As I arrive at Cass Vineyard and Winery at 10 am Friday morning, it occurs to me that it is a bit early to be visiting a tasting room.  I approach the bar and meet a petite, energetic woman with bright eyes and spiky red-brown hair; she is not opening wines, but rather gathering rolled up foam mats.  Yes, I am off to do yoga in the vineyard.

We walk with our instructor into the vineyards settling in the shade of a large oak tree.  After laying out our yoga mats the class begins.  Our teacher leads a fantastic class beginning with a breathing exercise (which involves sitting still something that, in my opinion, is the most difficult part of yoga), a slow warm up and then moving into more challenging moves (balancing on left index finger and left big toe…not really).  While attempting my back bend, I briefly struggle with the blinding morning sun as it peers through the tree, I adjust (twice) and resume my focus on channeling energy, and, uh, not holding my breath.  Finally we end the routine resting on our backs, closing our eyes, enjoying the open air.   Ah…another hard day at the office…