Kimberly normally muses in this space, but she's currently recovering from her second (and final) surgery of the year to fix a nagging thumb joint. In the interests of sparing everyone pain medication-fueled creative writing (as entertaining as that might have been), we decided I should take the reins temporarily this month. We've got a busy September, but as always... tranquility is the watchword!

As we transition into fall this month, I'm reminded how it's always the ideal time to re-center as we leave behind the slower, dog days of summer. I love the change of pace, the cooler temperatures, and the chance to reconnect with people after many tend to scatter away from the DC area for the latter part of August. I'm happy to share some of the fun things we have to share with the Tranquil Space community in my favorite month of the year!

September marks our third anniversary in Arlington. It was quite the adventure moving and setting up the new space, and we're so happy to offer a larger space and expanded offerings to the Arlington community. If you haven't come by yet, you really should check it out. River Studio is the largest studio in the entire Tranquil Space universe, and we're slowly adding some extra touches. We have some great offerings coming to Arlington after Labor Day, including a new early morning class, plus a prenatal and restorative class. Check the Arlington schedule for more! Also, be sure to celebrate our new studio opening on Friday, September 17th. Stay tuned for more information!

We're gearing up for the launch of Advanced Teacher Training and the first fall Level 2 teacher training offering at the Dupont Circle studio... if you've ever thought about becoming a yoga teacher or deepening your practice, consider our teacher training program! Our faculty includes some of the great Tranquil Space teachers you know and love, and the groups for both ATT and TT2 are shaping up to be great!

You might have also noticed a big change at tranquilspace.com... we completely rebuilt the website from top to bottom, giving it a more modern look and better integrating the blog and other social media components. Lots more to come there too, so stay tuned!

Have a happy and healthy Labor Day weekend and stay dry... I hear there's a hurricane coming!

Labels: muse, sept10

Did you enjoy the daily blog postings during the gift fair? Now that I am settled back in to my routine and recounting my adventures, I noticed that I still have more information to share with my readers.

Labels: boutique

Each month we choose a pose to focus on in every class through strong attention to alignment, variations, and/or modifications as a way to grow and expand our yogic horizons.

Last month, we focused on twisting—an action that stimulates circulation and has a cleansing and refreshing effect on the torso organs and associated glands. This month we build upon that theme, with Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose)—a challenging standing pose (with a twist!) that reflects our intention to remain firmly grounded amidst the shifting natural world, as the seasons begin their rapid transition from summer to fall.



Los Angeles-based yoga teacher and Yoga Journal columnist Natasha Rizopoulos reminds us that "[a]n important technique to learn for twists is an even distribution of the work required. The tendency for most of us is to twist where it's easy and avoid twisting where it's not. This usually means that you will overwork the neck, which is relatively mobile, and underwork the middle and upper back, parts of the spine that in many people are about as malleable and responsive as a block of cement. When you overwork an area that is already mobile and 'open,' you make it more vulnerable to injury. However, twists like Parivrtta Trikonasana can help you bring openness and awareness to the thoracic spine, which is often lethargic. Working an area that you might normally ignore creates a perfect opportunity to observe the body and mind in relationship to practice."

Parivrtta Trikonasana should be approached with respect and patience, and only after thoroughly warming up hips, hamstrings, groins, shoulders and spine.

Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose):
Parivrtta = Revolved or turned around
Trikona = three-angle or triangle
Asana = Pose

Benefits (according to yogajournal.com):
* Strengthens and stretches the legs
* Stretches the hips and spine
* Opens the chest to improve breathing
* Relieves mild back pain
* Stimulates the abdominal organs
* Improves sense of balance

Cautions/Contraindications:
* hamstring injury
* sacroiliac issues
* back or spine injury
* neck vulnerability

Preparatory Poses:
* Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)
* Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch Pose)
* Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose)
* Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side-Angle Pose)
* Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend)

Song that Most Comes to Mind While in the Posture:
Neeraj Shridhar’s “Twist Song” from fave 2009 Bollywood film “Love Aaj Kal” (Love These Days). View the video.

Labels: sept10, yoga

I was beyond stressed, before starting at Tranquil Space last August and it all began with a seemingly simple question, what can I do to relax? A simple question I thought I could answer quickly, took me years to find and thankfully the answer found me, through my wonderful friend Gwen. She brought me to my first yoga class taught by Kimberly. After her class, I was able to answer my own question and knew that Tranquil Space truly is tranquil. It is a temple to tranquilly, which allows me to surrender and be present; two qualities I cherish and have found in classes, workshops, and teacher training. I am very grateful to be surrounded by Tranquil Space’s devoted yogi community and look forward to getting to know you all on & off the mat.

Namaste
Carolina

Labels: community, sept10, yoga

Being a part of the Tranquil Space community has changed my life. I had always been curious about yoga, but it wasn't until I regularly started practicing at the studio that I learned how transformative yoga can truly be. Not only am I more physically healthy than I've ever been, but I am also a kinder, more patient and more compassionate person. I have all the wonderful men and women who teach, work and practice at Tranquil Space to thank, and I look forward to continuing to share in the gift of yoga with this truly amazing community.

Best,
Miriam

Labels: community, sept10

As I make it to the half way point of my second pregnancy I am reminded that babies (and kids) are great teachers. They embody what we in yoga strive to achieve, being the present moment always. Babies do not focus on what happened five minutes ago let alone what occurred last week. They want your attention, to be fed, or diaper changed right now. One of my neighbor friends told me that even though she was the VP of big non-profit her daughter did not care one hoot what or who she was in the workplace; what she needed was her in that moment.

The trick is while our fast paced lives must look to the future world is to remember that this moment in time is the only one we are guaranteed to have. So as we approach the end of summer enjoy the moments of the warm sun, the butterflies, the lightening bugs, the lady bugs, and the sound of crickets. Let yourself stop to wonder at the beauty that lies in our world that we are too often rushing past.

Siobhan

Labels: community, sept10

as the summer draws to a close and we begin to get ready for the fall, tranquil space arlington is gearing up for our second month in our new hOMe! if you haven't made it over the the new space yet (and even if you have!), be sure to stop by in september for one of our many tranquil offerings...

tranquil space arlington is excited to be offering the following new classes starting 9/10:

monday 5:30pm on-the-go
tuesday 6:30am open flow
wednesday 5:30pm on-the-go
sunday 2pm baby+me
sunday 4pm prenatal
sunday 6pm restorative

view our new schedule here.
we are also offering the following workshops in september:

• yoga & meditation with katie kerstetter, sat 9/11, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• cupcakes & chakras with jodi darlage, sat 9/18, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• newbie yogi workshop with jennifer hamilton, sat 9/25, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

...and most importantly, we will be celebrating our new hOMe with a grand opening fete this month! we invite you to join us for the celebration on friday, september 17th from 7:30-9pm at 3528 wilson blvd., arlington, virginia 22201. see below for more information!

tranquil space arlington has had a blast welcoming both our loyal yogis and our newest newbies to the brand new space! thanks to all of you who have helped out over the past few months and who have made the tsa community such a welcoming, close-knit group--even as we've grown! we will continue to make small changes to the space as we settle in, and still welcome your feedback and input about how we can make the new studio feel even more like hOMe. feel free to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or feedback at arlington@tranquilspace.com.

namaste!
mary catherine

Labels: arlington, sept10