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happy spring!
may's e-museletter contains:
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“if i can stop one heart from breaking,
i shall not live in vain.
if i can ease one life the aching,
or cool one pain,
or help one fainting robin
unto his nest again,
i shall not live in vain.”
~ emily dickinson
how can i be of service today? have you ever stopped to think how different our world would be if we began our day with this simple question?
last night we celebrated the graduation of this year's 200-hour teacher training group. during our final weekend together, we discussed the importance of viewing teaching as a service. but service goes well beyond teaching yoga, it can become a way of life. imagine this: you awaken to the sound of ocean waves, leap out of bed excited about the fresh day ahead, and ponder what steps you will take today to make a difference.
ok, back to reality. you wake up to an alarm clock buzz when you're finally in a deep sleep and wonder how you'll get everything done on your to-do list. yet, as yogis, we can incorporate this concept of service into our daily grind even when we're feeling a bit discombobulated and sleep deprived.
i just finished the draft of my final book chapter on savvy social consciousness. it opened my eyes to the various ways in which our values translate into everyday habits, along with the ways we contribute to a better society through volunteering, conscious consumption, and small gestures. being of service is why we're here. you may practice this by raising a family, creating a business, mentoring a child, or helping someone in need across the street.
another way we can be of service is by example. i view certain women as mentors although i've never met them (anais nin, oprah). live your life in a way that inspires others. what is your message? are you living life fully or sleep-walking from one to-do to the next? how can you get closer to the imagined state described above?
dedicate your practice to someone who you would like to honor through the energy and effort you put forth. the creative options are limitless.
as the poem above states, if you can make a difference to just one person, your life is not in vain. explore ways to help improve the quality of someone else's life. below are some easy ideas on how to do so:
- really listen to your mother
- pick up trash on the sidewalk
- volunteer at a nursing home
- foster a kitten
- buy from local farmers
- shop independent designers
- connect with a charity
- recycle
- plant a garden
- wear eco-friendly clothing
- leave a "you rock" post-it on your colleague's computer
- give a gift just because
every day you are given a fresh canvas on which to paint. what do you want your masterpiece to look like? explore the ways in which your life contributes to your community. what small step can you take today to make a difference in someone else's life, ultimately affecting yours?
may we all live a life that has a positive effect on others in our own unique way. you have a special gift. explore it and let it shine. thank you for so positively affecting mine over the past seven years!
 graciously yours,
kimberly wilson
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| - class schedule: more exciting changes for our spring schedule catered to various levels and moods: yin/yang, restorative, yoga 1-3, express, slow flow, and more! all 1-hour classes are now $13 and considered express classes which blend yoga 1 alignment with yoga 2 flow. visit webscheduler for all the scoop.
- join carol for a tuesday morning sunrise series. yogis may pay $70 for all 6 classes or drop in to any one class for $13. class passes do not apply. current 6-week series is in session; next one starts may 16.
- memorial day weekend. we ARE open but on a reduced schedule on monday, may 29.
- click here for a description of how to sign up for classes early, buy more classes online, checking your pass status, and more!
- you can now use your pass at both dupont and bethesda locations! (webscheduler will only work for the location where you purchased the pass though). we hope you enjoy taking your tranquility between these two locations!
- 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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| - join us in celebration of dc yoga week, april 29 - may 5. enjoy a 10% off savings throughout the week on tranquiliT boutique treats. no other discounts apply.
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| - our specialty spa includes more on-site tranquiliT treatments, including pregnancy massage, deep tissue massage, and more! for all the scoop on our specialty spa, visit the redesigned treatments page for more information and to treat yourself to a treatment!
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- we have loads of inspiring lifestyle and yoga workshops scheduled this spring. float into yoga 3 on april 30, enjoying the art of tea workshop on april 30, infant massage on may 2 and 9, preparing for birth with yoga on may 6, jivamukti workshop on may 7, hip hop yoga on may 12, doga (a benefit for the washington humane society) and girls night in (a benefit for my sister's place) on may 13. visit enlightening events for ALL the scoop.
| - teacher training/deepening your practice 3 — fluid power intensive with doug swenson, may 19-21, 2006
this fun, educational, informative and inspirational training is for teachers and those wishing to deepen their practice. topics include: power ashtanga, the art of fluid adjustments, practicing yoga adjustments (all levels), problems and solutions, yoga kriyas/cleansing techniques, philosophy/background of yoga, anatomy and alignment, mysore style practice, meditation and deep relaxation, endurance yoga, vinyasa flow, partner yoga, building a personal practice, teaching yoga adjustments, enhanced diet and nutrition, and cross training. sign up now!
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| - join tranquil space and urban divas in celebration of a girls' night in on saturday, may 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. sip herbal tea and shop the tranquiliT boutique (featured in daily candy and offering special discounts this night only). indulge in complimentary spa treatments, nosh on mini cupcakes, and mingle with new friends. partake in an optional mini-yoga session with kimberly. bring your girlfriends, wear comfy clothes, and let your hair down. $5 raffles for must-have prizes! proceeds will benefit my sister's place. suggested donation for my sister's place: $5.
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- community celebration: our way to celebrate tranquil space yogis' honors and developments! please share your celebrations with us by emailing newsletter@tranquilspace.com.
- congratulations to stephanie curcuru, who gave birth to madeline on march 21.
- congratulations to stacy swartwood, who gave birth to delia marren on april 5.
- congratulations to sandra algarra, who gave birth to elijah on april 1.
| - congratulations to teacher training level 2 graduates: donna, todd, purvi, niyah, jenni, kobi, devin, tasha, kelly, morgane, david, christina, rachael, caroline, julie, gina, geri, andrea, miri, rebecca, and haven!
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- a warm goodbye to long-time teacher peg armstrong who is venturing back to maine. look for her in june, as she's leading 3 workshops and teacher training!
- congrats to katharine and don keller on their 40th wedding anniversary.
- congratulations to maureen cruz on completing her ph.d!
- we celebrate the life of larry grodsky, beloved partner to TS yogi mary ann puglisi, whose life was taken suddenly and unexpectedly this month. all our love, condolences, and support go to mary ann.
| - we send warm wishes to wendy timmons and her beloved dog tess who survived being hit by a car and is happily recovering!
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chuck zebrowski
 may is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. long, warm days, with light late into the evening and tons of beautiful flowers and trees — its such a relief to really know that winter is behind us and summer is just around the corner! it's a time when i try to find a way to get outside for a walk in the neighborhood or, better yet, into the woods for a lovely hike. of course, one critical part of any hike is choosing which path to take. as any of my friends will tell you, when it comes to choosing a path i always choose the one that takes the most time, requires the most energy and can often end up with moments of confusion (i don't like to use the word "lost"). that trait is seen whether i am on foot or in a car. sometimes it even happens when i'm talking. . . .
at any rate, the urge to explore new and different paths is one of the benefits of an active yoga practice. in practicing yoga we have the opportunity not just to explore a new path but to actively and mindfully choose the path we want to travel. the paths we choose may be difficult, even frightening. we get to choose our path each time we come to the mat or sit in silence with our own emotions, fears, disappointments, attachments and aversions. at any time we could give up and go back to the well-worn path of old habits and avoidance of difficult poses or difficult issues — to return to the sleepy state that we struggle to awaken from. but instead we choose to move ahead — to keep searching for our own path and our own sense of life and awareness. i think that is the beauty of yoga — it is a practice that never really ends. the challenges are always there for as well as the opportunities for exploration and growth.
as i was working on this, one of my dear friends sent me a dailyom article on the same subject. there's a great quote in it that i'd like to share:
"there are both long and short roads that are sometimes curved and sometimes straight. enjoy and learn from the adventure. often, when we look at nature, the beauty is in the unexpected. no two plants or minerals are exactly the same and even the smallest plants curve gracefully. the curving path is often the most interesting one. the lesson we can take from that is to avoid becoming attached to what "needs" to happen and to remain flexible as we continue on our journeys. if you are determined to achieve certain goals, you will achieve them, no matter how many twists and turns you must travel to do so."
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.
 half moon / ardha chandrasana
benefits
- strengthens the abdomen, ankles, thighs, buttocks, and spine
- stretches the groins, hamstrings and calves, shoulders, chest, and spine
- improves coordination and sense of balance
- helps relieve stress
- improves digestion
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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.
 david orlovsky
i recently called a friend on the way home from yoga. i must have sounded particularly relaxed and jubilant, because he commented, "sounds like someone went to happy hour." my response was, "even better, i just got out of yoga!"
i get tongue tied when someone asks why i enjoy yoga. i don't know exactly where to start. do i talk about the physical benefits: strength, flexibility and balance? do i talk about how it transformed my approach to life challenges? i usually get caught up in the moment and wonder how much i should share. yoga is about movement and experience, which is hard to express in words.
kevin waldorf introduced me to yoga, while he was taking his teacher training. he wanted a couple of friends to be guinea pigs, and i guess i looked like a little piggy to him. in the middle of winter, i would traipse over to his house and practice in his living room. kevin provided a comfortable space to challenge myself, while learning the benefits of yoga. i can still picture the dust-bunnies underneath his couch, which i made my drishtis. we had fun and every practice was a unique experience. since i had such a great time with kevin, i was a bit nervous about taking my first class at tranquil space.
the fears slowly subsided, as i learned from the unique approaches of tranquil space teachers — in particular, peg armstrong, who has brought so much to my practice and my life. i've always walked out of her classes feeling the "yogic buzz." often, i would think peg structured her classes to exactly what i needed that day. after talking with others, i realized many of us feel that same way. peg seamlessly integrates the spiritual and mental aspects into her classes. it takes a tremendous teacher to create such an experience.
yoga has been a very personal journey. every practice is a reflection of that. when i started my journey, each asana was a goal to be achieved. now, i've learned to gradually appreciate the peace in each pose. tranquil space teachers continue to inspire me to find my physical and mental edge. i acknowledge my strengths and allow them to grow further. my self-confidence has improved through yoga. through my journey, i've learned to incorporate the lessons off of my mat and into my everyday life.
namaste,
david
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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.
 gina tauschek
although i've practiced yoga on and off for over 5 years, it was about a year and a half ago that i decided i wanted to deepen my practice and possibly teach. in order to take myself to the next level i needed to find a studio, one that valued the same things i did and would help me grow. after trying various places in the area i came to tranquil space, and after one class i just knew. then suddenly things just started falling into place. a studio assistant position opened up that worked perfectly with my schedule, and the rest, as they say, is history.
i just finished my level two training last month, and looking back i'm astonished at the changes in myself. i practiced yoga because i liked the way it made me feel, and i wanted to teach because i thought it would be an enjoyable part time job. now it's really become so much more. it's become part of who i am, and it's not just an exercise or a job, it's a blessing. i'm so grateful to kimberley and all the teachers here who have, in their own special way, touched my life. thank you for making tranquil space feel like a home and not just a studio.
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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. look for newly added yoga cards, organic bath products, and more books!
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, daily candy, fit yoga, the washingtonian, and the washington post. view our most recent mention in the express. look for the much-loved pucci-inspired print in a newly arrived teal, baby blue, and tan mix.
tranquiliT boutique's featured item this month is the tranquiliT cap tunic — this season's must-have for wearing as a dress or over your fave yoga pants. made of luxurious and eco-friendly bamboo fabric. during this month, the featured item is 15% off (in studio only, no other discounts apply).
specials valid through may 31, 2006
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.
 at tranquil space we believe that yoga is a lifestyle. the tranquil space specialty spa is an urban oasis where you can nurture your body and soothe your soul with tranquiliT treatments — specialty services that cater to the yogi spirit.
how tranquiliT treatments can benefit you:
- 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
for information about transformational life counseling with peg, see our tlc page.
our spa menu includes:
studio:
- sign up in advance for class, check your class pass status, and see who's teaching with webscheduler.
- interested in free yoga? visit studio opportunities for openings.
- tour tranquil space: dc's urban excursion for yoga and lifestyle.
- rent the studio for your own practice or event.
- 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!
- please familiarize yourself with tranquil space's student tips.
- please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your space.
community:
beyond the mat:
- party in yoga style! a tranquil way to celebrate special events.
- 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.
pre/postnatal:
- introducing the $99 workshop passport! deepen your yoga practice and nurture your off-the-mat efforts. choose four 2-hour tranquil space workshops with studio teachers at over 15% off the regular price. valid for 6 months. no other discounts apply.
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deepening your practice:
• float into yoga 3 (sunday, april 30, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.)
• jivamukti yoga workshop (sunday, may 7, 12:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
• hip hop yoga (friday, may 12, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
• teacher training 3: fluid power intensive with, doug swenson (may 19-21)
• get your asana inspired, with kimberly (sunday, june 25, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• get your asana moving, with kimberly (sunday, july 9, 4:30 - 6:30 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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