welcome to april at tranquil space. i’m fresh back from leading a retreat at a beautiful farmhouse in new york where we spent a lot of time focusing on our intentions for spring. this quote by anais nin has been a favorite for years and felt appropriate to share this month as nature is in full bloom around us.

we’re through the first quarter of a new year. how does it feel? how are your intentions unraveling? what would you like to explore further?

flowers are blooming, veggies are multiplying at the farmers markets, and forward folds are getting easier. spring is finally here! join us at tranquil space to relish spring. support some good causes and our teacher trainees in upcoming charity events and check out our workshops to help you embrace spring.  see the offerings below or online at tranquilspace.com/workshops. if you have ideas for the studio feel free to drop me a line at jo@tranquilspace.com.

• we have loads of inspiring lifestyle and yoga workshops scheduled this spring, including:
  

  intro to budokon 4 week series with mimi rieger.  wednesdays, april 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 8:30 – 9:45pm.

  follow the beat of your heart with niya and special guest musicians.  thursdays, april 2, 9,  23, and 30, from 7:30 – 9:00pm. *drop ins welcome.

  80’s yoga with kimberly and dj ten (aka marq few).  friday, april 3 from 7:00 – 8:30pm.

  adoption event saturday, april 4 from noon – 2:30pm.  adopt a new pet, donate, or just learn more!

  charity class to benefit the humane society with teacher trainees.  two classes on sun, april 5th, 11am and 12:45.  $15 suggested donation.

  yoga + writing with kimberly.  sunday, april 5 from 3:00 – 6:00pm

  magical late night yoga with pary.  friday, april 17 from 8:00 - 10:00pm.

  charity class to benefit rhonda's club, dc's ovarian and gynecologic cancer coalition with tranquil space teachers in training.  sunday, april 19th from 10:00 - 11:15 am.

  hips and hammies with siobhan.  sunday, april 19 from 1:30 - 3:30pm.

  infant massage (for babies 2 - 8 months) with barbara jazzo.  tuesday, april 21 & april 28 from 10:00 - 11:00 am.  you can take a single class or both.
  

  newbie yogi workshop with gina.  friday, april 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
  

  detox & renew with kevin.  saturday, april 25 from 3:00 - 5:00pm.

  alanna kaivalya and simon park coming in may!

• cozy cabin retreat with dibora amanuel
  april 24 - 26. 
  come celebrate spring in a sunny cabin in lovely berkeley springs, west virginia! 
   
• costa rica retreat with kimberly wilson & pary williamson
  may 23 - 30. 
  a week-long escape focused on yoga as a lifestyle.
   
• skip the line!  if you sign up for classes online regularly ask the front desk for a scan card. you can then skip the line at the front desk every time you sign up online. just scan your card and go!
   
• donation based on-the-go economy got you down? come to our pay what you can invigorating all-levels flow for busy people on a budget. tuesday at 8:30pm.  pay cash or credit when you arrive (minimum credit card charge $10) or sign up online using your class pass.
  
   

  spring challenge adventure. emerge from the winter doldrums and invigorate yourself with 20 yoga classes in april! see front desk for your personalized passport. at month’s end, you’ll feel energized, empowered by your consistent practice, and inspired for the warm weather! $149 for 20 classes - good through april 30. redeem your completed passport at the end of the adventure for: a tranquil space klean kanteen and your first month of tranquil space membership at $100.

  tranquil space foundation is proud to host the 2009 lunafest in washington, dc april 23rd from 7:00-9:00 pm. lunafest features short films by, for and about women. 100% of proceeds from the dc lunafest will benefit tranquil space foundation and the breast cancer fund.

• tranquil space book group.
  drink tea, meet fellow yogis, and discuss the book of the month. april's book is /the alchemist/ by paulo coelho.  friday, 4/10, 6:00 - 7:00 pm. free event.  join the book group on facebook.
   
• earth day celebration tea.  
  join tranquil space in celebration of earth day.  share your efforts to be more eco-conscious, hear from other yogis about their practices, and pick up an herb seedling. wednesday, april 22nd from 6:00 - 7:00pm.  free event.
   
• 
  join the online tranquil space community
   
• 
  follow tranquil space on twitter!
  
  
• have an idea that you'd love to see happen at tranquil space? visit mytranquilspaceidea.com and share your suggestion!

each month we choose a pose to focus on in each class through strong attention to alignment, variations, and/or modifications as a way to grow and expand our yogic horizons.

the ephemeral beauty of the cherry trees in blossom marks the formal arrival of spring in washington, d.c. like no other symbol, and april’s asana of the month finds us dancing for joy in celebration of nature’s great transformation. natarajasana is a representation of shiva, lord of the dance, as well as the transformational aspect of the vedic trinity, who brings rebirth, new beginnings and evolution. longtime iyengar yoga teacher and scholar, kofi busia, notes that shiva “helps yogis realize there is more to the world than the immediately evident dichotomy between the physical and nonphysical, the other and non-other. when you first practice natarajasana,” he continues, “you’ll likely be focused on the physical aspects of the pose because it is so challenging. learning it requires tremendous patience, persistence, and resolve…. eventually you'll start to find the eternal and the nonphysical within what might at first have appeared to be the temporal and physical. then one day, after much perseverance and devotion, you will overcome all obstacles and you will effortlessly feel shiva’s cosmic dance of the coming into and the going out of being and nonbeing. existence will be divine. and as…b.k.s. iyengar says, your body will become a temple, this asana a prayer.”

natarajasana (dancers pose):

nata = actor, dancer, mime
raja = king

benefits:

- stretches the shoulders and chest
- stretches the thighs, groins, and abdomen
- strengthens the legs and ankles
- improves balance
 

this title is reserved for yogis who have shown a strong dedication to their practice, are enthusiastic about their growth, and enjoy sharing it with others.

lee zeichner

i can’t begin to describe how grateful i am to the tranquil space community for the support i receive. when asked about the studio and my experience i have to admit that the practice is not at all what i expected: the athleticism of the participants far exceeds anything i have seen in other sports; the active encouragement to improve and expand is also surprising, especially since so much of practice is visceral and experienced in small acts of kindness and encouragement. kimberly, tim and the entire staff have managed to create an environment that is both uniquely personal, but also a community – fitting in light of the zen philosophy that permeates the studio!
 

this title is reserved for members of our team who embody the tranquil space values, excel in their role at the studio, and have a passion for their practice.

daria gasparini

a good friend introduced me to tranquil space a few years ago, and i’m so glad she did! the studio on p street was located a few blocks from my office and quickly became my place to go to unwind after a long workday or reenergize for the night ahead.

the opening of the arlington studio was a great opportunity for me to join the tranquil space team. the dupont team was always so warm and encouraging, and i thought – i can do that! it has been great fun watching the arlington studio grow and making new friends. my goal is to be well-informed, efficient, and friendly to students and supportive of teachers and other team members.

over the years, tranquil space has helped me improve my yoga practice and given me confidence to try new things. another outcome of my involvement with the studio – an unexpected one – has been my mother’s decision to take up yoga. i like to think that my enthusiasm motivated her, but she has always been athletic and open to new experiences, so i should give her some credit! but now when we see each other for holidays and other visits it is something special that we can do together. (and now i know why certain poses give me such trouble – it’s in the genes!)
 

spring is finally here and just in time are the vibrant colors from the TranquiliT spring line. the colors are inspired by the names of flowers such as peony, bluebonnet and iris. these colors are sure to get you noticed on the town and in your next yoga class.

a few new styles and designs have been introduced, including my new favorite, the 2-in-1 maxi dress. changes have been made on the cardishawl, kimono wrap and other pieces, giving more length in the body.

you will notice yet another change in the boutique. we have a hanging bar for clothes, which has created a more spacious area by the entrance. along with the new changes are some old favorites including babar's yoga for elephants, 365 books (devotions and offerings) and manduka cork blocks.

be kind to mother earth and keep hydrated with the beautiful stainless steel bottles from earthlust. the bottles come in 3 sizes, 1 litre, 20 and 13 ounces. each features a carabiner to keep you from losing your libation.

we appreciate all of your support and continued input. please send your suggestions and feedback to me at marq@tranquilspace.com.

join the spa at tranquil space april 13-19 for a special week of self-care! try out an astrology reading or an ayurvedic consultation, or indulge in that massage you've been thinking of: all spa services will be discounted 25%! celebrate this week with a complimentary mini-workshop on budget-conscious self-care with spa manager brooke hafner in the tranquil space tea bar: 6pm friday, april 17.

the spa at tranquil space has launched the massage-a-month club! indulge yourself in 12 one hour massages for the price of 11 ($82.50 a session), a complimentary face treatment of choice, and seasonal self care talks with spa manager brooke hafner. inquire at the front desk for information!

looking to get the most out of your visit to tranquil space? try our new on and off the mat special! enjoy one 6 class pass and a one hour swedish massage for $148!
the spa at tranquil space invites you to enjoy a reflexology package treatment or a regular reiki session for $75 through the end of may 2009!

the spa team at tranquil space is seeking a licensed massage therapist for a temporary saturday shift 10am-6pm through mid may. compensation: commission based plus unlimited yoga and discounts on workshops and boutique merchandise. please send cover letter and resume to brooke@tranquilspace.com.

how our spa can benefit you:

• reduce stress and enhance relaxation
• promote deeper and easier breathing
• reduce blood pressure
• strengthen the immune system
• enhance capacity for calm thinking and creativity
• increase awareness of mind-body connection
• develop and enhance your practice on and off the yoga mat
• foster a feeling of well-being and peace of mind

karma yoga is the yoga of selfless action: from feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, housing the poor and helping all in need. it is also the offering of our ingenuity, inventiveness, wisdom, love, and connection to humanity. there are many ways to do this…through teaching, community service, the arts, meditation, charity work and more.

we've created a new karma yoga corner both online and at the studio to give you tools to connect with each other and the community. contact our karma yoga director niyati shah with any feedback or questions.

saturday, april 4 adoption event
12pm-2:30pm
join the washington humane society at tranquil space for our spring adoption event! meet your new best friend and fill out an application on a pup or kitty (non-binding!), learn how to volunteer with us or foster animals for WHS, donate a dollar or two, and much much more! for more information go to www.washhumane.org or call 202.576.6839. meet your new best friend in your own backyard!

sunday, april 5th charity class benefit for humane society
11am-12:15pm and 12:45pm-2pm
join tranquil space teacher trainees for a fun and creative donation-based class to help our furry four-legged friends at the washington humane society. your generosity will help protect and defend homeless, abused and abandoned animals. the humane society is the only congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the united states, and cares for more than 15,000 animals each year through a broad range of services. if you can’t rescue your new best friend at the tranquil space adoption day on april 4, why not offer loving kindness to animals everywhere through yoga? suggested donation $15.

sunday, april 19th charity class benefit for rhonda's club
10-11:15am
this is a charity class, led by tranquil space teachers in training, with proceeds going to rhonda’s club, dc’s ovarian cancer and gynecologic cancer coalition. rhonda’s club is committed to battling gynecologic cancers by raising public awareness, educating survivors and medical professionals, and supporting research to improve the quality of life and find cures. enjoy a gentle, nurturing flow with plenty of heart openers and lots of assists perfect for newbies or yogis looking for a karma yoga class. $15 suggested donation.

saturday may 16th 5th annual doga in the park!
1-2:30pm
bring your yoga mat and your canine yogi (bring your own, borrow one, or come alone) for an afternoon of frolicking at rose park (23rd and p st., nw). tranquil space is teaming up with one of our ongoing charities, washington humane society (whs), and doggie style bakery to create an afternoon of fun focused around your four-legged best friends. kimberly wilson will lead puppy parents and friends through a complimentary yoga practice for all-levels in the park. treats will be provided to humans and canines! $10 donation requested for whs. no pre-registration required. just drop by! to learn more about whs, visit http://www.washhumane.org/upcomingevents.asp.

tea is full of antioxidants and has a tranquil effect on our busy lives. we are excited to offer a comfy space for yogis to connect before and after class. after searching high and low to find the perfect organic, fair trade teas to compliment your practice, we are delighted to share our favorite chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, and rosehip blends. in our tea bar we have yummy bulk tea for sale and oodles of it for you to sip.