Squash Soup and Green Walls: Synergy Pilates and Yoga

A few years ago, I took a few yoga classes at Synergy. I loved the green walls and wood floor, calming and at the same time invigorating. I loved that I was surrounded by women from all ages and walks of life. No matter how different we were, we were all after the same goal - wellness.

I pass by Synergy every day during my commute. I often look over at it and remember how good I felt when I went there, just that handful of times; the impact was that powerful.

So when I heard they were hosting an open house this week, I decided to give it a go - to remind myself what it felt like to walk through those doors looking to be Well.

It turns out Synergy isn't just about Pilates and yoga classes; across the parking lot in another space, it's a regular gym - treadmills, Zumba classes, etc. But the vibe is the same - Feel Good, Move More, Be Well. Some women who had just finished a spinning class came to the open house, looking equal parts spent and satisfied. They didn't have that smug, I'm-better-than-you-because-I-just-kicked-my-own-ass, competitive air about them - they were just happy to have had a good workout.

I'm tempted to try that gym out; as you know, I have a bit of an issue with my current gym. Maybe Synergy would be different. Or maybe I'm just the kind of girl who needs to exercise outside (and hibernate during the winter months).

The open house was packed with fitness enthusiasts, bloggers, social media people, and the usual Movers and Shakers of Howard County. I reconnected with old friends and met some new ones. Always a good time when that happens.

Once again, I accidentally stalked Chef Robert Gadsby. I swear that when I signed up for this open house, it was for the health and wellness aspect, not because I wanted to approach the chef, giggle like a school girl, and say inane things "You're good."

Yes, I ended up doing both of those things. Let's move on.

The Chef had prepared two things to give a taste of the offerings at Gadsby's Bar American - a bite-sized smoked turkey and ricotta salata on baguette, and (yippee!) his butternut squash soup. Remember when I told you about his butternut squash soup? Twice? This time around, he served it in individual cups topped with an almond crème fraîche and poppy seeds. (FYI: When he told me about the almond crème fraîche, that's when the "You're good" escaped my soup-soaked lips).

Linganore Wine also had a table, where they were serving tastings and full glasses of their wines. They've changed their labels since the last time I saw them - I like the new labels a lot. Always a sucker for a sweet white wine (especially when the sun is shining and the temperatures are rising), I came back for seconds of their Skipjack blend.

It was really nice to step out of my comfort zone and mingle a bit. Normally, I have the Sous Chef with me as a sort of handsome anchor - but this evening, I was flying solo. At one point, I very consciously walked across the room and engaged a threesome of women who were awkwardly standing near each other, but not talking. Perhaps the Skipjack was the source of my sudden courage, but whatever, I just went with it.

I used this new found bravery to approach one of the name-tag wearing staff members, and it turns out I think I may have some experience with that... I very happily exchanged business cards with her, and am looking forward to a treatment with her as I work to improve my mobility.
it may have been meant to be - I learned that she's a massage therapist who especially loves helping people who are dealing with pain.

See? Doing stuff you don't normally do can work out pretty well in the end.

And I suppose that's what health and wellness are all about - stepping out of your comfort zone in an attempt to better yourself, to reach beyond your current boundaries, and perhaps connect with something more than just your own world.

Be well.