Six Years Later - The Prayer/Yoga Palace

Six years ago, during the unknown summer of covid, I built the Yoga Palace. This piece was the first log structure I’ve built.

The idea: I needed a place to hang out after working all day. I wondered if I could design and build a covered deck out of dead standing hardwood trees we have on the property?

I decided to find out.

It started with a lot of tree harvesting and testing for strength.

Then shaving and smoothing.

And then construction. I set the posts first, built the deck, and used that as a platform to work on the roof.

None of these trees were straight. None of these trees were the same. I had to make the space use the right tree. “Level, plumb and true” went out the window, Id try my best, but I wasn’t beholden to them. It was very freeing!

Keep in mind, I had no idea what I was doing, I was just building it more by instinct and feel than know how.

I wanted it strong. I wanted it safe. I wanted it beautiful.

And it eventually happened!

To me, it’s always been more of an art piece than a structure. But of course, it can be both. No need to deliniate.

I spent some time in it today, and really saw how well it looks. It’s beautiful. And it photograhs very well - Even after six years and six hard winters.

I’m a better builder now than I was then. Can you regress when you practice? All I can say, is not bad for a first effort.

Its energy is best in the morning, and I like having my coffee here. The birds are offering their morning prayers, and the sun is making it’s fast accent.

I suppose I offer my own morning prayers too, softly sipping coffee, watching the world wake up.