Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.
Squirrels. Some love them or hate them; some find them entertaining or annoying. For many of us city dwellers, squirrels are little more than a minute detail among the bustling backdrop of cars, crowds, and skyscrapers.
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Students in tree pose during Charles MacInerney’s free yoga class (Credit: Charles MacInerney)
Austin is among the top cities in the country for yoga. The offerings continue to grow alongside other booming industries here, and rightfully so. The harder we work, the more we deserve opportunities to relax, breathe, and let go. Thankfully, many establishments are offering wallet-friendly yoga class options.
It’s not that I don’t think a good class or workshop isn’t worth upwards of $20. But it can be good to mix it up with free events here and there. I’ve compiled a list of several unique yoga offerings in Austin: from big studios, to coffeeshop yoga, to pop-up outdoor classes. Here’s where to find free yoga in Austin–or at least donation-based–on every day of the week. [Read more…]
Breathing deeply at Austin Salt Cave (Credit: Amanda Tatom)
Austin Salt Cave is your destination for all things salt. All the products they carry are, in some way, made with salt: lamps, blocks for cooking, lotions, soaps, and sunscreen. There is a selection of edible salt from around the world. I sampled the matcha salt, which had a slight green tinge. Then I tried a small sample of “venom,” made with Trinidad scorpion peppers, which had my mouth burning. Definitely recommended for spice enthusiasts, but use with caution!
Randi Southard, artist and owner of Indra’s Awarehouse (Credit: Cindy Chapter)
Indra’s Awarehouse is a 5,000-square-foot DIY art space located 20 minutes from downtown Austin. That’s 5,000-square-feet full of imagination and liberation, where wacky and wonderful ideas are allowed to take root, and grow into a plethora of multi-sensory experiences.
The Serenity Wellness chair massage team (Credit: Heather Loomis Photography)
For some, the chair massage is a mystical unicorn in the wilderness of the healthcare industry. Does it really work? Where are chair massages available? How do I sit in the chair, and where do my arms go?
The question of whether it works has a simple answer. I believe a massage with a knowledgeable, communicative therapist, of any length of time, can uplift someone’s spirits and make someone’s day. Like anything else regarding health, it is not a silver bullet, especially when dealing with chronic issues. But I can attest to the immediate relief and comfort it provides for countless individuals. As far as where in Austin chair massages are available, I’ve compiled a list of six local, vetted businesses.
(And once you’re in the chair, the therapist will tell you where to put your arms.) [Read more…]
Students taking a hula hoop lesson in Austin (Credit: Misty Smith)
If you’ve ever taken a stroll by the capitol building on a balmy Tuesday night, then you may have witnessed something interesting. From a distance, it appears to be collection of multi-colored lights, twirling chaotically. As you approach, the outlines of people become clearer.
You see people manipulating the lights with their hands and various parts of their bodies. There is a singular source of music, providing atmosphere for these dancers who beg no witnesses, but usually attract some kind of audience anyway. They look like they’re having fun. But, what are they doing?
Austin’s New Year celebration at Auditorium Shores (Credit: Austin’s New Year)
If you haven’t committed to New Year’s Eve plans yet, or if you’re teetering between staying in and going out, then this list might help you make a decision. Many of these options are free or close-to-free, making party-hopping a viable option if you find it hard to settle at one event. Austin nightlife is always lively. But with the increased excitement of New Year’s, it can be tempting to sample more than one scene.
The way we choose to celebrate landmark moments is highly personal. Some like to dance; some like to sit and listen to music; some like heaps of food and drink; some would rather be outdoors; and some have tiny tots to look after. And if you fall into more than one category, then you can pick and choose as you please! [Read more…]
Austin muralist Miles Starkey painted the fence outside Art for the People
Deanna “Dee” Serra founded Art for the People almost five years ago. She identifies as a collector, not so much as an artist. But she certainly has an eye for art. And her organizational prowess has allowed her to bring together a community of individuals who uplift each other. The gallery is truly “for the people,” by the people. [Read more…]
Ley Line (Credit: Thom Washburn)
When I think of Ley Line’s music, I instantly think of what it means to connect. This Austin band’s mission is to bridge the listener and remote parts of the world. Ley Line does this by creating a tapestry of sound that blends language, rhythm, and stories. In action, this multilingual group expresses a deep reverence for the traditions that inspire it.
Cryotherapy saunas use dry cold for healing (Credit: @sethprochazka)
No one moves through life unscathed. Fortunately, there are many massage and holistic healing studios here in Austin. The following are five local businesses that offer diverse, unique, and sometimes surprising services that can be enjoyed alone, or in conjunction with a massage treatment.
