Could Mattapoisett become the new Mecca of healing arts? Resident Joelene Marinone thinks so.

Since July, Marinone has been (almost) single-handedly turning the former Watch Captain building at 76 County Road into Life in Balance, a yoga and healing arts center. With only a few minor touch ups to finish, Marinone says the community center is all set for its grand opening Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

With the help of several local teachers, Life in Balance offers yoga, Pilates, tai chi and dance meditation (among many others), but also houses practitioners in reflexology, massage, nutrition and hypnotherapy.

“People have been really curious about what is going on here,” says Marinone, who has been a yoga teacher for 12 years, including at The Yoga Studio in town. “Mattapoisett means ‘a place for rest,’ and in today’s stressful world, we need to slow down and connect our mind and body.”

Although the grand opening is Nov. 12 and 13, Life in Balance has been operating quietly since September. Marinone says she can’t afford to have a receptionist at the building all day, but the door is open while practitioners and teachers are at the building. Schedules are posted online.

“I’ve been knocking down walls, putting new ones up, painting, and putting in glass brick,” Marinone says. “I just finished making a website too. I’ve never done any of those things before. This was a dream of mine, and I decided to make it happen no matter what.”

The two-day open house event will host a free yoga class starting at noon and information sessions with the teachers and practitioners. The events will last from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with 15-minute demonstrations occurring as well. Raffles for free classes or discounted sessions will also be drawn.

“My reward is bringing something important to the town,” Marinone says. “To use alternative healing and get away from that feeling of ‘no pain no gain’ is powerful.”

Visit Life in Balance online at http://www.lifeinbalanceyogahealingarts.com/ for schedules and additional information.