life in the flow

I moved my blog!

2009-11-08T14:29:00.002-05:00

Two-a-days

2009-11-04T06:49:00.000-05:00

My first two-fer. I went to yin practice tonight and felt a little off afterward. When we'd release from a pose, I kept getting these floods of emotion, and I left feeling a little blue and a little off balance. I was curious about the class after, 'power flow,' and I argued with myself in the parking lot as to whether I should stay or go.

I checked my voicemail, chatted with dad, hemmed and hawed, put my mat in the car, took it out.. and stayed. Boy did I stay! And I had an interesting revelation. We did this pose that totally intimidates me called bakasana.

Looks like this:

I didn't get there, but I got close! REALLY close! Much much closer than I ever thought, and in trying, I realized how not far off this pose is for me! It was a glimpse into a future in which I can do many things that I never thought I was capable of. It wasn't an 'oh wow I can do this!" moment, it was a "oh wow I will do this" moment - which is definitely sweeter.

I had another "I will do this" moment at work today - as my practice picks up and my confidence grows, I'm realizing that I have a very special opportunity to accomplish a great deal here in Raleigh.

There is more, about the conversation I had with my teacher tonight, about the revelations I have every now and again on my mat, about the changes I've effected in my life. But that is all side story.The metaphor for yoga vs. life today was that I'm finding my 'edge' (that is, the place where you first start to 'feel it') and it is so much further out than I thought it was. I can accomplish much more than I give myself credit for, and with ease.

Always looking forward to the experience,

Namaste.

Friday Night Funk

2009-10-30T22:48:00.001-04:00

What a week. What an end of a week. What a day. What a class.

I didn't think I'd love speed flow to Thriller, but, you know what? I do. I SO DO.

My breathing is almost involuntary, my thoughts are on the out, my body is catching up. As things start to solidify for me on the mat I find myself wondering when I'm going to get there in real life. Tonight was good sweaty, nasty, really fun yoga - my form was crap, but my breath was on time and my heart open wide.

I look at where I am now compared to where I was this time last year. I was in school, things were structured but rote at that point, it was clean, but wearing on me. I'd made some good decisions and some poor ones and I was definitely flying by the seat of my pants. Now, things are deliberate, not always perfect, but always on purpose. Every day, every action is a step bringing me closer to my goals. Every class is a step closer to who I want to be. Every patient is a dollar closer to the independence I've been working towards. So my form is lacking, it's messy but I am getting there.

As I sink in there is a part of me that wants to stay in my old self. Like a shudder as you fall asleep, it tries to keep me in the drama, keep me out of the flow, and I have to fight the urge to just do what is comfortable and familiar. I have to fight to stay focused and aware.

I am fighting. Every day. And as I get closer I'll start to straighten up, tighten up and lock it up. I'll have it together when the day comes.

This is who I am today. Messy and sweaty. And today was a good day.

living the mystery

2009-10-29T21:15:00.003-04:00

When I wake up in the morning, I have no idea what's going to happen. I know what I'm going to do that day, but I never know what's going to happen, and that is awesome.

When I walk into yoga, I usually don't know what we're going to do, and I definitely have no idea what's going to happen, and that is even more awesome.

I've written about class the last two nights, but haven't posted anything because I haven't come out of there with a big "A-HA!" On Tuesday night I was thinking about how I'm learning self restraint, how I'm better able to wait things out and see how they resolve on their own without trying to meddle in anything. Last night I was mostly just hot like FIYAH from my stretch and flow class.

I am pushing myself a lot harder this week, physically and mentally, and I have much less time to think. This probably means that I am doing a better job in spite of my blog content suffering. I am also settling into more of a routine with my practice, and I tend to check out as soon as I plant myself on my mat. I can't tell you one thing I've thought about the last two nights, but I do know this: my body hurts more this week than last and yet, a day off is not even on the schedule. I wouldn't miss class for the world.

In my real life, there are surprises around every corner. A run in with a new friend yielded some amazing business opportunities and a last minute cancellation gave me the opportunity to get to yoga early and chat with one of my teachers.

I'm learning that I am capable of things I never thought I could do; at work, on the mat, inside my own head. That kind of insight is a serious trip and some nights, I come out of class and I can't put it into words. I spoke with my mom today and she jokingly asked if I was going to start taking off on yoga retreats to which I exclaimed: YES! ABSO-*&%-ING-LUTELY! I can't wait for the day when I'm strong and practiced enough to spend my new year's doing yoga under the moon on a beach in costa rica. Watchout!

My point is this: you never know what's around the next corner, what a red light caused you to miss, what a breakup saved you from. You can only trust that the world is a loving place, and wants the best for you. If you let it, it will push you right where you need to be.

Namaste.

Monday Night Flow: Heyyyyyy Feet!

2009-10-26T22:08:00.015-04:00

There is something about putting your head on your feet that changes your perspective.

Firstly, I had no idea that my head was that close to my feet. I didn't realize that I was holding myself up with my arms, and then I relaxed into the pose... pat, there were the bottoms of my feet... on the top of my head.

A visual:

Heeeeeeey FEET! That was pretty cool.

For the record, we were doing a modification of this pose in which the spine is more rounded and the head and neck hang loose so that the top of the head comes in contact with the floor (or feet!).

Prior to this meeting of my feet, I had been trying to have no thoughts, and while having no thoughts, I thought of something pretty interesting. I've had a few classes now where I a) do something that I had no idea that I could do and I'm rather proud of myself or b) I have no idea what I'm doing, I try it and it's hard / terrible and I'm still proud of myself. When I push, I either press up right against my boundaries or I find that I can go significantly farther than I thought I could.

In class tonight I remembered that we all have our unique set of challenges. There are situations that flaunt your strengths and situations that expose your weaknesses and no one's are the same. In yoga, we all come to neutral territory: the mat. Some people are really strong, but not so flexible and vice versa. Different poses favor one or the other, but we all bring our own mix to the mat and work it out from there.

In life, everyone is the product of his or her own experience, and you never quite know someone's story until you start bumping into their shit. Just like in our homes, no one's stuff is going to be set up the same way yours is, and you can't run around telling people how to arrange their furniture. In life, you have to create the mat. You have to hold that neutral space in which you allow others to come to you as they are, without judgment, without telling them how to be. That safe place is what invites people in, and what creates trust in any relationship.You have to maintain your boundaries, but you also need to have some give.

Strong and flexible.

Namaste.

Best Week Ever

2009-10-25T21:11:00.004-04:00

I had a mellow class this afternoon. Exactly what I needed: easy and SOLID.

This has been one of the best weeks of my year. I did almost 9 hours of yoga, and spent some quality time with myself working through my stuff, and I feel good.

I've realized something about yoga, part of what draws me to it, and it's something that my friend Holly said once that I didn't really understand at the time, "One of the greatest benefits of yoga is that it makes the part of us that creates drama smaller, and the part of us that is connected to the divine source bigger." It opens our heart and mind and spirit to the 'everything else' that exists beyond the scope of our bullshit.

There is so much pretense in human relationships. So much emotional push and pull to get what we want out of other people. So many people trying to suck us into their drama.

I'm going to go ahead and yoga out and quote Eat Pray Love.
Elizabeth Gilbert wrote, "your emotions are slave to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." One thing that I've learned this week is that I can control my thoughts. In controlling my mind, in not letting it roam free, I get to decide how I'm going to feel. In controlling my thoughts, I am no longer subject to my every emotional whim (or the whims of others). When something comes up that I would normally react to, I can decide whether or not I want to get involved in the drama that emotion would command. I received an annoying text message today and I really just wanted to tear the sender a new one. Unfortunately, that would have only upset me. He'd have just gotten what he wanted, a reaction. I chose not to respond and I chose not to let myself give in. This self-restraint saved me a lot of energy, and I refuse to be anyone's emotional monkey.

I love yoga because it creates peace in my life. A quiet place for me, and a quiet me for everyone else.

I honestly believe that if everyone did yoga, we'd have peace on earth. We would.

Namaste.

harder than I thought

2009-10-23T12:09:00.017-04:00

Would you like anything with that serving of ass, Catie?

No, no, just hand it to me please. A towel would be nice though.

I had no idea what I was doing today. And I was sweating like a stuck pig. And I will never wear cotton, or possibly even long pants, to yoga ever again. Eff.

Apparently friday morning is hot, perfect housewife hour. Or maybe, wear your diamond ring to yoga day. Or possibly bring your triathlete friends to class friday. I dunno. Regardless, all of my insecurities and self-conscious crap came BOILING to the surface and I felt slightly resentful of the perfect blondes with their perfect outfits who were barely breaking a sweat. I tried to tell myself that I was getting more out of it than they were, but who is to say? And does that really even matter? I'm there for me... right? Right. Ok, so after working through all of that, I had to confront the whole concept of just meeting myself wherever I happen to be that day, on my mat and ready to work. Oh, wait. On my mat. I need my own mat. Really bad. I can't continue to sweat all over their mats. It makes me feel gross. If you would like to buy me one, feel free. Just had to put that out there.

So I've worked though my perfect blonde triathlete angst and the most amazing thing happened!

Our instructor said to me: 'Catie, are you sure there's nothing I can get you before I hand you your ass?" to which I replied: "Yes, actually, can I get some gangsta rap?"

She played Playaz Club by Rappin For-tay. Right between Sting and Tracy Chapman. There might have been some Where is the Love? for my JT fix, I think that there was, but there was PLAYAZ CLUB. Unbelievable. It was instrumental, obvs, bc otherwise we'd have been listening to this: (I so needed an excuse to put this track in the blog - keep reading while you take in its gangsta fabulousness)

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Not exactly, grounding, but AWESOME nonetheless. Anyway - that was a nice reprieve.

But back to the PAIN, the SWEAT, and the side of awesome gangsta rap I got with my serving of ASS.

I suffered it out. I was a mess! I was ready to get home. I wanted to flee. I was embarrassed at how sweaty and gross I was, I didn't even want them to have to touch me to correct my posture. I was embarrassed by how little I knew about what I was doing. And, again, just like work, I have to study to be good at something. When I don't know, I look it up. Same rules apply.

So, back to the drawing board. I'm not even thinking of not going tomorrow. But I have to know what I know, and know when to ask questions. I need to go at my own pace, and not feel like I'm keeping up with the blondes; I got over that a long time ago.

Onward and upward.

Namaste.

FAIL! (not really)

2009-10-22T15:04:00.007-04:00

I went to yoga. I couldn't help myself. It was just an hour, just a teensy hour of nice mellow lunchtime yoga... that doesn't really count, right? I mean, I hardly broke a sweat! although, I did eat a really delicious tempeh reuben at the Remedy Diner after...mmmmmm. anyway. What could I have possibly gotten out of that?

Well, aside from a nice relaxing workout, I got..... A BUZZ!!! I totally did! And I didn't even see it coming. I was all 'ooh, interesting, this is just me being in my routine!' 'oohh where's the lesson? where is it?' 'oooh now I don't have to go running!'

And then, two minutes into Savasana, I could feel it. In my hands. It's like I could feel my 'pulse', a shift of energy out and then a shift back in. The energy in my hands was unmistakable, as though the universe was giving me what I needed to go out and do everything that I need to do. Buzz!

Lunch hour = quick fix. Win!

Namaste.

A little bit more...

2009-10-22T07:35:00.009-04:00

Today is my first 'day off.' I'm using the quotations because I can't say that I really trust myself to stay away from the studio. Since there may not be any huge revelations today as my plans include running with the dog and going to the fair, I figured it would be a good time to give a little of the back story of this project.

I graduated from acupuncture school in December of last year. I'd been studying in Boulder, Colorado, land of hard core yogis and gazelle-like runners. No matter what I did in Boulder, someone was always better at it than I was. There was always somebody who had just gotten back from an ashram in India or saving children in China. The yoga classes I attended were more than intimidating. These women did Ironman triathalons, were world class climbers (Lynn Hill, anyone?), and even the old ladies had been at it since the seventies and sent my poor downward dog into a downward spiral. I gave up. I rejected anything that qualified as 'woo-woo' - abandoning my favorite Prana hiking pants, Om embossed tank tops, nose ring, marijuana, chacos... well, maybe not my chacos, but anything that reeked of Boulder had to go. I was an acupuncturist in a yoga class in boulder, colorado and I'd started to feel like something of a cliche.

After I finished school, I moved to Asheville to live with a dear friend from college who I hadn't seen in some years, but we had reconnected on myspace (I know) and subsequently Facebook and rebuilt some sort of internet based relationship. We generally partied our way through the winter, I survived my licensing exams, made a couple of ill-conceived dating decisions and eventually rented a house with another friend from college and made more ill-advised choices. I ate a lot of pork ribs, drank many Pisgah Pale Ales, watched many basketball games and worked as little as possible. I gained twenty pounds and was pretty miserable. Somehow I had picked a town of 50,000 people with about 100 acupuncturists and minimal disposable income.

About halfway through the summer, I packed up and moved to Raleigh. Some very special folks made the transition incredibly easy. I was set up with a nice condo, some new-old friends, some new-new friends, a couple of new fave hang out spots, a large population of folks interested in acupuncture and minimal competition.

At the end of September, I decided to open my own practice. I saw the space on the 23rd, signed a lease on the 28th and was up and running October 12th. It was a crazy two weeks, detailed (for the most part) here.

Over the course of September, I'd been going to some yoga classes at Seaboard Fitness. There were a couple of instructors there that I really liked, and one of them told me about blue lotus. I really enjoyed his classes, but as I got deeper into my (once a week if that) 'practice' I realized that I wanted a little bit more. Gym yoga is great, but eventually people coming in late, the sounds of the treadmills and general smell of the gym started to take away from the experience I was seeking. I'm also really big on community, and not to insult the practice of anyone there, but I was searching for a group of people who would support me as I went through this journey. Of starting my business. Of turning thirty. Of finding my Truth, my purpose in this life.

I was on my way out of town last friday, but decided not to go for various reasons, not the least of which was my newfound paranoia about swine flu. I went to a free class on Ayurveda at blue lotus on saturday afternoon. I loved the space, it felt like a place that I would design (but better!), were I going to start a yoga studio. I went to a level 1 class on sunday afternoon. I was smiling as I hit the mat for savasana.

I came back with a friend for a Stretch and Flow class on monday night (post on that here) that blew my mind. I went to a Yin Practice class on tuesday night (post ) that, though it didn't blow my lid off, left me with a greater sense of respect for my teachers and a greater sense of purpose for my practice. I committed and signed up for a year. I wanted this every day, and at 15$ a pop, that was impossible. Paying monthly costs $95 and if I go every day that's $3.16 per class. That's less than coffee (which I don't drink anymore, incidentally).

So my non-committal Sagittarian self is committed to something for one year. I am turning thirty in December, and I've said that I want to enter this birth year as the best version of myself that I've ever been. I want to lose the weight I put on in Asheville, I want to lose the baggage I've acquired from years of not paying attention. I want to start a successful business and have something to show for my years of hard work that supports me, financially and personally. Yoga is my gift to myself. It is also a gift to my friends and family, my patients and my community. I always want people to leave my presence feeling better than they did before, never worse. I want to shed the part of me that is critical, of myself and of others, and learn to live with intention and on purpose. This is my year.

One year of yoga (hopefully followed by many more), and what I hope will be my best year yet.

Namaste.

No Woo for You!

2009-10-21T22:37:00.001-04:00

So, I returned to my Flow & Stretch class of monday night - dead set on finding my buzz.

I found: tight hips, a craving for chinese food, a list of things to do to get patients, and the harsh realization that 'enlightenment,' or the Woo as I shall henceforth refer to it, might be a little harder to come by than I had thought. Also, I found that my practice tonight was a bit more painful than I had been anticipating. I have dived into this adventure thinking that as I come by flexibility naturally, I just get to coast through the physical part. Not so. Just as I came by a lot of things I learned in school pretty easily, that doesn't necessarily mean that my practice will be a success right off the bat. I'm going to have to start at the beginning, and make sure that my foundations are strong as I progress, in both things.

I'm seeing so many parallels between my practice and my practice (that being my work and my yoga), that reaffirm my conviction that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Yoga is the yin to my work's yang. I get to take back in what I have put out over the course of my day. I am creating routine for myself which allows me to better keep track of changes (good and bad) and anything that may be out of balance. When things are going smoothly, I am able to easily find my 'space' in yoga. When something is out of whack I can't tune it out and I know that I need to give that imbalance my attention. It's a rather convenient system of checks and balances that I have set up for myself.

I think that my buzz of monday was a just a little taste of what's to come, just as the joy I get out of working on people is just a taste of how gratifying my work can be as I get deeper into it. Tonight, I didn't get my buzz on, but I did get a healthy taste of reality, and that may turn out to be more enlightening. Only entropy comes easily, and chaos is not what we're working towards.

Namaste.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

2009-10-20T22:14:00.004-04:00

my third yoga class in a ROW! and I totally bit the bullet tonight and paid for a year (monthly auto debit, but I get to go as much as I want!) I am ridiculously excited about this.

I went into this class, a 'yin practice,' unsure of what to expect. Turns out that we hold poses longer to focus more on relaxing deeper tissues in the body. It's definitely more difficult to keep my focus, but I did my best to not get annoyed. Some of them really hurt! and we were on the mat the whole time.

At one point during the class (did I mention that our instructor read How to Eat Fried Worms?) - I began to wonder what, exactly, I was going to get out of this. I wasn't going to get my groove on like I had the night before, maybe some good stretching? Was there going to be no buzz????

I'm not sure when this was, but I started thinking about all that I had learned. About myself, while I was in grad school, about all the teachers over the years who had taken an interest in me and in my education. What had they hoped for me? What had I hoped for for myself everytime I had begun a new endeavor. And it struck me: I owe them. I owe my teachers my success out of respect and gratitude. They have spent so much time and effort to get me to where I am now, that I owe it to them to make it happen. Not just to make it happen, but to flourish.

I left class grounded and focused. I need to live eat and breathe acupuncture the same way I have been with yoga. This is my life. The teaching, the giving, the learning, the taking. It's all balance. I am not one thing, I am everything that anyone has ever taught me.

As I drove to the office to pick up some books, I realized that I'd gotten something out of it, out of class. Not the buzz that my newly found yoga junkie self was craving, but something more significant maybe. Something more for everyone that I touch and for everyone who has touched my life and not just for me. I was worried that I would fall into a selfish place with my practice and lose sight of everything else I need to be doing, but something this wonderful and expansive won't even let me be selfish. Tonight the yogalove said to me: 'no buzz for you young padwan, only lessons!'

Namaste.

Monday Night Flow: Total Woo Woo

2009-10-19T22:15:00.000-04:00

whoa. my yoga class tonight absolutely blew. my. mind.

my mind is blown.

like, blown up. my mind is... blown up.

whoa.

WHOA.

ok. so I went to yoga. I took my friend Steven. We had a yoga date. That kind of made me nervous bc I like feeling anonymous. I left my dog at his house, that also made me nervous. And I am kind of running out of money. Also = nervous.

But I went.

There were too many people there. I think that I wasn't super excited about the class at first. I can't really even remember that far back. At one point I remember becoming very aware of the pose we were in, not because I was uncomfortable, but just because it was the only thing I was aware of. As far as I knew, I may have only ever done that pose. That may have been the only thing I had ever done. For all I knew, that moment was my whole life's purpose. It was mind blowing. (did I mention it blew my mind?)

So at that point, I was high as a ^(*&%&^%(^ing kite. (I didn't even try to make that a word - I also have no words apparently). I was ready to given them my credit card and just go ahead and pay off a year of yoga (to the tune of $925); I was clearly out of my mind.

But as class wound down, I got into some pretty deep stretches, and was surprised at how far I was able to go. When it was over, I felt so amazing. I felt happy and calm and, most importantly,I had realized that I am enough. To make me happy, to be successful, to keep me entertained.

I am enough.

I saw everything that I am, everything I have been and a glimpse of what I may be. It is enough. I don't need anyone to validate me or make me feel whole. I have everything I need to be everything I need to be. It is so comforting and freeing. It blows my mind.

The buzz slowly wore off. When we left, Steven and I were ready to quit our (pretty awesome self-employed) jobs and run away to costa rica to open a yoga retreat. It would be awesome in a very eatpraylove kinda way. By the time we got back to the house, we were more 'oh-haha - we were totally going to quit our jobs to go do yoga. let's eat.'

But the glow lingers...

Namaste.

Begin it now.

2009-10-18T06:35:00.001-04:00

Dark-thirty.

My favorite time.

I find that I have so much more time for all things when I'm up before the sun and on my way before most have even eaten breakfast. I am productive in this time, relaxed, in tune.

I can see what is, and what should be. I had an interesting experience this weekend - as a failed road trip opened me up to a transformation. I knew that something was afoot, and that I needed to be available for the change, so I drove halfway to Asheville, stopped for gas, and headed home. Something told me to stay.

As a last minute plan, I attended a class on ayurveda. Inspired, I reconnected with a friend from school who is really into yoga and ayurveda and who was incredibly influential in my life in Colorado. It was great to catch up, but more so, our conversation, like so many before it, was so motivating. To hear that her practice is doing well (i knew it would), and that she is thriving (I'm so glad she is) made me feel so much better about what I'm doing here in Raleigh.

I can't believe the opportunity that has been given to me here. I must remember to make the most of it, make the most of every day, of every minute. I must trust my intuition, and take nothing for granted.

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has power and magic in it. Begin it now."

- Goethe

And so I do.

Keeping Calm & Carrying On

2009-10-16T17:12:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, this is all I can do. After my virtual run-in this morning, I was a little shaken, but worked though it, talked with my mom and decided to hit the road. Unfortunately, I got about halfway to the mountains and decided to turn around. I wasn't feeling so hot, was a little preoccupied with work, and was generally of the impression that I needed to stay home. A bummer, since I really really REALLY wanted to see my friends. Hopefully it will be productive as I'm feeling rather motivated in spite of everything.

I've realized that taking care of myself is the most important thing. No matter what anyone else does or says, so long as I have me, healthy and sane, I'm all good.

My re-planned weekend? Painting my bedroom, yoga, homeopathics and some Swine Flu research.

Calm, and moving on.

Note to Self: Don't go looking for trouble.

2009-10-16T10:04:00.000-04:00

It will find you eventually, so sit tight and stay ready.

Dnot search for your ex on twitter because you think that there's no way that he's actually on there. He is. And he RTs his wife's posts. And they have a blog, just bought a house, and are really happy. They play outside, generally have a good time, and do many of the things that you and he used to do together. Try not to hate them.

Dear Me: I do NOT hate them. You know, I think that the one thing that can make a person happiest is finding someone who shares his love of life. Of his life. Not of the life that you wanted with him. So, on that note, I am happy for them. Not quite to the 'let's have lunch and catch up next time I'm home' stage just yet, but I'd really rather hear that he's happy with someone else than know I'm unhappy with him firsthand.

Something I say a lot: Things change. People come and go. Life moves on (if you let it).

This is so true right now. He is not the person I dated when we were twenty two. We are both different now. She is the right person for him and hopefully, he for her, and just because I haven't found my person yet doesn't mean that a) I'm less happy than they are. b) there's no one out there for me or c) that anything happening to them has anything to do with me. They have their life, I have mine. Separate. I can choose to be happy for them, or I can not. Just as I can choose to be happy for myself, or I can not.

I have my own business. I have great friends. I have a sweet dog and a loving family. I have plenty to be happy about.

I'm also about to load up my car and head to the mountains for the weekend to hang with Boo, and THAT definitely = Happy.

Thanks for sharing in my morning therapy sesh.

And if I say 'happy' one more time I'm going to have to slap someone.

Am I in the mood for Evil? .... or Pie?

2009-10-13T22:46:00.000-04:00

Apparently, I am in the mood for work.

As Fall sets in, I am reminded of how much I crave balance. It's getting colder and everything is beginning to hunker down for winter, and yet, I feel like I am pushing myself farther out, and there is an odd conflict there. I know that I have to be exposed in order for my business to succeed, I cannot hide and just hope that things take off without me. However, there has to be another side, the 'rest' so-to-speak - that being 'all that is else' and also 'the reprieve.' I find that I'm taking that space for myself out of my personal life. There is work, and there are naps, and there is pie and episodes of my favorite shows waiting for me in iTunes. There are patients and interviews and networking and lectures. There is balance. There is time to take it all in, and that's all I need.

The Recap

2009-10-12T14:30:00.006-04:00

I had high hopes for my blogging, but then I decided to open my own business. Blogging: not high on my list of shit to do. Going to IKEA: SUPER high on my list of shit to do!

Here's the breakdown.

I woke up on the morning of Sunday, September 20th, and I was ON FIYAH. It was around 5am, and I had dreamed up the perfect concept for my acupuncture practice. I knew it would work, I needed funding, and I need to make things happen.

I spent the day brainstorming everything I needed / wanted to happen, put together a business plan, and got to work on a website, etc. I did a little shopping around for a good space and put some feelers out with like minded folks I know in town.

On Wednesday, September 23rd, I went to check out the space that would ultimately house my practice. It felt amazing, had great light and was the perfect size / price. I emailed the landlord about my situation, and they were more than willing to work with me on deposits to get me in for as little money possible.

Here's the space when I first saw it:

So, I tweaked my business plan for the next couple of days and figured out exactly what I needed. Priced furniture, various associations I wanted to join, etc.

On monday the 28th of September I signed my lease (and my landlords waived my first month's rent!), applied for my LLC, registered my business name, applied for a tax ID, joined the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, registered my website, purchased carbon offsets, practice management software and found someone who would paint the space for me for $50! (I made him let me pay him $75 and give him a treatment) Quite a day. I came home and started working on copy for the website.

Tuesday the 29th - I purchased paint (Benjamin Moore Natura - all VOC free water based - remarkable product that I highly recommend) and picked up my keys to the office so I could let my new friend Rob in to paint. I mostly worked on website design and figured out what I was going to get at IKEA.

Wednesday the 30th - I drove to Charlotte to go to IKEA, and a good friend was kind enough to let me borrow his truck. Met my old roommate at the store so I'd have some company, and acquired a desk, two chairs, a desk chair, a cool glass lamp and a large cabinet to keep all of my supplies. I was exactly on budget and out of there in two hours. I got home and built the cabinet and then headed out for a cocktail.

Thursday October 1st - I continued building furniture and figuring out what I wanted to go in the space. I placed a hefty needle order with Lhasa OMS and packed up all my work stuff from the house.

On Friday the second of October I'm sure I did some stuff, but I can't remember what. I agonized over a table for behind my desk for a while and fretted about art. I decided on one from CB2, a cool mod Sarinaan-esque lamp, some fun lucite desk accessories and a beautiful photograph of a magnolia blossom. I placed my orders on sunday and messed with website copy for a few hours. The following week (that being Monday October 5th through the ninth) - I ate my weight in chinese food from five star (love!), received my lhasa order on monday, my cb2 oder came on tuesday, wednesday and thursday, I set up my bank accounts, my print came friday and I did my first treatment on friday afternoon! (and went for more Chinese).

Ta Da! I give you The Acupuncture Studio!

As of saturday, October 10th we are live on the web at www.theacupuncturestudio.net!

And you can become a fan on facebook too! CLICK HERE. Almost 100 fans in 24 hours!

I would like to say that I can't believe I put this together in less than three weeks, but I can! I can believe it! I worked my butt off and made things happen. I waited until I knew exactly what I wanted, made a plan and worked it out. I am incredibly proud of myself for staying focused and now I have a place that I am so excited to bring people into, that I know is soothing and calm, that I hope brings health and well-being to everyone who crosses its threshold. Welcome, and enjoy!