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"holiday gift suggestions: to your enemy,
forgiveness. to an opponent, tolerance. to a friend,
your heart. to a customer, service. to all, charity.
to every child, a good example. to yourself,
respect." —oren arnold |
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the holidays are in full bloom: festive
tunes play everywhere, lights 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. just as we
start our yoga practice with an intention, start your
holidays with one: think of a person or cause to send
love to, ponder a quality you wish to cultivate, or an
action you wish to take. rather than approaching the
season with an exhausted list of to-dos, let this year
be different. light a peppermint-scented candle, draw a
bath full of epsom salts, and play some of your fave
holiday tunes. take some time before the rush overcomes
you to reflect on the year and honor this season of
giving through these five holiday tips for tranquility:
1. write down your milestones from 2008 (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 2009 (ex. query letter sent to publishers,
relocate, paid off retail therapy debt, new job in
non-profit, cut out fast food). taking the time to
reflect on where you are and how far you’ve come can
have profound effects. we are growing each and every
day.
2. give mindfully. has your best friend been
dying to see a new exhibit at your local art gallery?
give her a coupon for a complimentary afternoon on the
date of her choice to peruse the exhibit, dine in a
nearby café, and catch up with you. experiences last so
much longer than yet another striped scarf and glove
set. if you must give a gift, consider making one.
pottery. knit. bead a necklace and earring set. cook up
some bath salts. bake a pie. make a centerpiece. cut up
a sweater into arm and legwarmers. pour homemade
candles. paint a t-shirt with stencils and fabric paint.
crochet a blanket. decoupage a flower pot. a journal
with your favorite quotes. a jar filled with dry
ingredients for your much-loved cocoa or cookie recipe.
3. give 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 friends over to sing carols,
roast marshmallows, or watch an inspiring holiday flick.
practice restorative yoga to replenish
during the harried holidays. oh, and 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.
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! bake cookies for the office. smile at a
passenger on the metro.
5. go green. buy locally made goods. consolidate
shopping trips. 2.65 billion holiday cards are sold in
the us each year – choose recycled paper or make your
own. get off catalog lists. choose led lights. decorate
with soy or beeswax candles. use mish-matched plates and
glasses over disposable ones. plant a tree for each gift
you ship to offset your carbon footprint. use cloth
napkins. make your tree decorations with popcorn,
gingerbread, and candy cane. dine on organic, local
food. give fair trade, sustainable gifts. choose
recycled wrapping paper or use reusable bags.
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). i look forward to mingling off the
mat with you at
our annual holiday and trunk show soiree
featuring local artisans this saturday, december 6. best
wishes for a happy and healthy close to 2008. thank you
for joining tranquil space on your journey this year.
may the close of this year bring you lots of
tranquility.
tranquilly yours,
kimberly wilson, creative director + founder
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updates from jo ann kester, studio manager.
 as we make
our way through the dim days in december tranquil space has some great
opportunities for your winter solstice countdown. express your creative
self with
art + yoga + love = life, rest and renew with
yin + yoga nidra, or try out one of the other offerings (see below
for all the scoop of workshops this month). tranquil space will be
creating some holiday cheer at our holiday party this saturday, please
stop by between 7 and 9pm. festivities will include some great local
artists transforming the earth studio into our 5th annual trunk show and
it will be a great way to mingle with yogis, teachers, and the whole
tranquil space team off the mat. don't forget to check out our holiday
schedule online for class reductions around christmas and the new year.
if you have studio ideas drop me a line -
jo@tranquilspace.com.
-
infant massage with barbara jazzo.
tue 12/2 and tue 12/9 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am.
newbie yogi workshop with anne thiel.
fri 12/5 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
in arlington: newbie
yogi workshop with carol collins.
sat 12/6 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
art + yoga + love = life with kevin waldorf-cruz.
sun 12/7 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
cubicle yoga with lori nussbaum.
sat 12/13 from 3:00 – 4:30pm.
yin + yoga nidra: observing in stillness with danielle polen.
sun 12/21 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
letting go of the past, welcoming the future with chuck
zebrowski.
wed 12/31 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
be the change: a contemplative new year's eve practice with
danielle polen.
wed 12/31 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
new year's reflective practice with kimberly wilson.
thur 1/1 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
in arlington: new
year, new you with kimberly
wilson.
sat 1/3 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
- new series for kids
of all ages starts in january!
yoga 4 tots (crawlers to 24 months) – sundays at 11 starting january
11th
yoga 4 tykes (21 months to 4 years) – sundays at noon starting january
11th
we will also be adding classes for kids 4 – 9 years old. email
carol for more info.
- have an idea that
you'd love to see happen at tranquil space? visit
mytranquilspaceidea.com
and share your suggestion!
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give the gift of tranquil space. tranquil space has
gift cards available for yoga, shopping, massage, or other
tranquil treat. buy
a gift card online or stop by the studio to pick one
up.
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mark your calendars for tranquil space's celebration of
martin luther king and inauguration day on january 19
and 20. details to come!
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deepen your practice with teacher training level 1,
200-hour, and 500-hour in january. take your practice and
passion for yoga to the next level with dc's first yoga
alliance-approved
teacher training!
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tranquil space trunk show and holiday party:
mingle with yogis off the mat and spread some holiday cheer.
support local, women artists who will be selling their
creative works. if you are an artist interested in
participating email
marq@tranquilspace.com.
events at the TranquiliT showroom:
holiday knitting project: beanie hat, december 6 from
9:30am-12:30pm
crochet jewelry, december 8 from 6:00–8:00pm
revamp your old jewelry (earrings), december 10 from
7:00-9:00pm
sign up at
www.tranquilit.com
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- sign
up for 6 month membership for $699. the pass will
activate on the date of first use and be good for 6 months.
get unlimited yoga classes in all three locations and free
mat storage, 15% boutique discounts, and other monthly
specials. no other discounts apply. not refundable or
transferable. available for sale 12/1 - 12/31 only.
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deep relaxation, quiet breath,
renewed spirit: weekend
immersion with kristin leal and danielle polen
(january
2-4)
explore the subtle lunar aspects
of vinyasa.
discover the healing subtleties of chandra vinyasa
including: pranayama, meditation, restorative yoga, yin/yang
yoga, yoga therapeutics, the anatomy of breath, channels of
energy-prana, and healing practices for injury and disease.
all yogis are welcome to enroll.
$350 for 3-day weekend intensive or enroll for the entire
training. receive 15% off spa and boutique products when you
enroll in the entire weekend!
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greening efforts:
tranquil space is constantly looking for new ways to protect the
environment and be a more sustainable business. give us your ideas on
our tranquil space
facebook
group.
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tranquil space book group.
drink tea, meet fellow yogis, and discuss the
book of the month - enlightenment for idiots
by anne cushman. free event. friday, december
5th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. join the book group on
facebook.
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our way to celebrate tranquil space yogis'
honors and developments! please share your celebrations and photos of you
wearing TranquiliTee
around the globe with us by
emailing newsletter@tranquilspace.com.
 jodi
darlage
"everything that can be invented has been invented."
the first time i read this quote by the former u.s. commissioner of patents
charles h. duell i thought...how can someone have such a narrow view on life to
imagine that the world as we know and see it today will not change? has this
individual been living under a rock the past several years? what happened to
evolution & innovation? what about cures for some of our worst terminal disease?
or a gadget that could just evaporate all loose dog hair out of my house
permanently? why was my heart starting to race and my teeth starting to clench?
and then i asked myself, why am i judging this man solely for his simple quote?
and like a seed this quote planted a samskara directly into my soul. darren main
labels our samskaras "as judgments or psychological attachments developed by the
ego. all day long we live in duality. we label and compartmentalize everything
we see." what an exhausting life we live. not surprisingly, all of this
distracting & judgmental chatter in my mind clouded my visual astuteness. the
quote was written in 1899.
we've come a long way yogis. but have we? and at what cost? over a century
later, we have certainly evolved in our lifestyles and in our pace of work and
life. technology allows us to connect to friends, co-workers and family in ways
charles duell likely never imagined. now, i am not sure if mr. duell was a yogi
or not, but if so he also would have likely been blown away by the evolution &
innovation of this ancient practice. new styles and asanas are created both in
the classroom and in home practices.
i am drawn to the study of vinyasa flow for the creative movement, variety and
expression. each practice provides a clean slate to allow one's self to dive
into and explore the body as it presents that day- physically, emotionally and
spiritually. however, what happens when you are in a great flow and then a
teacher introduces a pose that causes those samskaras to boil? for me
bhujapidasana triggers an unparallel flight & fight response. for the past
several years i have been on a judgmental witch-hunt of sorts for the individual
who invented this asana. how did i initially approach this pose? i avoided it. i
would blame the teacher for asking us to do the pose, blame my genes and what i
thought was my short arms for the inability to master the pose. i would blame my
pug for the hair on my yoga pants that caused me to sneeze while in the pose,
thus distracting me while approaching the pose. and the list goes on. santa
would not have been proud of this mental list in my mind.
however, when we become a witness to our poses & our personal challenges, we are
able to approach a pose with a new observational eye & non-judgment.
bhujapidasana is still a pose that i struggle with on the mat, but i have
learned to approach the pose with a little more compassion & less blame. instead
i have become a witness. i welcome all bhuji lovers into my classes. and feel
free to keep me in check by requesting this beautiful asana the next time we see
each other on the mat.
peace & joy to you and your family this holiday season,
- jodi
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.
butterfly pose is a posture in the yin yoga tradition. while outwardly, the pose
bears some similarity to baddha konasana (or cobbler's pose), as we discussed
last month—the intention behind the yin postures is distinctly different.
yin yoga utilizes long-held, passive floor postures to decongest connective
tissue and fascia around the hips, pelvis, lower back and knees. these yin
postures, such as butterfly pose, help the body remain supple at its core while
encouraging stagnant ch'i (prana) to flow through the body's "energetic
highways," or meridians, thus enhancing the health of the joints and organs.
baddha konasana, by contrast, is typically approached in a more "yang-like," or
active fashion, and has as its primary target the muscle tissue, as opposed to
the deeper connective tissue of the body.
butterfly pose
benefits:
- gently stretches for back, spine, groins, and hips
- serves as a good introductory pose to a yin practice, in that it impacts all
six of the major meridians of the lower body while simultaneously helping us
cultivate the discipline to quiet both body and mind
- according to bks iyengar, this is a good pose for the kidneys and the
prostrate gland and he recommends it for people suffering from urinary problems
- mr. iyengar also claims that the pose removes "heaviness in the testicles and
is a boon to women ... to regulate periods, [allow] ovaries to function
properly, and make delivery easier…."
[speaking of mr. iyengar, let's all remember to send a shout-out to him on
december 14, as he celebrates his 90th birthday! clearly, yoga works for him…!]
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cautions/contraindications:
may aggravate sciatica in some individuals—try elevating the hips so that they
are higher than the knees and ensure that the pelvis is not in a posterior tilt
may be uncomfortable for the ankles. if this is the case, practitioners may wish
to place a thin layer of cushion under same.
joints affected:
hips and lower spine
meridians affected:
gall bladder & urinary bladder and, to a slightly lesser extent, kidney,
liver, spleen (the latter which also has an impact on the stomach meridian).
suggested hold time:
may be held for three to five minutes, or much longer, if desired.
song that most comes to mind while in the posture:
ok, not the most original choice, but an amazing aria nonetheless: "un bel
di vedremo," from puccini's madama butterfly (libretto by luigi illica &
giuseppe giacosa)
cult movie that i most want to view after holding the posture:
"the collector" (1965), with terence stamp and samantha eggar. you'll never
again look at lepidopterists in quite the same way after viewing this film…!
- danielle polen |
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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.
 jane
flax
somehow it seems appropriate that i was
selected for december's yogi of the month, since i will be celebrating my 60th
(!) birthday this month. where did the time go? although i am often at least 20
years older than any other yogi in the room, i always feel comfortable and
welcome at tranquil space. i first began to explore yoga about ten years ago. as
a former ballet dancer, i found it hard to find another discipline that required
the kind of focus and concentration that so appealed to me in ballet. i thought
yoga might offer that, but then i began my long and often frustrating search for
a compatible yoga style and studio. after lots of misses, i wandered into
tranquil space when it moved to p street and found my studio. for me tranquil
space offers a wonderful balance of mindfulness, meditation, and well
constructed movement sequences. i particularly appreciate the excellence of the
teaching and the calm the studio both practices and encourages. since almost all
my work--teaching and psychotherapy-- requires taking care of other people, i am
particularly appreciative of the nurturing attention my teachers practice. those
neck rubs or well-timed assists really make a difference. namaste!!
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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.
 todd
dubenezic
it's the eve before thanksgiving as i write
this. as i reflect on my life i find i have so many things to be thankful for.
if there is one quality that i wish i could bestow upon everyone this holiday
season it's the feeling of gratitude. i find that when i'm grateful that i'm
transformed from the inside out. i find a softness in my heart. the more i'm
grateful the more i'm aligning with my spirit. this thanksgiving i'm staying in
the city for the 2nd year in a row. i treasure this holiday season as an
opportunity to spend time with loved ones and friends. it's also an opportunity
for me to go within and find an even greater connection with my spirit and the
world around me. my yoga and meditation practices are two of the greatest gifts
in my life.
words can't do justice in describing how important tranquil space has been to me
over the last 6 years. i've transformed in ways i never would have imagined.
i've been blessed to be part of the tranquil space community. tranquil space is
a studio filled with passion for yoga and compassion for others. each and every
teacher at tranquil space has had a positive impact on my life and i'm a better
person because of it. no matter how much stress i bring in from the outside i
know i can always let it go at tranquil space. someone always seems to be
smiling or laughing when i walk in the door. i know at tranquil space that i'm
in a safe place to grow on the yoga mat and off.
being a yoga teacher is one of the most important parts of my life. it's my
chance to pass on the wisdom of yoga which has been passed down for generations.
my goal for each of my classes is that my students leave class feeling better
they did before and that they continue to grow on and off the mat. the students
in my classes are an amazing group of people. it's an honor to be a yoga teacher
at tranquil space.
this holiday i want to thank all of my teachers as well as all the tranquil
space students and team members for their friendship and for everything they do
to support the studio. finally, a big thanks to kimberly wilson for creating
tranquil space and for being such a great inspiration, mentor, and friend.
happy holidays,
todd dubenezic |
 clothing, accessories, and
specialties
to enrich your life on and off the mat
the boutique at tranquil space carries a
delightful selection of comfy and chic products to enhance your practice on and off the
yoga mat - mala beads, books, aromatherapy spray, soy candles, eco-friendly
mats, handmade mat bags, and more! tranquil space's own line of yoga clothing,
TranquiliT, is designed for the lifestyle yogini and has been featured in
shape, lucky, daily candy, fit yoga, washingtonian, and washington post.
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greetings
from tranquility boutique manager marq few
 it's
beginning to look a lot like… the holidays. wow!
it's that time of the year and we are all ready
here in the boutique. to help you find what you
need for this gift-giving season, we have come
up with the tranquil space gift guide. the guide
will help you find the perfect gift for the
people in your life, no matter the budget, yogi,
baby or mom. look for the printed copy in the
studio and an
online version filled with pictures and
even more items.
a few items have made their way into the
boutique just in time for the holidays. give the
wonderful book, devotions and inspire with daily
wisdom coupled with breathtaking photography of
images from morocco, algeria, egypt, jordan,
israel, lebanon, syria, iran, afghanistan, and
many other places.
check out the handmade peruvian mat bags. these
bags come in vivid blues, deep reds and the
colors of the earth catch your eye. each bag is
hand made by peruvian women and the sale of the
bag help support the community of cajamarca.
enjoy this time of the year, no matter what
holiday you celebrate and we hope to see you in
the new year.
as always, please send feed back to me at
marq@tranquilspace.com.
marq
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to receive seasonal updates and discounts on the TranquiliT line click
here and use our
newsletter signup box.
in alignment with our values, a portion of all tranquility boutique proceeds are donated to my sister's place — a local organization committed to eradicating domestic violence.
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the spa at tranquil space invites you to enjoy 15% off an
individual astrology reading throughout the month of december!
what do the stars have in store for you? come on by and visit Carmen, our
resident astrologer, and discuss your personality traits, strengths, challenges,
and life purpose in relation to your birth chart. discuss the upcoming cycles
that lay ahead for you in the coming year, and how you can use them...a
wonderful companion to the mind and spirit as we transition into winter!
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how tranquility treatments can benefit you:
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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.
giving back - an early
spring cleaning!
do you have a
huge collection of bath gel, shampoo, soaps from travel?
why not clean out the bathroom, and give to a community
in need at the same time?! tranquil space will be
hosting a toiletry drive right in the studio - look for
a bin on the main level and simply drop off your goods
(please no used items). we'll be donating these items to
dc central kitchen and n street village at the end of
the month. we'll be launching right after the holiday
trunk show, sunday december 7th. please spread the word,
and we hope you can give back this holiday season!
live tabla- charity classes
coming in 2009! vishal kanwar (tabla) and niyati
shah will be hosting classes featuring live tabla,
proceeds will benefit various charities to be
announced.
 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.
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 the
mission of tranquil space is to provide a nurturing environment that
encourages the unfolding of a creative yoga practice that is carried off the
yoga mat into one's daily life.
 the
vision of tranquil space is to use yoga as a catalyst to live life fully and
consciously.
tranquil space dupont
1632 17th street, nw
washington, dc 20009 |
tranquil space bethesda
77475 wisconsin ave, suite 8
bethesda, md 20814 |
tranquil space arlington
3260 wilson boulevard, 2nd fl
arlington, virginia 22201 |
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