosphere which lends itself to relaxation and focus. They last an hour and a half beginning with breathing exercises, followed by balance and stretching. There are no shortcuts. No one can leave the room without stopping the entire class. But there is guidance. There is hands on instruction. And there is peace. When the heat becomes too much, you find yourself in Savasna, or corpse pose. It is a time to breath. Gather and release. The body is capable of so much, and while it seems that sweating profusely and contorting your body into less than flattering postures would evoke insecurity, the experience is far from that. The heat is so intense that self-discipline and strength keep eyes from wandering, and egos from interfering. It was a wonderful, liberating, life altering experience.

blackberries from the farm

There's just something so great about being able to eat out of your backyard. It seems quite a few of my friends' gardens are overflowing and I've had the privilege of sharing their bounty... pears, figs, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and most recently blackberries. I made a delicious blackberry pie for my birthday (pictured above). But even better was this recipe for Blackberry Oatmeal Bars that I found at Naturipe Farms It's a bit like a cereal bar, chewy and gooey but not too sweet. I hope you enjoy them!

meep meep it's a traffic jam!

Ahpeele of 400 Capital Blvd. hosted Traffic Jam on Saturday May 15.
It's a conglomeration of yard sale goods at great bargains and handmade art.

First Friday: PBaRt

Dinner at Dos Taquitos and PBaRt show at Design Box





Live mariachi band playing, pretty awesome. Dinner, delicious. Interior decor, incredible. Pitcher full of margaritas, forgettable, er... I mean... unforgettable!
Followed by a show at Design Box. Pretty stinkin' awesome that this stuff is now going on in Raleigh.

caterpillars

How neat is that? They were everywhere. I didn't mind sharing the fennel and basil :)

strawberries

dear world,

strawberries are delicious.
thank you for making them
and granting me the opportunity to pick them.

sincerely,
me



mmmm can you taste it? the fresh juiciness of strawberry shortcake, strawberry daiquiris, strawberry granola yogurt, strawberry smoothies.... in a way a bit like forest gump, let me assure you that this list goes on... because it is all too easy to walk away with 20 pounds of strawberries when you get to pick them yourselves and each and everyone you come across looks more irresistibly delicious than the last, something comes over you pushing all logic aside, forcing your hand to reach for just one more of those plump red seeded fruits.



strawberry farm off leesville rd.

Backpacking at the Gorge

When work handed me an unexpected three day weekend I decided to seize the opportunity and spend a few days in the woods. The forecast called for thunderstorms all throughout western carolina, but we took our chances and went anyway which turned out to be well worth it.