celebrate yoga in costa rica
Allow lush Costa Rica to renew your spirit while escaping the chill of winter in DC! Join Kimberly for a yoga retreat nestled among the beauty of an exquisite mountain sanctuary. Each day we will share in the experience of yoga while resting our hearts & minds among the spectacular views. During your yoga breaks, take a stroll through coffee farms, nap in a hammock, swim, recieve a healing massage or simply enjoy being among the beauty of this amazing country.
The spacious grounds include a hot tub, swimming pool, & luxurious gardens. A divine way to nurture your spirit over President's Day weekend. Open to all levels. Airfare is not included. Your fee includes 7 nights accommodations, 3 gourmet meals per day, transportation to & from the airport &, 3 eco-adventure excursions including a full day of white water rafting!
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Date:
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Saturday, February 15 - Saturday, February 22, 2003
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Time:
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A full week of yoga & nature
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Location:
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Pura Vida Spa, Costa Rica
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Cost:
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Begins at $1095, $350 deposit reserves your space
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Questions?:
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Contact Jennifer at 888-515-4580
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To Register:
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Contact Jennifer at 888-515-4580
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newbie yogi
A workshop for introducing the basics of vinyasa yoga. Explore alignment and breathing along with basic poses and relaxation techniques. Geared for the brand new beginner or those with curiosity about yoga. Please bring your own mat if you have one, a water bottle, hand towel and any questions you have.
jump into yoga 2
A workshop designed for the current yoga 1 student interested in exploring the world of yoga 2. Learn the basics of yoga 2 in preparation for transitioning to this level and deepening your practice. Please bring your own mat if you have one, a water bottle, hand towel and any questions you have.
vinyasa flow and sound part 1, with simon park and thomas flanagan
standing poses and arm balances
Yoga is a sacred dance of complementary forces; breath/movement, strength/fluidity, earth and sky. Nada yoga is the yoga of sound..... union and harmony through attuning one's self with sound. This two part workshop will explore the power of beautiful music upon our yoga practice.
Part 1 of the workshop will focus on the creative sequencing of standing poses and arm balances. An eclectic Vinyasa practice blending Ashtanga flow/rhythm, Iyengar alignment principles, and Thai massage partnerwork, will be accompanied by Indian classical music, sitar, and world music.
A special section of the workshop will be devoted to Sound Vibrational Healing. In this session, healing sounds from the didgeridoo, sitar, bells, singing bowls, drums, and shells are played over the chakras to produce a meditative and ethereal effect.
The workshop(s) will be taught in the format of an extended vinyasa class, with Thai-massage partnerwork and beautiful live music. You are welcome to join one or both of these practices.
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Date:
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Sunday, March 9
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Time:
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2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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Location:
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Tranquil Space
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Cost:
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$55, $50 if pre-registered
or register for both this workshop
and the April 13 workshop
with Simon Park and
Thomas Flanagan for
only $85, $80 if pre-registered
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Questions?:
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Email: events@tranquilspace.com
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Cancellation Policy:
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enlightening events cancellation policy
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To Register by Mail:
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Registration Form
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Register Online for
Vinyasa Flow and Sound,
Part 1:
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OR Register Online for both
the Mar. 9 AND Apr. 13
Simon Park and Thomas Flanagan
workshops:
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(In the comment box on the final payment page,
please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.) |
kirtan with wynne paris
Join us for 2 hours of music and Kirtan chanting, offered in a call and response format in which the leader sings a phrase and the group sings it back over and over again. The energy and the pace of the chant builds according to the inspiration of the moment as the mind quiets and the heart begins to soar. Kirtan is the stillness of meditation, the lovingness of an open heart, a permeating breath of harmony, a form of devotional Indian chanting singing the Sanskrit names of Indian Deities. Harmonization through chanting, breathing and meditating together, this music will help to bring one to an inner experience of connection with God.
"Music alone can take you to the highest," Swami Vivekananda.
For the past 7 years world beat musician Wynne Paris has split his time between Northern California and Washington DC, learning the music of yoga, producing new age music and developing a musical style that he describes as "Raga Rock". As a Bhakti, or devotional singer, his influences range from Indian and Tibetan folk music, blues and jazz, and center on Kirtan; a devotional form of singing that he performs at yoga centers, raves, and festivals and gatherings. When performing he integrates ecstatic and holistic expressions of music and mixes tabla-based loops, Indian instruments, chanting, an innovative guitar style, and a few notes on the Sarod (an esoteric Indian instrument) to produce a spiritually funky and uplifting sound.
living your practice with darren main
It is one thing to speak of lofty spiritual principles and ancient philosophies. It is yet another to be able to incorporate those principles into one's daily life. It has been said that this is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Join Darren, author of Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic for a one-hour yoga practice and a talk on how to live your practice. In Darren's talks and lectures, common experience is used to explore the time-tested practice of yoga and to demonstrate how those ideas are relevant in today's modern world. Like his writing, Darren's style is light and fun, but always poignant. The talk is a great opportunity to learn more about eastern philosophy and gain a deeper understanding of how the practice of yoga can transform your entire life.
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Date:
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Friday, March 21
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Time:
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7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
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Location:
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Tranquil Space
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Cost:
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$40, $35 if pre-registered
or register for both this workshop
and the March 23 workshop
with Darren Main for only $75
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Questions?:
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Email: events@tranquilspace.com
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Cancellation Policy:
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enlightening events cancellation policy
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To Register by Mail:
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Registration Form
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Register Online for
Living Your Practice
with Darren Main:
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OR Register Online for
both the Mar. 21 AND Mar. 23
Darren Main workshops:
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(In the comment box on the final payment page,
please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.) |
developing a home practice with darren main
When we come to our first yoga class, everything is foreign and difficult. The experience is filled with strange poses, odd breathing and weird chanting. But after a few classes we start to settle in and it begins to feel more natural. In just a few months we can feel our bodies moving in a new way and old injuries beginning to disappear. Most importantly, the mind becomes more calm and life becomes more peaceful.
It is at this point that we are ready for the next step in the evolution of yoga - building a home practice. In this workshop we will explore the basic elements of a hatha yoga practice and learn how to sequence those elements in a way that will be most supportive. We will also look at techniques for developing a practice that is best suited for your individual needs. Participants will leave with a unique and personal outline for a home practice to help them get started.
You will learn about:
The Elements of a Practice
Sequenceing
Planning Skills
Tips for Regular Practice
Preventing Injury
Customizing a Practice for Unique Needs
Listening to Your Body
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Date:
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Sunday, March 23
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Time:
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2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Location:
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Tranquil Space
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Cost:
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$55, $50 if pre-registered
or register for both this workshop
and the March 21 workshop
with Darren Main for only $75
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Questions?:
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Email: events@tranquilspace.com
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Cancellation Policy:
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enlightening events cancellation policy
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To Register by Mail:
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Registration Form
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Register Online for
Developing a Home Practice
with Darren Main:
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OR Register Online for
both the Mar. 21 AND Mar. 23
Darren Main workshops:
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(In the comment box on the final payment page,
please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.) |
asana of the month
eka pada sirasana/one foot to head pose
This challenging pose is taken in many stages and provides a full opening for the hips, lumbar and thoracic regions.
yogi of the month
yamilee bastien
When I first started yoga in May 2001, I had no idea about the spiritual benefits of a yoga practice. After my first class at Tranquil Space, though, I realized that there was much more to it than the physical movements and the relaxation. I had danced for years when I was growing up, so I was drawn to the fluid choreography of vinyasa yoga. I also loved its versatility, which has helped me to appreciate that there is a need and a time for both intense exertion and restorative serenity.
I feel really fortunate to have gone on last year's Tranquil Space trip to Pura Vida in Costa Rica. I learned a lot there about how to bring the sense of clarity and non-attachment that I found on the mat into my daily life. I see now that the external form of the asanas comes with time, but the good internal form (focus, intention and surrendering to the present moment) makes it easier and should be my first priority. So now, especially with the asanas that seem difficult at first, I look for the point where I stop resisting — where I actually relax into it and stop judging the pose or my ability to perform it. That's one of many lessons I've been able to take "off the mat" and apply to my personal life.
I've also learned that when I take risks on the mat and practice an asana that I never thought I could do, I begin to embrace change and challenges in other areas of my life. It's so invigorating and empowering to balance in Crow and do a beautiful Chaturanga! My work will likely take me back to West Africa later this year, and that willingness to surpass what I thought were "set-in-stone" limitations will serve me well when I embark on this new adventure.
Tranquil Space has been an oasis of calm, play and creativity during my time in Washington. There's lots to love at Tranquil Space: setting our intentions before each practice, the energetic teachers, the inspiring workshops and retreats, the soothing music and aromatherapy (and, of course, tea and cookies!). But what really makes the studio special is that Kimberly has worked hard to foster a lively and supportive community of yogis where there's always an opportunity to learn more and where we encourage each other's growth and creativity, both on and off the mat.
Nearly two years later, I'm still inspired by one of the readings from my first days at Tranquil Space: "Being a yogi doesn't mean you have to renounce the world. The Buddha taught we shouldn't shun the world any more than we should cling to it. Instead, we should greet each moment with an awake and compassionate heart... When we flow through our yoga poses, when we sit in meditation and watch the mystery of breath coming in and out, we are celebrating the embodied Divine. This human body, this human life, is where we know love... where we touch the Infinite." Namaste.
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tranquilTeam player of the month
laura kiken
"More yoga."
I respond to challenges and problems with that enthusiastic answer so often that it's become a bit of a joke for my friends. No matter what their or my concern is — "I'm stressed out," "I don't have enough time for myself," "I don't have enough time for my friends," "I'm tired," "I'm wired," or even "Do these pants make me look fat?" — the answer is always "more yoga." I think this answer is the best way to help people discover their own inner wisdom. And, if nothing else, those pants will fit better.
I've developed this perspective since I first came to Tranquil Space about a year ago. Before then, I practiced on and off for a couple years, but I didn't realize the potential of yoga until Tranquil Space. Some people say that yoga has completely changed one area of their lives, such as eliminating a chronic pain or illness. For me, my whole quality of life has improved. My body feels healthier, stronger and more alive, I'm facing fears and obstacles which have held me back in life, and I feel more connected to the peaceful spirit in all of life and beyond.
I can't say that there's one particular person or thing about the studio that's made the difference, because I'm grateful for every detail: the beauty of the vinyasa style, the positive nature and encouragement exuded by the teachers, the insightful readings, the soul-stirring music, the aptly named enlightening events, and so forth. All of these aspects come together to create what is literally a tranquil space, externally and internally. In that space, for me, answers to all those life challenges become more apparent and yet, ironically, not as urgent or important as simply returning to the solace and peace found within.
Being a studio assistant at Tranquil Space has really contributed to developing this awareness. Spending more time with teachers and students, observing classes, staying abreast of studio happenings, and simply being present at the studio more often have helped me to appreciate the whole package. I realize that everyone who walks out of the studio doors has just received a wonderful gift. I'm grateful to Kimberly and everyone at Tranquil Space for this.
Now, going through teacher training, I hope that I, too, can help share this gift with others.
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tranquiliT boutique
yoga clothing and accessories
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Shop the tranquiliT boutique to view a line of yoga clothing and accessories designed to celebrate the bodies of active and stylish yogis. You can purchase tranquiliT tees, pants, and yoga accessories online at the tranquiliT boutique!
This month's featured item is the tranquiliT pant with trim. A fun, festive addition to the tranquiliT line.
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As a continuing benefit of our Charity Community (link to charity community), a portion of the tranquiliT proceeds are donated to My Sister's Place - an organization committed to eradicating domestic violence.
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reflective closing thoughts
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"
To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance."
~ Oscar Wilde
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February is a month filled with lots of focus on love, hearts and relationships. For this month's closing, I wanted to share a poem by Rumi on the importance of every person who walks into our lives. A gentle reminder that we all have a gift to share and that those who cross our paths are put there for a reason.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
~ Rumi
May February fill you with a sense of self-compassion, gratitude and love for the gifts that life brings every day in the way of lessons and people. Happy Valentine's Day.
 | Much love and gratitude,
Kimberly Wilson
Creative Director |
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May our bodies and minds be healthy. May our thoughts be filled with love. May our practice be free of obstacles. May we carry its benefits into the world.
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