december's e-muse contains: opening muse studio scoop teacher feature asana, yogi, & tranquiliTeam player of the month tranquiliT boutique seasonal specials tranquiliT treatments ongoing offerings enlightening events

dupont studio hours: monday   11:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.  4:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. tuesday   11:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.  4:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. wednesday   11:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.  4:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. thursday   11:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.  4:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. friday   11:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.  4:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. saturday   8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. sunday   10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. and by appointment take a yoga class, shop the tranquiliT boutique or indulge in a tranquiliT treatment

the holidays are in full bloom. festive tunes play throughout the stores, wreaths, lights and menoras are on display, and santa look-alikes welcome holiday shoppers. now is the perfect time to reflect on the reason for this special season, and to set an intention for the holidays. rather than approaching the season with an exhausted list of to-dos, let this year be different. light a balsam fir-scented candle, draw a cinnamon-scented bath, play some of your fave sinatra holiday tunes, and turn off your cell phone. take some time before the rush overcomes you to reflect on the year, and honor this season of giving through these five fabulous holiday tips:

1. write down your milestones from 2005 (ex. began journal writing, left an unhappy relationship, took up a yoga habit, set boundaries with family, found my core), and note what you'd like your milestones to be this time 2006 (ex. query letter sent to publishers, relocate, paid off retail therapy debt, new job in non-profit, cut out fast food).
2. instead of giving gifts this year, give experiences. for example, has your best friend been dying to see a new exhibit at the phillips collection? give her a coupon for a complimentary afternoon on the date of her choice to peruse the exhibit, dine in the museum café, and catch up with you. experiences last so much longer than yet another polka dot scarf and glove set.
3. get into the spirit of giving to yourself. take the time to decorate and relish in the festivities. even if you have a tiny studio apartment, buy a fresh wreath or rosemary tree to nurture your senses, simmer apple cider on the stove, and invite some of your fave friends over to sing carols, roast marshmallows, or watch love actually. practicing restorative yoga at the studio or in the comfort of your own home is another way to replenish during the harried holidays.
4. share your resources with others. there are many ways to volunteer and be of service during this sacred time of the year. what is close to your heart? you can sponsor a child or family for the holiday and buy a couple items to help make their day special through various local organizations. how about fostering a new dog or cat? what about becoming a big sister? or even donating some of your time to a local shelter such as house of ruth. visit a nursing home and watch their faces light up!
5. strategically plan for the busyness of the season. avoid prime time shopping that is sure to challenge that one-pointed focus we strive for in yoga. take a mental health day from the office if you must but, whatever you do, don't hit the stores on the weekends. shop online, ship the items gift wrapped, and only say "yes" to festivities you're excited to attend. if you travel, drink plenty of water, take stretch breaks, load up on vitamin c, and allow ample time on the front and back end of the trip to recover before resuming your regular routine.

cheers to living in the moment, connecting with loved ones, and relishing in the spirit of giving. here's to the holidays! (picture a raised glass with a festive gold bow tied around the stem, filled with a delicious sparkling cranberry juice, topped off with a sliver of orange.)

share your fave ways for staying tranquil during the holidays with other yogis on our community forum. i look forward to mingling off the mat with you at our annual holiday soiree on sunday, december 18. best wishes for a happy and healthy close to 2005. thank you for joining tranquil space on your journey this year.

happy, happy holidays,
kimberly wilson

peruse kimberly's blog and podcast for musings on yoga and lifestyle.

join kimberly THIS friday for an evening of happy hour hip hop yoga. an energetic yoga practice to your fave hip hop tunes.

start the new year with intention. join kimberly for an all-day creativity and yoga retreat saturday, january 21 in the mountains.

• we have loads of inspiring lifestyle and yoga workshops scheduled this winter: holiday hip hop yoga with kimberly, mindful parenting with carol, knitting workshop with anne, newbie workshop with carol, full moon workshop with danielle, and new year's day workshop with kimberly.
• we raised $560 for so others might eat at our thanksgiving charity classes taught by anne and danielle. thank you for supporting this experience!
• save the date: tranquil space's fifth annual holiday soiree at bourbon (formerly called the blue room) on sunday, december 18, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• for the third year, we're collecting unwrapped toys and toiletries for the jewish community center in a big basket in the hallway. share some cheer with children this holiday season.
• class price increase. due to rising expenses in offering the tranquil space experience, effective january 1, drop-ins at the studio will increase to $17 and class passes by approximately $1 per class. please take this into consideration when purchasing passes in december as you'll have all month to get the current rate.
• interested in tranquil space's teacher training? join kimberly on sunday, january 8, for a teacher training Q & A from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
• plan your winter getaway — join kimberly and lisa for yoga in paradise on the sunny caribbean island of tobago.
• news from siobhan troy at tranquil space bethesda:
• thank you for joining siobhan on thanksgiving day. we raised $245 for bethesda cares!

• our new telephone number is 301.654.yoga, where you can also call to get the latest on our move.
• three cheers to elizan, geri, julie, linda, megan, and tracy for completing the level 1 teacher training!
• rejuvenate yourself on dec. 3, with some restorative yoga.
• learn the basics of a vinyasa class with the newbie yogi workshop on december 10.
• celebrate our first year and our new home on december 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• healthy and happy hip flow with kimberly on december 17.
• deepen your practice on a new and different level. join danielle for yin/yang yoga on december 17
• community celebration: our way to celebrate tranquil space yogis' honors and developments! please share your celebrations with us by emailing newsletter@tranquilspace.com.
• a warm welcome to assistant studio manager joanna lo!
• a sad goodbye to lisa farmer richards, who is moving to colorado. your spirit and teaching will be very missed.
• a warm welcome to teacher chuck zebrowski, and to the return of teacher sub pary williamson.
• a warm welcome to sunday studio assistant sonali and to studio assistant sub maureen who takes on a permanent role on saturdays. also a warm welcome to rose, our new towel assistant!
• alexander robert wiseman joined prenatal graduate lainie and partner will on october 26. alex came just after midnight (not without some hesitation), weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces. baby and proud parents are all doing fine.
• congratulations to rebecca bly and megan white on buying their first home!
• congrats to yoginis ladan moeenziai and lori nussbaum who have founded to the talking point, a new, once-a-week e-magazine. they strive to break down complex issues affecting your world: what you need to know about elections in liberia, why you should care about rising interest rates, how to pick out a yoga mat, and where the latest new restaurant is opening on u street - just so that you'll be "in the know."

• share photos of you wearing tranquiliTees around the globe! to be featured in next month's newsletter, send photos to newsletter@tranquilspace.com. this month's features are peg armstrong in brazil, linda wilson, lillian couch, and kimberly wilson during a reunion in lousiana, sabrina morelli in the shibuya section of tokyo, and terri doud's new baby yogi andrea francesco bovio!

lisa farmer richards

it’s funny how life works. it’s wonderful, it’s challenging, it’s mysterious, sometimes painful, and always, always changing — kind of like yoga practice.

five years ago, i moved here from colorado to take my chances at a new relationship and to give a stab at the big city. i’d never lived on the east coast and was looking forward to living in a city with a night-life and a rainbow of people.

my transition was hard — i couldn’t understand why no one said "hi" on the street, and after being accosted by a man screaming distorted language i learned quickly that walking at night by myself was not a wise idea. what kind of a place had i moved to? very soon after my move my relationship began to crumble. "why the hell am i here?" i would ask myself. this was the question i continued to ask for a long time.

i found tranquil space when a friend invited me to take a class with her at the old church space on 16th street. since my move, i’d been searching for yoga classes and teachers that i could connect with. i met kimberly and my first thought was, "how can anyone be this nice?" i began teaching the tuesday evening class shortly after that, and, well . . . that was four and half years ago (and i still think, how can anyone be this nice?).

yoga has been my soft place to fall. i often think of life without my yoga practice and it’s difficult to imagine. my practice is a trusty friend that i can always rely on. through bad relationships and good ones, through deaths and births of loved ones, through the stresses of moving and marriage, and through the general challenges of everyday life, once i step on my mat — even for a little while — i’m able to be engrossed by the power of movement and stillness. i could go on forever about what regular practice has given me — it’s infinite. yoga has made my body stronger than i could have ever imagined, my heart more open, and my breath much deeper. i met my wonderful husband and some amazing friends through yoga.

for the last 4.5 years, tranquil space has been my home. i consider the teachers and students my family. what a joy it has been to be a part of such an amazing place! i think back to when we had classes at the church on 16th street and how i signed people in, sold t-shirts, and taught the classes. how things have changed! many students have been in my classes since those early days and it has been such a treat to see their yoga practices evolve and to get to know people on and off the mat. at the end of this month my fabulous new husband and i will be moving to denver (funny how life takes you in circles!) to start a new life with mountain views. tranquil space has been such a huge part of my life that the idea of moving and starting fresh is a bit scary and exciting at the same time. change is constant — the only true certainty in our lives — and yoga teaches us to embrace that. i’m not thinking of our move as "leaving" our tranquil space community but rather expanding it!

i’m a true believer that each of us is on a divine path and that we need to be open to it and have faith for what the universe has in order. it’s only in the last few months that i’ve been able to answer my burning question, "why the hell am i here?" i had to come to dc to find my true occupation, to find tranquil space and my community, to find my true love and . . . to move on. i am so grateful to everyone i’ve met while in dc. i’ve learned so much from all of you. truly.

in the words of tom petty, "it’s time to move on, time to get goin’, what lies ahead i have no way of knowing . . ." i plan on continuing my teaching career in denver and i will be back soon to do teacher training and lead a few workshops, so i will not say goodbye, but rather namaste! i hope our paths continue to cross.

much love and appreciation,
lisa

clothing, accessories, and specialties to enrich your life on and off the mat

tranquiliT boutique is a fusion of fashion and passion in celebration of yogis' bodies and spirits! tranquiliT boutique carries a delightful range of comfy and chic lines that transition from the yoga mat to the market or museum. all pieces are hand picked by kimberly, made of luxurious fabrics that stretch with your body, and designed for nurturing your yoga lifestyle.

tranquil space's own line of yoga clothing and accessories, tranquiliT, is designed for the style-conscious yogini and has been featured in shape, lucky, fit yoga, the washingtonian and the washington post. read the latest mentions in the examiner and mycicy.com.

to receive seasonal updates on the tranquiliT line delivered straight to your in box, click here. read the latest edition of tranquiliT times.

tranquiliT boutique's featured item this month is the tranquiliT cross front tunic, which can be worn over yoga pants, jeans or alone as a dress.

bring the traveling tranquiliT boutique to you for a home shopping yoga party. we'll bring the tranquiliT collection, accessories, and additional chic and comfy lines from the tranquiliT boutique directly to you. we can couple it with a yoga practice for your fave girlfriends, include chair massage to help destress, or simply set up for retail therapy. for all the scoop, contact info@tranquiliTboutique.com.

in alignment with our values, a portion of the tranquiliT proceeds are donated to my sister's place — a local organization committed to eradicating domestic violence.

specials valid through december 31, 2005

tranquiliT treatments are a delightful way to nurture your body and complement your yoga practice on and off the yoga mat. at tranquil space we believe that yoga is a lifestyle, and are pleased to offer the following services as part of our specialty spa, to help nurture your lifestyle:

swedish massage
deep tissue massage
pregnancy massage
craniosacral therapy
alexander technique
reiki
thai yoga bodywork
ayurveda and thai yoga bodywork
tlc — transformational life counseling
raindrop therapy
aromatherapy foot baths with reflexology

most services are available at tranquil space, and others are available at a nearby oasis. for additional information, or to schedule an appointment, please visit the tranquiliT treatments page.

• as featured in the sunday source, celebrate yoga party style! a tranquil way to celebrate birthdays, bachelorette parties, kids' events or to simply introduce friends to yoga. visit our yoga parties page for details.
• tour tranquil space: dc's urban excursion for yoga and lifestyle. view our studio and stop in for a visit during our numerous open hours.
• nurture yourself with a tranquiliT treatment — massage and counseling.
• refer a friend who buys a pass and receive a free class!
• visit our new online community forums! here you'll find discussion forums where you can post community events, yoga-related services you have to offer (i.e., acupuncture, photography of yoga, etc.), items for sale, housing available, roommates wanted, and more! you can also log on to discuss yoga with fellow tranquil space yogis! this virtual board has been created to assist the tranquil space community to connect with one another. create your tranquil space forums user account today!

tranquil space yoga now in penn quarter on tuesdays at noon. your dupont class pass is transferrable. sign up for class online. click here for details!

• rent the studio for your own practice or event. 
• baby corner: be part of our prenatal and baby & me programs. to receive the special tranquil space newsletter catered to moms-to-be and new yogini moms, email anne@tranquilspace.com or carol@tranquilspace.com.
• view our darling yogi babies online! share your beloved babies with us. send photos and names to webmaster@tranquilspace.com.
• private sessions are available at the studio or your home.  
• create a tranquil space at your office! tranquil space offers classes at your office and office yoga workshops! to schedule yours, please contact gina@tranquilspace.com.
• please familiarize yourself with tranquil space's studio tips.
• sign up in advance for class, check your class pass status, and see who's teaching with webscheduler.
• please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your space.
• share your thoughts: a suggestion box in the swirlie hallway and a mailbox on the studio line (202.223.yoga) awaits any comments, praise, or requests our yogis may have. or fill out our online studio survey. view our comment corner to read our replies. thank you for sharing your practice with us!

retreats: • yoga & creativity retreat (saturday, january 21, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) • spring blossom retreat (friday, march 3, at 8:00 p.m. - sunday, march 5, at 2:00 p.m.) • yoga in paradise (thursday, march 23, at 6:00 p.m. - thursday, march 30, at 8:00 p.m.)

for beginners: • newbie yogi workshop (sunday, december 11, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.) • newbie yogi series (sundays, january 8 - 29, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.) • newbie yogi workshop (sunday, january 15, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.) • newbie yogi series (sundays, february 5 - 26, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.) • newbie yogi series (sundays, march 5 - 26, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.)

deepening your practice: • holiday hip hop yoga (friday, december 2, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.) • full moon yoga (friday, december 16, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.) • new year's reflective practice (sunday, january 1, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.) • jump into yoga 2 (sunday, january 29, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.) • float into yoga 3 (sunday, february 5, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.) • yoga means union: partner yoga (sunday, february 12, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.) • jump into yoga 2 (sunday, march 19, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

lifestyle / "off the mat": • mindful parenting (saturday, december 3, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.) • knitting workshop (friday, december 9, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.)

prenatal and baby & me programs: • mindful parenting (saturday, december 3, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.) • ongoing baby and me yoga classes • ongoing prenatal classes

teacher training: • teacher training q & a session (sunday, january 8, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.) • level 1 intensive (january 13 - 16) • level 2 certification (january 27 - april 22) • pre- and postnatal (saturday, november 4)

special studio celebrations / charity events: • tranquil space holiday celebration (sunday, december 18, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)

tranquil space bethesda: • rejuvenate with restorative yoga (saturday, december 3, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.) • newbie yogi workshop (saturday, december 10, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.) • celebrate our 1st year and the holidays! (sunday, december 11, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.) • happy and healthy hip flow with kimberly (saturday, december 17, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.) • yin/yang yoga (saturday, december 17, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.) • open your heart & let go of the past (saturday, january 21, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.)

tranquil space dupont 2024 p street, nw washington, d.c. 20036	tranquil space bethesda 7475 wisconsin ave, suite 8 bethesda, md 20814
tranquil space penn quarter first trinity lutheran church 4th & e streets, nw washington, dc 20001

© 2005 tranquil space, llc. all rights reserved.