“what lies before us and what lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us.” tranquil space is a lifestyle-focused yoga studio that serves to enhance lives on and off the yoga mat. but what does this really mean? having reflected on this a lot recently, i wanted to share the evolutionary process. six years ago when i went through my first teacher training, i consciously decided that i didn't want to become a yoga teacher who leads students through a series of poses and then simply sends them on their way. so when i began inviting strangers into my living room to practice, i knew i wanted to offer them more — ways to live life more fully, ways to explore their creative side, ways to connect with other like-minded washingtonians, and ways to find their edge. the incorporation of yoga principles off the mat becomes a lifestyle — a way of life that reflects a person's values and attitudes. by viewing yoga as a lifestyle, i began to explore how best to teach yoga off the mat in a way that allowed students to find their own path and personalize it. practicing yoga may simply be moving through the poses when you first come across a yoga mat, but the practice also lovingly teaches connection to the more subtle aspects of yourself. for example, yoga has helped me become a much stronger person, both physically and emotionally. yes, chaturanga seemed like an impossible feat at the beginning, now i can't imagine life without it. yes, having to initiate an uncomfortable conversation has never been easy, but somehow yoga has helped empower me to do so. also, by paying attention to my truth (satya), i recognize the alternative — i'm uneasy about something, but not being authentic by ignoring it. yoga is not about perfection, judgment, regret, following blindly, or a belief that there is only one way. yoga is personalized for every practitioner and that is the beauty of the practice. yoga as a lifestyle is about authenticity, making value-based decisions, empowerment, self-study (svadhyaya), compassion, presenting your best self to the world, passion, intention, moderation (brahmacharya), and self-nurturing. tranquil space is a special haven where i hope others will be inspired to live life in a way that shines. after all, that is why you are here, to shine as brightly as possible! you were drawn to the practice for a reason and i encourage you to explore this deeper. the mission of tranquil space is taking principles of yoga out of the studio and into daily life. i believe this to be so important that tranquil space offers workshops that help you explore your practice in areas such as money management, conscious cooking, and even knitting. some teachers laughingly confess that they live their yoga through self-care practices such as pedicures and massages! continue your exploration of yoga as a lifestyle and enjoy the constant evolution of it. relish in the notion that you are challenging yourself in subtle and overt ways every time you step onto the mat. honor the intentions and dedications that you create. begin each day with the one-pointed focus we seek in yoga, and end each day in gratitude. unleash your unlimited potential within as a first step to embodying yoga as a lifestyle. let your yogic lifestyle be as unique as you are. embrace the teachings, hold onto what resonates with you, and continue to live your life one pose at a time. 5 tips to living your yoga on and off the mat
visit kimberly's online blog for regular musings on the practice of life and yoga.
my knees and hips ached from pounding pavement. i knew when it was going to rain, by the pain in my hips. my back would seize up after many hours of working. i couldn't stand up straight, nor touch my toes, for that matter. my stomach churned from precarious eating habits. my doctor offered pills, which made me numb. my friends offered me sound advice, which i could not hear. my bosses offered me pay increases, to stave off my dissatisfaction. i would offer myself goals, which i could never achieve, and thus led myself to greater sadness. i was just miserable. i wasn't sure of where i wanted to be, but i knew i ached everywhere. i was a bit of a wreck physically, mentally, and spiritually. nothing seemed to fit; everything was misaligned. what i thought i wanted was not what i wanted. when i first came to yoga my expectation was instant, immediate, gratifying change. yoga equals enlightenment and bliss. right? yes, that's what it'll bring me. how much is a class? fine, that's enough to pay for bliss. at my first class, i rolled out my mat, and waited for it to hit me. instead, i was suspicious of the strange, cultish chanting. i sweat a lot, soaking my mat. in my head, i cursed the instructor for punishing us with those damned poses. during the class, no bolt of lightning came down, no instant cure. i was so mad and disturbed. through practice though, i did begin to realize how much subtle pain i had stored in my body and mind. despite this difficult realization, i came back to practice. something small inside of me had started to change and to blossom. this didn't happen quickly enough to satiate my hungry ego, which wanted it now! however, some greater intuition knew that yoga was moving me in the right direction. so i came back to the mat again, and again. after some years of practice, i became a certified teacher at tranquil space. i studied with some great teachers like darren main, cindy lee, baron baptiste, our favorite kimberly wilson, and the gang of creative nurturing yoginis of tranquil space. in their own unique ways, they taught me so much about myself. they gave me community, knowledge, confidence, insight, and much laughter. to follow my professional passions, i quit my job, finished my graduate studies in social work, and worked with people living with hiv and aids. instead of telling my clients what i thought was right, i worked with them to find their own unique truth. i allowed my clients to instruct me on the value of human life, faith, and acceptance. through this process of growth, i allowed myself to be open to learning. accepting what has been, what is, and whatever is to come. i learned to just be okay with it. through the whole process of change, nothing was immediate. instead, the process of growth has been slow and steady, demanding consistent practice and evaluation. my evolving growth process is still happening, even as i write this. i'm not sure what's coming next, but that's okay. yoga has taught me find balance in my reaction to the chaotic changes around me and within me. here are some lessons form my yogic path*: so with all this wisdom, my hips can still predict the rain, i still sweat a lot, and i still don't get (or want to get) the yama of brahmacarya (moderation). what i've learned is to honor my own uniqueness, and to nurture my own creative path. in the process of being able to touch my toes, and to put my foot behind my head, i've also found what i searched for: happiness and self-acceptance. thanks to all the amazing yogis, family, and friends who have helped to rekindle my fire. with much warmth and love in my heart, p.s. please donate to the whitman-walker clinic in these difficult times. they do amazing work, which brings so much light into people's lives. much suffering and sadness has been extinguished due the committed work they do. it would be a tragic thing to see that light go out.http://www.wwc.org/ join kevin on the mat june 12 at 12:30 p.m. for fluid vinyasa flow: detox & renew!
clothing, accessories, and specialties to enrich your life on and off the mat
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 wearing on and off the yoga mat. the tranquiliT boutique blends a love of fashion, a desire for comfort, and a sprinkle of flair. tranquiliT boutique's featured item this month is the tranquiliT wrap top featured in may's washingtonian. 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 
2024 p street, nw |
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yours,
tranquiliT boutique is a fusion of fashion and passion in celebration of yogis' bodies and spirits! tranquil space's own line of yoga clothing and accessories, tranquiliT, is designed for the style-conscious yogini and was featured in december's 
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.
