The Open Door: Center for Mind, Body, & Spirit

The Story Behind the Red Door

The Open Door, established in 2003, was one of very first holistic wellness centers in Fayetteville, NC, a town located just outside the gates of Fort Bragg, NC. Not only is Fort Bragg the “Home of the Airborne,” is also the largest military installation in the world. Most of the patrons, student and clients who walked through this red door were veterans and military service members (savvy at jumping out of perfectly good airplanes) and/or their families.

When people walked through that red door they were mostly likely greeted by one of the owners - Army veteran Susan Alden (who started the business just one year after hanging up her jump boots) or sometimes her husband, Jamie Alden, who was still serving in the 3rd Special Forces Group at Bragg at the time.

The Open Door offered classes in yoga, meditation, nutrition, the arts and more. It provided a range of holistic healing modalities including massage therapy, Reiki, lomilomi and Holotropic Breathwork. The unique line of retail included herbal tinctures, essential oils, organic teas, flower essences, locally crafted goods and fine arts. Out of this small, historic home, the first “Mind Body Aloha Retreats” were born as well as the community’s first organic food co-op. When the Army relocated Susan & Jamie, they sold the business, leaving it in the hands two amazing healers who have since moved themselves.

The business is no longer there, but decades later people still talk of this special place where many seeds were planted. Hearts were healed here. Friendships were forged. Healers were born and nurtured. All of these people have now scatter and are sharing their gifts around the world. Many of them, however still live and server the Fort Bragg Community. If you are in Fayetteville and looking for a home to heal, grow and evolve, please check out the Guiding Wellness Institute. Tell the owner (Kelsy Timas) that you opened this red door and found her!

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