welcome to september at tranquil space   this month's e-news contains: studio happenings seasonal specials enlightening events asana, yogi, & tranquiliTeam player of the month tranquiliT boutique reflective closing thoughts   · visit tranquilspace.com   · current class schedule   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.   studio happenings Expanded Fall schedule! We now have 43 weekly yoga classes; some are more crowded than others. Please check our new class times to accommodate your schedule, as many classes are still quite small and intimate. New schedule postcards can be picked up at the studio. Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your space as select classes may fill quickly. Refer a friend who buys a pass and receive a free class! Have your friend fill out a referral card with your name on it, located at the front desk. Valid only for first-time pass purchases. Towels now available for rent at the studio for $1. Massage at Tranquil Space! We are pleased to offer a complement to your yoga practice beginning this month in the sky studio. Visit www.tranquilspace.com/massage.html for details. Please note the $1 mat rental fee at our new home. You are welcome to store your yoga mat at the studio in the dressing rooms. Private Sessions are now available at the studio for $75/hour, along with in-class private sessions. Please visit www.tranquilspace.com/private_sessions_and_parties.html for more details. We have a book exchange located in the green tea lounge upstairs. Please feel free to read in the lounge, take a book, or leave a book. Create a Tranquil Space at your office or next event! Tranquil Space offers yoga parties for any special occasion, series of classes at your office and office yoga workshops! For more information, please contact yogaoutreach@tranquilspace.com. Newbie Yogi Series coming again on Sundays in September! A 4-week series catered to the developing, inquisitive yogi. Visit the newbie yogi series page for details! Please familiarize yourself with studio tips. Share your suggestions: we have placed a suggestions box in the swirlie hallway which awaits any thoughts, comments, praise or requests our yogis may have. If you'd like a response, be sure to include your e-mail address. Or please fill out this studio survey. Thank you for sharing! Community celebration: A new addition to the monthly newsletter and a way to celebrate Tranquil Space yogis' honors and developments! Please share your recent news with us by e-mailing newsletter@tranquilspace.com. A warm goodbye to Abaseh Mirvali, one of our favorite yogis, who is moving out of the country this month. (Lucky for us, she'll be flying back in to take teacher training!!) Congratulations to Carol Collins on the birth of baby yogini Sophia! Please share photos of you wearing tranquiliT tees off the beaten path. This month's feature is Jessie Cerullo in Croatia! Send photos to newsletter@tranquilspace.com.

seasonal specials

Fall "Back to Yoga" Specials

• Newbie Yogi Special
  3 classes for $33. First time yogis only. Valid for 3 months from date of first use.
• Student Yogi Special
  During the Autumnal months, all students will receive 15% off class pass purchases.
• "Omwork" (not homework!) Special
  Buy a CD and a long-sleeved tranquiliT^® tee for $32.
• Fall into Yoga Special
  Buy a tranquiliT^® tee of your choice and cotton yoga pants (w/o trim) for $55.
• Ongoing Special
  Buy a mat available in assorted colors and an aroma tranquiliT^® mat bag available in toile, chambray, floral and leopard print for only $60!

specials valid through november 30, 2003

enlightening events

newbie yogi 4-week series
Tranquil Space is pleased to begin offering a 4-week series of yoga classes designed especially for complete beginners. The Newbie Series is an excellent, structured way of getting to know the basics of vinyasa flow yoga. Click here for details!

	Dates:	Sunday, September 7    Sunday, September 14    Sunday, September 21    Sunday, September 28
	Time:	10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$90, $80 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: newbieprogram@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	Register Online for Sept. 7 - Sept. 28 series
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

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.

	Dates:	Monthly:    Saturday, September 13    Saturday, October 11
	Time:	12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	Register Online for September 13 Newbie Yogi:
	Register Online for October 11 Newbie Yogi:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

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.

	Dates:	Monthly:    Sunday, September 14    Sunday, October 12
	Time:	12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	Register Online for September 14 Jump Into Yoga 2:
	Register Online for October 12 Jump Into Yoga 2:
		(In the comment box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

deepening your practice: hip openers
It has been said that the more open the hips, the more open the heart! Join Pary Williamson for an afternoon of hip focusing fun. This workshop will begin with meditation and a flow of various standing asanas to warm the body and gradually open the hips. The breath will be used to assist the opening while allowing the body to go deeper into each pose. The afternoon will end with floor work, using seated and supine poses to relieve tightness and unwanted stored emotions from the hips. You will leave the workshop feeling relaxed and restored throughout while gaining a better understanding of working with your hips!

	Date:	Sunday, September 14
	Time:	2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered    OR register for all "deepening your practice"    workshops for $150
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
	OR Register for All "Deepening Your Practice" Workshops for $150:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

autumnal intention setting
September is the beginning of a new year for many of us and is a time for intention setting both in your yoga practice and in your life. Join Jessie for 2 hours of guided meditation, heating and cooling pranayama, and vinyasa flow inspired by your body's unique intelligence and intuition. All levels of yogis welcome.

	Date:	Sunday, September 21
	Time:	2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the comment box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

rooftop yoga
Watch the sun set and enjoy the fresh air as we travel through an intermediate vinyasa practice led by Lisa Farmer on the rooftop of an historic building a few blocks from Dupont Circle. Please bring your own yoga mat, a hand towel, water and an eager spirit. Enjoy the setting while taking your practice further during the challenging, yet empowering class overlooking our nation's capital.

	Date:	Monday, September 22
	Time:	6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
	Location:	1615 Q Street, top floor
	Cost:	$30, $25 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the comment box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

yoga for back health
According to the American Academy of Orthepedic Surgeons, 80 percent of people experience back pain at one time or another. The most common reaction is to restrict movement, which can create more pain. The Yoga for Back Health workshop aims to build a healthy back and prevent pain from occuring. The goals of the session with Alison Lemon are to:

• create awareness of areas of pain and stiffness;
• address common postural problems that can contribute to pain;
• learn mudras, pranayama, and asanas that will promote optimal back health;
• use guided imagery to explore emotional issues related to chronic pain; and
• experience extended relaxation.

	Date:	Saturday, September 27
	Time:	2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

deepening your practice: arm balancing and inversions
A workshop with Lisa Farmer designed to give yogis courage to tackle challenging poses such as crow, koundinyasana, forearm stand, and handstand while developing strength and confidence. Yogis will be given a chance to explore their edge while moving into the various stages of the poses with a sense of self-compassion.

	Date:	Sunday, September 28
	Time:	12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
	Location:	Tranquil Space
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered    OR register for all "deepening your practice"    workshops for $150
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
	OR Register for All "Deepening Your Practice" Workshops for $150:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

full moon yoga
The luminous fullness of the moon represents plenitude, abundance, and generous blessings. Join Danielle Polen for a beautiful evening of flowing, meditative movement, featuring guided Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations) by candlelight, lunar mantras, and poetic offerings. In contrast to the energetic, heating quality of sun salutations, moon salutations cultivate a sense of calm and rejuvenation, providing an opportunity to shed old layers and reaffirm our highest intentions. Come and celebrate the feeling of being fully alive, as you absorb and integrate the powerful energy and quiet beauty of the full moon.

And if she faintly glimmers here,
And paled is her light,
Yet always in her proper sphere
She's Mistress of the Night.
--Henry David Thoreau

	Date:	Friday, October 10
	Time:	7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

women's health workshop
Yoga is the perfect way for women to care for the unique needs of their bodies. In this workshop, Alison Lemon will help you to create a home practice that will enhance your in-class practice. Learn which asanas honor the menstrual cycle, alleviate symptoms of common digestive disorders, and ease headaches.

	Date:	Saturday, October 11
	Time:	2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

deepening your practice: standing poses
Join Andrea Franchini for an afternoon breaking down the alignment and details of various standing poses. After spending time with each pose we will enjoy the sensations of integrating them into a flowing vinyasa practice. Great for yogis of all levels interested in strengthening their standing flow.

	Date:	Sunday, October 12
	Time:	2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered    OR register for all "deepening your practice"    workshops for $150
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
	OR Register for All "Deepening Your Practice" Workshops for $150:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

"yoga means union..."
Partner yoga is ideal for those looking to explore deeper connections in their relationships through the practice of yoga. Join Lisa Farmer on a journey of supported vinyasa yoga as we explore how to maximize our asanas through your partner's body weight, support and breath. We will focus on conscious breathing and connecting the heart chakras while flowing through an evening vinyasa practice. This workshop is appropriate for all levels and everyone is welcome. Feel free to come alone and we'll pair you up or bring a partner.

	Date:	Friday, October 17
	Time:	7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	Couple: $55, $50 if pre-registered    Individual: $35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online as a Couple:
	To Register Online as an Individual:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

deepening your practice: restorative poses
Indulge yourself this Saturday afternoon with restorative poses with Siobhan Troy. Turn inward by relaxing into yoga poses over blankets and letting go of any tension held within the body. A restorative practice is beautiful for all levels and allows one to deepen into various poses while holding for many minutes and surrendering to all that arises. Please bring an open heart and desire to open up to the beauty of the moment.

	Date:	Saturday, October 18
	Time:	2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered    OR register for all "deepening your practice"    workshops for $150
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
	OR Register for All "Deepening Your Practice" Workshops for $150:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

deepening your practice: create a home practice
Join Lisa Farmer for an afternoon exploring the elements of a creative and effective home practice. Create a practice that works for you, integrating fun pose sequencing, self-motivation, and self-awareness.

	Date:	Sunday, October 19
	Time:	2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered    OR register for all "deepening your practice"    workshops for $150
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
	OR Register for All "Deepening Your Practice" Workshops for $150:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

deepening your practice: seated poses and twists
Join Anne Thiel for an afternoon of detoxifying and awakening the spine through variations of forward bends, twists, abdominal strengthening and hip opening. Enjoy how various props and assists will help you deepen your seated pose practice. For those seeking more challenge, we will also explore the addition of vinyasas between the various seated poses.

	Date:	Saturday, October 25
	Time:	2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered    OR register for all "deepening your practice"    workshops for $150
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
	OR Register for All "Deepening Your Practice" Workshops for $150:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

explore the magic of yoga in mexico
Join Kimberly at Maya Tulum, a retreat center bathed by the magical and warm waters of the Caribbean Sea located 1.5 hours south of Cancun in the Yucatan Peninsula, land of the ancient Maya. Nestled at the entrance of the national park Sian Ka'an (mayan for 'where the sky is born'), the beach is at your doorstep. The crystal clear, turquoise colored, warm sea invites you to swim at any time. Unspoiled white sandy beaches extend for miles. The climate is ideal, and the sun shines all year with cooling sea breezes and a glorious clear sky.

A divine way to experience the benefits of yoga while taking your practice deeper. Two daily 2-hour yoga classes with Kimberly, 3 daily vegetarian meals, and lodging are included. Airfare is additional. Ground transportation to Maya Tulum from the Cancun airport is included if you arrive by 3:00 on Saturday, October 25. All rooms come with your own bathroom and prices are based on double occupancy. Early registration is encouraged.

	Date:	Saturday, October 25 - Saturday, November 1, 2003
	Time:	A full week of yoga & the beach
	Location:	Maya Tulum Resort, Mexico
	Cost:	Deluxe $1300, Super-Deluxe $1450; $350 non-refundable deposit reserves your space
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:	$350 non-refundable deposit
		$850 balance
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page,   please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

newbie yogi 4-week series
Tranquil Space is pleased to begin offering a 4-week series of yoga classes designed especially for complete beginners. The Newbie Series is an excellent, structured way of getting to know the basics of vinyasa flow yoga. Click here for details!

	Dates:	Saturday, November 1    Saturday, November 8    Saturday, November 15    Saturday, November 22
	Time:	10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$100, $90 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: newbieprogram@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	Register Online for Nov. 1 - Nov. 22 series
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

post-natal and mommy and me yoga
This post-natal workshop with Carol Collins will provide moms with the basics of strengthening and de-stressing muscles and emotions overworked by the demands of being a new mother. Use this time to connect again with your bodies by learning how to center your awareness, rebuild your pelvic floor muscles and abdominals. Explore yoga postures that relieve neck and back discomfort, and discover ways to flow through a vinyasa yoga class to maintain balance while strenghtening your legs and lower body. This is also a great way to connect with your new baby and other moms! Bring your baby or come alone. Babies not yet crawling are welcome. Doctor approval is recommended.

	Date:	Saturday, November 8
	Time:	2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

fall foliage yoga retreat
A crisp fall weekend full of yoga and retreating with Kimberly at a beautiful spiritual center in Virginia, approximately 3.5 hours from DC. Unleash the flow of your creativity this fall season with a weekend away from it all exploring the interplay of yoga, journal writing, meditation, hiking, soaking in the hot tub, warming in the sauna or simply taking a much needed nap.

A perfect escape for the weary soul right before the holiday rush begins. Join others in letting go and turning inward among the beautiful canvas of fall foliage. Early registration is encouraged, space is limited. Transportation is on your own.

	Date:	Friday, November 14 - Sunday, November 16, 2003
	Time:	Friday, 8:00 p.m. - Sunday, 2:00 p.m.
	Location:	Yogaville, near Charlottesville, VA
	Cost:	$275 double occupancy, $325 single occupancy,    $250 double and $300 single if registered by October 25
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:	$250 double occupancy
		$300 single occupancy
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page,   please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

massage for couples or friends
This workshop, with Eduardo Cortina, CMT, will introduce a variety of massage techniques for your partner or friend. We will cover basic Swedish technique, trigger points, Reiki, and some deep tissue and bodywork techniques. Eduardo teaches T'ai Chi, is a certified MT and Alexander Technique Teacher, Craniosacral Therapist, and a level III Reiki practitioner. Please bring shorts for men, and two piece bathing suit for women or equivalent. We will provide tables and cushions, oil or cream, and sheets for draping. Each partner will receive a one hour massage from their partner during the workshop.
Workshop limited to 5 pairs only so please register early.

	Date:	Saturday, November 15
	Time:	1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$150 per couple or pair
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

reducing stress through yoga
stress release workshop
Stress affects our lives on a daily basis. Sure we feel relaxed after yoga, but what about the rest of the time? This workshop will look at the connection between stress and physical illness. Alison will teach strategies to take yoga off the mat and help you deal better with stress, especially in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

• journal about sources of stress in your life, and discover ways to simplify
• identify areas of the body where you hold stress
• learn simple techniques you can use at work, home, or standing in line at the grocery store
• decompress with a vinyasa practice geared towards releasing stress
• experience guided meditation and deep, extended relaxation

	Date:	Saturday, November 22
	Time:	2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	$35, $30 if pre-registered
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com
	Cancellation Policy:	enlightening events cancellation policy
	To Register by Mail:	Registration Form
	To Register by Phone:	Please call 202.223.yoga
	To Register Online:
		(In the "optional instructions" box on the final payment page, please indicate what you'd like to gain from this event.)

Regular classes are canceled this day!
thanksgiving pre-tofurkey charity yoga practice
Join Anne Thiel on Thanksgiving, November 27 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., for a pre-tofurkey all-level donation yoga practice. Proceeds from this class will benefit So Others Might Eat, a local organization that exists to help the low-income and less-fortunate of DC, especially the homeless and elderly.

	Date:	Thursday, November 27
	Time:	10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
	Location:	2024 p street, nw
	Cost:	Donations for So Others Might Eat.
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com

tranquil space holiday celebration
Join Tranquil Space yoga off the mat for our 4th annual holiday party and release of Kimberly's latest cd, a beginning-level practice. A delightful evening filled with vegetarian hors d'oeuvres, holiday cheer, treats for all, and a chance to mingle with your fellow yogis.

	Date:	Sunday, December 14
	Time:	7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
	Location:	Blue Room, 2321 18th street, nw
	Questions?:	Email: events@tranquilspace.com

asana of the month
hanumanasana / splits

Benefits: This pose is named after Hanuman, the laughing monkey god who was famous for his incredible leaps. Benefits include a gradual opening in the hamstring of the front leg and the hip flexor of the back leg. Even though this is the pose of the month, it may take you many months or years to get all the way down to the floor, so let this be a way to cultivate patience. The challenge of hanumanasana invites us to be present and let go of our usual goal oriented vision and to soften into the experience.

yogis of the month
stephan sylvan & rachel fineberg

Stephan:
As a former Big 10 college wrestler, I use to think yoga was for sissies. How could an hour of gentle stretching do anything beyond improve flexibility, I wondered. All those wild claims about the benefits of yoga seemed to be just that: wild claims.

Years later I discovered Tranquil Space and began to realize how foolish I was for doubting. Through Tranquil Space I experienced not just the physical cleansing of a good workout but an incredibly deep sense of relaxation, peace, and, for lack of a better word, wellbeing.

Tranquil Space has been a Godsend in dealing with not just with the daily stress of busy urban life. It has also helped me deal with some tough life issues. In the 3 years since Rachel and I started at Tranquil Space my mother and her father were diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. The Tranquil Space yoga was my refuge, flushing my worries and anxieties so I could provide them support from a position of love instead of fear.

Rachel:
I started taking yoga in college for a required gym credit. I felt a little silly doing poses like the lion that required me to roll my eyes back and stick my tongue out, but I also started to appreciate the benefits of yoga and how refreshed I felt after each class. Since then I have found the joy in many varieties of yoga, such as Iyengar, Sivananda, and now Vinyasa.

But it wasn't until Stephan entered my life that I have been able to develop a more regular practice. Stephan encourages me to take yoga. I like that about him and think it makes me a better person. Together we found Tranquil Space when it was in a little church on 16th street. I love the attention to detail at Tranquil Space — the aromatherapy, tea and cookies (my personal favorite), the sense of community among Tranquil Space students and teachers, the little quotes sprinkled throughout the studio. Kimberly's attention to detail inspires me to appreciate the details in my own life.

Some of my favorite memories are taking the Saturday Tranquil Space class with Stephan and then, after class, blissfully wandering around the city on foot to see where the day may take us. We now do the prenatal class together, which has also been a truly rewarding experience. Anne encourages me to find a balance between pushing myself just enough and respecting the abilities of my body in its pregnant state.

We are both grateful for everything the whole Tranquil Space crew has done for us and the community (& hope to carry its benefits into the world).

tranquiliTeam player of the month
caroline green

I'm so grateful to have encountered yoga . . . a passion of practice I will continue indefinitely. It gives me so much pleasure as it heals my body and mind. I sought it during an extremely trying time personally, and the practice allowed me get through a time when it seemed impossible to keep grounded. It was then, about four years ago, that I met Kimberly. She hooked me with the inclusion of music. I'm a huge fan of world music and listening to her gentle voice in combination with sounds of the world was a constant reminder that the world was and is so much bigger than my own issues . . . just keep breathing . . . vinyasa yoga. I felt grateful to have personal attention in getting my asanas accurate thus attaining maximum benefit out of the practice. Thank you, Kimberly!

I'm fortunate to have Tranquil Space studio as part of my "world". It's an inviting atmosphere with a warm sense of community, a place that leave no room for "sore thumbs" to stick out. Tranquil Space is my refuge . . . a place that brings me down to Earth when there's a whirlwind outside! The folks I work with are angels, every last one of them. Working at Tranquil Space is an absolute pleasure. How could I not want to be a part of it? And hey, I never win anything . . . so THANK YOU!

tranquiliT boutique
yoga clothing and accessories

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 silk eyepillow, available in black, eggplant and teal! As a continuing benefit of our Charity Community, a portion of the tranquiliT proceeds are donated to My Sister's Place - an organization committed to eradicating domestic violence.

reflective closing thoughts

The Art of Letting Go
by Danielle Polen
All of us, at one point or another during our practice of yoga, have probably dismissed a teacher's suggestion that we turn our focus inward, only to find ourselves subsequently distracted by external stimuli--our neighbor's mat, placed just inches away from ours, the latecomer who enters class noisily, the person whose asanas appear much more akin to the pictures in Yoga Journal than do ours. However, by letting go of our external focus and drawing our attention inward, we bring our focus to the sensations in our own mind and body, thus using our physical practice of yoga as a vehicle for self-reflection and growth.

The Indian sage Patanjali, who first documented the science of yoga in his treatise, the Yoga Sutras, described an "eight-limbed path" in which the asanas, or physical postures, comprise only one limb. Among the remaining seven limbs, pratyahara, or "withdrawal of the senses," comes to mind when reflecting upon my rush hour experience. With the practice of pratyahara, we seek to develop the tranquil space within us by stilling the senses and withdrawing them from the stimulation of the outside world. A passage from the late Sri Swami Satchidananda's commentary on Sutra II-54 is instructive in this regard: "The senses are like a mirror. Turned inward, they reflect the pure light. By themselves, the senses are innocent, but when allowed to turn outside they attract everything and transfer those messages to the mind, making it restless. Turned inward, they find peace by taking the form of the mind itself."

When we as students come into the yoga studio after a hectic day, only to find a full class with space at a premium, the same tendency of reacting to our surroundings can arise. We might catch ourselves becoming agitated at the proximity of our neighbor's mat, not to mention the proximity of his or her limbs, or we might feel disappointed that the teacher's attention is divided among so many students. Yet these same challenges can provide enormous opportunities for growth in our practice.

In our urban environment, there will always be someone or something encroaching upon "our space," just as in our busy studio there will likely be days when someone else's mat is abutting ours. So why not take a mental step back, smile, make a new friend, and then draw your attention inward. With so much of our lives taken up with competing, performing, producing, interacting, it can be a truly liberating experience to allow oneself the luxury of focusing inward and moving from a place of stillness.

Moreover, by drawing our attention inward, we are less likely to focus on external and irrelevant benchmarks, such as how high our neighbor's leg might be as compared to ours, or how much more gracefully she performs chattaranga. Free from those distractions, we can use the asanas as they were meant to be used--as tools for deeper self-reflection--rather than viewing them as purely physical movements to be mimicked and/or mastered. Thus, by practicing the art of letting go, we not only reap the benefits of a deeper practice, we also bring a sense of peace and tranquility into our everyday lives.

Danielle Polen