“to laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest criticism and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty and find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived — that is to have succeeded.” a friend recently reminded me of a great book that i'd read years ago: the four agreements, by don miguel ruiz. it is a practical guide to personal freedom and corresponds beautifully with the yogic path. i'd like to share these four agreements, how they relate to your yoga practice, and encourage the power of incorporating these into your life. the first agreement is "be impeccable with your word," and the concept is similar to yoga's satya (truth) principle, which is one of the yamas. the author encourages us to begin by speaking gently to ourselves, and to observe how we communicate with others. he says, "speak with integrity. say only what you mean. avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love." as yoga practitioners we are human and we are yogis, so mistakes will be made. however, practicing yoga with integrity means that we speak and live with integrity. begin to practice being an observer of what you say and how you say it. in our high-tech world, this now goes beyond verbal communication but also e-mail and other forms of written communication. the second agreement is "don't take anything personally." the author claims that "nothing others do is because of you. what others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. when you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering." this is the one agreement that i both love and hate. i absolutely believe that other people's reactions are often out of our control and come from their own struggles. however, i also believe if you continue to have the same issues with people, this becomes worthy of self-study, svadhyaya. as so eloquently put in jon kabat-zinn's book wherever you go, there you are, you are the only constant factor in your numerous interactions. if you continue to run from situations, people, or experiences, expecting things to be different, you may spend your whole life running. this is where the yoga niyama svadhyaya comes in — a little bit of self-reflection can go a long way to stop these patterns. the author does a wonderful job here reminding readers that people operate based on their own experiences and it is best not to internalize that. i like to go one step further, to encourage a little bit of personal responsibility through awareness of patterns through self-study. the third agreement is "don't make false assumptions." i liken this agreement to pratyahara, the fifth step on the eight-limbed yogic path. pratyahara is the conscious withdrawal of the senses — choosing to consciously react or not react to stimuli. we all have those moments of gut reaction when we say or do something in the moment that we regret almost immediately. the author encourages clear and concise communication, something that is emphasized heavily in the tranquil space teacher training. ask for exactly what you want in as few words as possible — this avoids needless rambling or talking in circles. the author writes, "find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama." how many of us have tortured ourselves over something that we thought someone meant when we were totally off base? assumptions involve jumping to conclusions over our own perceptions of what we would mean if we had said what that other person said; however, it is always a great lesson in humility to realize that not everyone thinks or reacts as we do. really? the fourth agreement is "always do your best." this concept is similar to the yoga niyama isvara pranidanah — acting as best we can and then letting go of attachment to the outcome of our actions. the author writes, "your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret." years ago when i would complain to a friend about an attorney that i worked with (in my former paralegal days), my friend would remind me that everyone is doing the best they can with what they have. i always try to remember that when i get frustrated, as most people are operating the best they can with the tools they have. isn't that powerful? by showing up each day with a clean canvas on which to paint your life, and putting your best foot forward in each situation, you will live a life with few regrets. these four agreements are very powerful, especially coupled with the yogic principles. as yogis, we are striving to lead a more conscious lifestyle. blended with our innate humanness there is always a struggle, but i'd like to think that those of us pursing a yoga lifestyle are doing so in a non-pretentious, non-dogmatic, but somewhat enlightened way simply because we have more tools — asana and beyond. choose an agreement and the corresponding yogic principle to play with each week of july. practice being an observer of yourself, and watch as your world begins to transform through these basic principles.
for more of kimberly's fave yoga and lifestyle picks, visit savvy sources.
 
my love of dogs extends well beyond my present furry friend, polo, whom i love and adore. our welsh corgi, when i was four years old, used to take orders from me rather than my mom, and even now my welsh corgi mutt listens to me much better than he listens to his dad, my wonderful partner in life, marco. yes, my corny sense of humor extends beyond the yoga mat and my teaching; i have my very own marco polo! the beauty of having my animals, which includes two beautiful cats, is that it reminds me constantly of enjoying the moment, staying present — not to worry about the future, because it will all work out. though that is a lesson i have to remind myself of, it is also connected to two yoga principles which have a particular meaning for me right now: samtosha and asteya. reflecting upon these is not something i have always done, but is something a little more recent and has helped me to try to keep some balance in my life. my animals remind me of the niyama santosha: be present, be grateful for what i have, and take comfort in the idea that life will not throw at me more than i can handle. my practice also helps me to remember that i have to take care of myself in order to better serve others. a few months ago i was feeling frustrated about how things were progressing in my life, and i was comparing my life and situation to others. then i had to teach the yamas in teacher training, and boy, did the lightning strike. i never thought of myself as a jealous person, and then i realized that i wanted what others had, which left me feeling inadequate. then when discussing the yama asteya i realized that i was sabotaging myself. so i took a step back, and was honest while looking at what i did have in my life. there is much abundance in it: my loving marco, great dog and cats, a wonderful family, a network of supportive friends, a fabulous business partner, and wonderful students who let me into their lives every time they step into my class!
clothing, accessories, and specialties to enrich your life on and off the mat
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. view the entire luxe lifestyle tranquiliT collection. NEW at tranquiliT boutique: let us help you showcase your signature style! if you would like assistance choosing complimentary and comfortable yoga wear, e-mail info@tranquiliTboutique.com to set up an appointment. we know that wearing the same clothing from yoga class to the cafe simplifies life in a comfy way so we are happy to help. tranquiliT boutique's featured item this month is the tranquiliT tie top, which can be tied in front or back for a varied look. perfect for running in and out of the summer a/c, and for savasana in style. available in petal, apple, black and lilac. 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 august 30, 2005 
© 2005 tranquil space, llc. all rights reserved. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
yours,
tranquiliT boutique is a fusion of fashion and passion in celebration of yogis' bodies and spirits! 
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.
