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february's e-muse contains:
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“to love yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” ~ oscar wilde
welcome to a month focused on love, filled with tasty carnation hearts, chilly weather, and whispers of adoration--all topped off with loads of pink and red. i like to think of an underlying theme for february as self-love. even if you don't have a valentine, love can still be your focus this month by allowing the focus to turn inward. as a favorite julia cameron quote suggests, "there is a direct connection between self-nurturing and self-respect." ensure you're loving yourself fully this month by engaging in oodles of self-care.
as a girl who is constantly on the go, i find that taking the time to practice self-care can have profound results, especially during a dreary month like february. a few simple, yet sanity-saving tools are journal writing, getting a massage, practicing yoga, sitting still (aka meditating), having a good heart-to-heart with a trusted girlfriend, taking hot baths, steeping green tea, and doing things differently. what works for you? do you find yourself saying, "oh, if only i had time for that!" how can you carve out more time for these things? yes, of course we all know that this is important, but how can we translate this knowing into doing? THAT is the important question!
reflect on the eight main areas of your life: work, health, romance, social life, home, finances, spirituality, creativity. rate them 1-10 (1 being low, 10 being high). ultimately, we're looking for balance among our various pieces. if your social life is thriving but your finances and work is flailing, it's time to regroup. if you're filled with spiritual bliss but your home and romance is a mess, things are out of balance.
yoga means union and we're seeking union within our mind, body, and spirit. i know that sounds all well and good, but you're probably wondering how to actually translate this into action. use your practice of yoga to reflect. set intentions for the eight areas of your life mentioned above. take small action steps to improve your level of happiness in each area.
creating balance within your life is the ultimate way to live your yoga practice. asana is only one of the eight limbs of yoga. the others involve meditation, living the moral codes such as non-violence and truth, and breathing consciously.
reflect on the ways that your yoga can become a practice in self-care this month. when you're on the mat, engage in compassionate self-talk. when you're in a difficult situation, focus on the healing three-part yogic breath. when you're feeling congested or a bit down, break out your back bends. may february reconnect you to a sense of wholeness and self-love coupled with lifelong romance.
 lovingly yours,
kimberly wilson
peruse kimberly's blog and podcast for musings on yoga and lifestyle.
join kimberly for more hip hop yoga fun on friday, february 17.
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| - winter schedule: please note our schedule is adjusted quarterly to satisfy our yogis' needs. we continue to offer an assortment of classes to accommodate various levels and moods: yin/yang, restorative, yoga 1-3, slow flow, and more! please pick up a schedule or visit the website for all the scoop.
- click here for a description of how to sign up for classes early, buy more classes online, checking your pass status, and more!
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| - oodles of tranquility special. $99 one-month unlimited class pass. take all the yoga you can handle during the chilly month of february. open your heart all month long.
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| - yogi appreciation week february 7-14 — save 10% off all items in the tranquiliT boutique feb. 7-14 (in studio only).
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- we have loads of inspiring lifestyle and yoga workshops scheduled in the new year. partner yoga, couple massage, hip hop yoga, and more! lisa farmer-richards returns at the end of the month for two special workshops. doug swenson also returns in may for teacher training 3/fluid vinyasa intensive. visit enlightening events for ALL the scoop.
- do you work at one of the government/court buildings in penn quarter? do you live in penn quarter? help us spread the word about tranquil space's penn quarter lunchtime oasis in exchange for free yoga! email gina@tranquilspace.com.
- interested in free yoga? visit studio opportunities for openings.
- we're expanding our specialty spa offerings to include more on-site tranquliTreatments, including pregnancy massage, deep tissue massage, and more! stay tuned for information on an upcoming girls' night in spa kick-off, and visit the treatments page for more information and to treat yourself to a treatment!
- contribute to tranquility — start your yoga practice as soon as you walk through the front door. read our student tips to assist you with your yoga practice on and off the mat!
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| - for every pass purchased in the month of february, tranquil space will plant a tree! we LOVE helping our yogis breathe better.
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| - congrats to teacher training level 1 graduates: margie, morgane, tess, diane, devin, melissa, jen, melanie, jodi, ana, patricia, elizabeth, liane, susan, stephen, david, jenni, shruti, jennifer, angelyn, sarah, donna, gina, dawn, rachael, and charles!
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 kevin waldorf-cruz
warrior spirit: love, joy, compassion and grace
outside of yoga i'm a social worker who works as an advocate/therapist for individuals living with hiv. every day i hear stories of pain, suffering, death, depression, anxiety, violence (this list could on for days, years, eternities). i witness stories of physical and emotional pain so profound that the words joy and love cannot be uttered in the same sentence.
what i've found is that behind every traumatic experience or destructive behavior exists an individual capable of love for self and others. the potential for joy may be veiled by pain, anger, shame, depression, confusion, or other blocks, yet it's still there. this may be a tiny ember, which has been stomped out by experience, or cognitive interpretations of experience, but it burns in all of us. that small tiny flame can be fanned into an entire experience of actualization and connection.
we all have a choice when experiencing life's challenges: to fall apart and give up, or to allow challenge to teach us. we all have the capacity to grow stronger and more compassionate from the adversity we encounter. usually growth does not happen in one fell swoop. the process will take some time and definitely practice involving the following: falling down, getting back up, being pushed down again, doing some wallowing in the mud (ouch, that hurts), and then maybe, maybe you allow yourself to move on. it's all part of the journey. whew, but it's a journey! yet none of us are alone in the journey.
thank you to all the amazing people who supported my own crazy journey. you have allowed me to become grounded, while still maintaining my own vividness and uniqueness! thank you to kimberly and the gang of tranquil space yoginis/yogis who've supported me with dedication, wisdom, and spunkiness. thank you to cyndi lee and my emergent community of yogini/yogis at om in nyc, you've inspired confidence and exploration in my teaching. thank you to my students who've shown me the potential for strength, growth, and community. thank you to mama & dr. 'dorf; you've allowed me to fall safely and then get back up in my own curious way (see photo above). thank you to my abuelita in puerto rico, who in the true warrior spirit taught me how to use a machete on coconuts (argh-coco!). thank you to all the phenomenal women of my life, who've looked out for me (every time i forgot to look both ways when crossing the street — you know who you are). thank you to the social workers and compassionate caregivers who've taught me to acknowledge awkwardness and the textural experiences of life. and thank you to my urban tribe of idiosyncratic/chaotic brothers who've unveiled your souls and in so doing allowed me to "get real" while finding peace in my own chaos.
approach your path and practice with a warrior's spirit. find an unarmored open heart and arm yourself with curiosity and compassion. allow this to awaken your potential for love, joy, compassion, and grace as you walk your unique path. your potential will open up, but only if you let it.
namaste (the light inside of me honors the light inside of you),
kevin
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.
 dancer
benefits
- stretches the shoulders and chest
- stretches the thighs, groins, and abdomen
- strengthens the legs and ankles
- improves balance
- opens the heart
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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.
 morgane danielou-doumbouya
i first approached yoga as a complement to my intense martial arts training in capoeira. a colleague of mine took me to tranquil space's monday class at noon. once a week, i was learning about proper alignment and soothing my sore muscles. after years of injury and painful workout, it was wonderful to feel connected but in a gentle way to my body. gradually, i was hooked: from yoga 1 to yoga 2, from 1 class to 3 classes a week, with all tranquil space teachers introducing a new dimension and new benefits to practicing yoga.
this feeling of well-being culminated when i got pregnant and found great relief in yoga from the little discomforts of pregnancy. yoga is now fully part of my preparation to giving birth, it is also a great incentive for going to work, knowing that i will have my noon yoga break! at tranquil space, i have been inspired by teachers who have showed me what yoga could bring me and how i could also give back some of what i gained. the studio has definitely been the main reason for deciding to become a yoga teacher. i am now proudly part of the 2006 teacher training program and will hopefully soon become a prenatal yoga teacher.
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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.
 maureen cruz
when i first came to tranquil space in 2001, the studio was based out of the church parlor on 16th st. at the time, i had just moved to dc to start graduate school. being at a new school in a new city, i decided to try a new way to keep fit. having never taken a yoga class before, i wasn't sure if yoga was for me. i wasn't into meditation or chanting, and i knew that my body was in no shape to be twisted and folded into the poses that i had seen before. i asked the person next to me if she liked this class (it was kimberly's yoga 1), and she replied, "oh, you'll love it. you get hooked." during my first class, sweat poured down my face, my muscles were reluctant to cooperate, and i felt awkward. you want me to do what with my leg?! i noticed that the yogini i chatted with earlier gracefully and seemingly effortlessly moved into every pose — i felt quite inept (i giggled when i later found out that she was one of the studio's most fabulous teachers, lisa farmer!). yet, in that first class i learned how to breathe. for the first time, i found that my body could come to stillness and balance, just with a breath. from the breath, i began to see progress. with each week, i could see development in my practice. one week i was able to touch my toes in forward fold. later i could reach my ankle in triangle pose. at some point, my heels touched the floor when i was in down dog. who knew? lisa was right. i was hooked.
as the studio cultivated my personal progress, i have been fortunate to witness its progress also. having grown out of that church parlor, tranquil space creates an experience for its yogis. from the soothing environment of the studio, to the assists on the mat, to the treats after class, to the luxurious products we take with us outside the studio and into our daily lives, tranquil space works to create a complete experience to deepen our practice. with my practice, my body has gotten stronger; i didn't know what my body was capable of until i came to tranquil space. the stillness and calmness of the breath still helps me focus and balances out the frenetic pace of graduate school.
having the opportunity to work at tranquil space has been rewarding also. standing on the other side of the studio counter has helped me tap into part of my personality that doesn't get exercised regularly. free from the analytical environment of the lab, i can pursue creative projects with the boutique and studio, all with the signature ts style. maybe that side of me would have remained dormant all this time. being part of the tranquiliTeam allows me to share my experience with other washingtonians and make new friends along the way. better yet, i have the opportunity to introduce newbie yogis to their first calming breaths. from there, i know that progress is sure to follow.
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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 selection 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 our latest write-up on stylish workout wear.
tranquiliT boutique's featured items this month are tops from the tranquiliT collection made in our new lush bamboo fabric. eco-friendly, so very soft, and wicks moisutre. during the month of february, the black tranquiliT tops made of bamboo are 15% off (in studio only). no other discounts apply.
specials valid through march 31, 2006
bring the tranquiliT trunk show to you. couple it with a yoga practice for your fave girlfriends, add chair massage to help destress, or simply set up for retail therapy. for all the scoop, contact info@tranquiliTboutique.com.
to receive seasonal updates and discounts on the tranquiliT line, along with musings on yoga for the modern girl, click here. read the latest edition of tranquiliT times.
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.
 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:
 pregnancy massage
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.
| - join tranquil space in penn quarter on tuesdays at noon. your dupont class pass is transferrable. sign up for class online. click here for details!
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- 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. share your beloved babies with us. send photos and names to webmaster@tranquilspace.com. view our latest additions!
- 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 student 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 our comment corner to read our replies. thank you for sharing your practice with us!
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deepening your practice:
• yoga means union: partner yoga (sunday, february 12, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• hip hop yoga (friday, february 17, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
• unchain your warrior spirit! (sunday, february 19, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)
• taking your practice to new heights! (sunday, february 26, 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.)
• restorative yoga (sunday, february 26, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• core strength: tap into your power (sunday, march 19, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)
• seasonal reflections with yin yoga (sunday, march 26, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• float into yoga 3 (sunday, april 30, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)
• teacher training 3: fluid power intensive with doug swenson (may 19-21)
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special studio celebrations / charity events:
• doga in the park (saturday, may 13, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.)
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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
2024 p street, nw
washington, dc 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 |
© 2006 tranquil space, llc. all rights reserved.
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