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Thursday, April 29, 2010

2010 summer teacher training level 1

tranquil space will be offering our level 1 training again this june.

carol collins and other tranquil space teachers will offer a training designed for students interested in teaching beginning to intermediate students, exploring vinyasa yoga or simply deepening their own practice. our level 1 is an introductory yoga teacher training that is a prerequisite for our 200-hour yoga alliance approved level 2 certification. this introductory intensive will provide you with a strong foundation to practice, observe, and teach.

the training is offered over three weekends with class times on friday evenings and saturday afternoon and evenings so that it fits in with most work schedules.

if you have questions about the training feel free to email jo@tranquilspace.com or give the studio a call!

tranquil space is also planning to offer a 2nd 200 hour teacher training this fall! details coming soon.

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posted by jo ann @ 12:30 PM  0 Comments

tranquil space in crave dc

check out kimberly's recent write up in crave dc.

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posted by jo ann @ 11:18 AM  0 Comments

sundays and new faces in the spa

the spa has additional availability on sundays! we welcome our newest additions to the massage team with amy detgen and konomi kaji. bios follow below. welcome amy and konomi!

amy detgen is a licensed and nationally certified massage therapist specializing in swedish and deep tissue massage. she graduated from potomac massage training institute in 2007. she became interested in massage through her fascination with the mind-body connection and enjoys being able to work together with clients to help them find relaxation. through both her yoga practice and experience as a marathon runner, she is familiar with the physical challenges active people often face and is interested in helping clients improve muscle tightness, prevent injuries and repair tissue damage. she likes to incorporate stretching in her work and tailors every session to meet the client’s needs.

amy also has a masters in public administration and has been working in the field of education research for more than 10 years.

konomi kaji is a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist and graduated from potomac massage training institute's 18-month program. she received 600 hours of comprehensive academic education including anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiolgy and extensive swedish and deep tissue massage training. konomi specializes in swedish, deep tissue and hot stone massage, and deeply respects the healing power of touch and massage to help relax, distress and work toward an inner balance of the body. she is fluent in japanese.

*******

siobhan troy-carranza takes the reins of the spa may 22! for spa-related questions, inquiries, concerns, comments or suggestions, siobhan can be contacted at siobhan@tranquilspace.com.

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posted by jo ann @ 11:09 AM  0 Comments

may workshops at tranquil space

join us this month for one of our special workshop offerings. we have a lot of going on in may to keep you moving and some workshops on self care, ayurveda and more to give you some tools to take yoga off the mat.



also join us at the arlington studio for:

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posted by jo ann @ 10:34 AM  0 Comments

team player of the month - brooke hafner

the winds of change are blowing for me this month.
i like to imagine it will be like a nice breeze, but knowing me, it will be more like a hurricane, leaving me looking like a crazy woman.

ah, well.

at the month's end i will be packing up and heading north to baltimore, where i hope to begin the furtherance of my education. at the moment i am looking at a masters in herbal medicine, or perhaps a naturopathic medicine program. i will be leaving the position of spa manager in the capable hands of ms. siobhan troy-carranza, but will continue to offer massage on fridays. i am excited for the transition, and glad that i can keep a toe in the ts community for a little while longer.

so while i will continue to see many of you on and off the mat and the massage table, just in case we miss each other in the ebb and flow, i have some gratitude to send to everyone:

thanks for being part of the glue that has held me together these past couple of years. thank you for smiles, jokes, non-sequiturs and compliments, for helping find my keys, and for keeping an eye on my son. thank you for cups of coffee, chocolate in the morning, sage advice, bear hugs and sweet emails, for nurturing massages and treatments, and for fantastic classes. thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity.
thanks for the love, and thanks for laughing with (and often at) me. that's always my favorite :)

xo
brooke

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posted by tranquil space @ 10:21 AM  0 Comments

tranquilology: inspiration in the everyday

"an authentic life is the most personal form of worship.

Inspiration (and tranquility) can be found in our every day if we’ll only slow down a bit to savor it. Ponder letting your life be an ongoing prayer - similar to vinyasa which I love to think of as a moving meditation.

When I am seeking a dose of inspiration sprinkled creativity, I will gravitate toward creating a collage. This image above is of two file folders I covered with images that appealed – yoga, style, color, yummy food, Paris, and simple pleasures. Taking the time to nurture my creative spirit always puts a skip into my step and beckons me to dream.

Where do you find inspiration? How can it become a regular part of your routine so that you can find a little more tranquility during your busy day? Does your lifestyle reflect authenticity? Here is a non-exhaustive list of ways I like to find inspiration:

Farmer’s markets
Flower stands
Browsing the travel section
Sipping tea
Reading the Sunday paper
Curling up with a beloved 4-legged friend
Walking through the woods
Donning a beloved accessory
Strolling through a museum
Volunteering
Brainstorming
Penning a blog post
People watching at a sidewalk cafe
Mind mapping
Lighting a candle
Doing sun salutations
Choosing groceries
Writing in my journal
Listening to live music

Inspiration surrounds us in colors, scents, and special touches. Infuse your home with a bouquet of yellow tulips. Frame a favorite postcard and display it in your office. Light lavender incense. Add edible flowers such as pansies to tonight’s salad. Consider taking a day trip to New York City to frolick in central park, eat raw food, and get your yoga on.

Let your imagination be your guide as you explore your authentic life as a form of worship. Inspiration abounds, if only you will take a moment to bask in it.

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posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:22 AM  0 Comments

doga fundraiser for humane society THIS saturday

6th annual doga in the park THIS saturday: 11-12:30.

yoga + do-gooding + dogs = doga event to raise money for washington humane society (whs). bring your yoga mat and your canine yogi (bring your own, borrow one, or come alone) for an afternoon of frolicking at rose park (23rd and p st., nw).

tranquil space is teaming up with one of our ongoing charities, whs, and doggie style bakery to create an afternoon of fun focused around your four-legged best friends. whs's adoption van will be there to help spread the word on adopting one of their beloved animals and how to get involved with their work. kimberly will lead puppy parents and friends through a complimentary yoga practice for all-levels in the park.

treats will be provided to humans and canines! $10 donation requested for whs. no pre-registration required. just drop by and bring your yoga mat. read more: doga made nbc news. here are pics from last year's doga fundraiser.

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posted by kimberly wilson @ 8:53 AM  0 Comments

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

teacher feature - dave kidney

favorite and least favorite yoga poses?

great question! i think my favorite and 'yeah, not so much' poses happen to be the same - utthita hasta padangustasana (big toe stretch). for the longest time, i believed i was genetically forbidden to find the simultaneous length, openness, and balance for any semblance of this pose. recently, kevin and darren main assisted me into it during a workshop, and my yogic worldview was rocked! i felt so powerful when i realized it wasn't necessarily out of my reach. of course, i have a difficult time without a deep assist, but i love the challenge of core strength, muscle release, balance, and breath that frame the pose, and how it forces me to focus. i also think it's a truly beautiful, elegant expression of energy and grace.

how do i take my practice off the mat?

taking the practice off the mat can be a tall order for a notoriously hotheaded ginger like me. the challenge of yoga is learning to simply work with what is happening at the moment. good life lesson. i recently left a challenging job and work environment for grad school, and my practice has grounded me through the transitions. if you ask the people around me now, i tend to talk a lot about energy and intention, and learning to work with conflict that arises from change. i think my practice asks me to reconsider saying or doing things i will regret later. am i acting with meaning? what will this look like a year from now? do i recognize that my words might hurt someone else?

my practice teaches me to find joy in the small victories, and gives me the courage to tackle some of the scarier, bigger things in my life.

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posted by tranquil space @ 1:49 PM  0 Comments

yogi of the month - mary catherine starr

when i moved to washington, dc last august, one of my first “to-dos” was to find a yoga studio. three days after arriving i visited tranquil space, and i haven’t looked back since! from the day that i walked into the dupont studio, i have felt welcomed, nurtured, and cared for by the tranquil space community. since then, tranquil space has become a calm getaway and a refuge for me—it has become my home-away-from-home in a new city. after becoming a member and going through tt1 and tt2 at tranquil space, i can’t think of another place that has taught me as much about myself, my practice, teaching yoga, and taking yoga “off of the mat” as tranquil space has during the 8 months that i have been taking classes here. i don’t know how i would have made this difficult life transition without tranquil space, but am so thankful that the studio’s community has been here for me while i have adjusted. thank you, tranquil space! i am honored to be yogi of the month at a place that means so much to me :) namaste!

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posted by tranquil space @ 12:45 PM  0 Comments

accessorize for spring



ladies, are you looking for a fashionable way to carry items to and from practice? are you in need of a great bag for the spring season? look no further than papaya's luxe tote. this oilcloth bag comes in several designs, features a magnetic closure, inside pockets and large shoulder straps.

bring color and pizzazz to your wardrobe with a fair trade scarf. choose from gauzy organic cotton in solid, tri-tone or silk with sequins.

keep in touch with mom and other loved ones with an envelope set. write a message on the colorful 5x7 scalloped edged notecards and make someone happy by sending good old fashioned mail. stamps not included. these would also make perfect mother's day gifts.

write down your thoughts and goals in a beautiful journal from one of our favorite brands, papaya. if you need to stay within the lines, check out the smaller journal that has lined and unlined pages. if you like to doodle or color outside the lines, the large journal may be your cup of tea.

to see the items mentioned here before coming into the studio, watch our new boutique spotlight video. we plan on filming more videos in the future, so keep your eyes glued to this station.

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posted by marq few @ 12:20 PM  0 Comments

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

asana of the month - bakasana

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.

yoga teacher and blogger kelly golden writes the following about bakasana:

traditionally birds like the crane and the crow were thought to be messengers from the gods. when the first dalai lama was born, it was said that he was visited by black crows. and through the ability to fly, these birds transcend the heaviness of a mortal existence and live in the expanse between this finite world and the next. cranes are symbols of loyalty and communication, and in many traditions are thought to bridge the gap between the earth and the heavens.

whether you know bakasana as the crane or the crow, its effect is one of transcendence. rising above our perceived limitations and taking off in flight. bakasana is a pose that requires strength and focus and the ability to trust. the initial approach to this asana is often one of trepidation. just like a baby bird that has all of the tools for flight, but doubts their strength and ability, bakasana can often bring up doubts and fears. “what if i fall flat on my face? what if i’m not strong enough to hold myself?”

but, just like that baby bird, we cautiously approach our flight. first engaging our core of support in the belly and shifting our weight into our hands with our feet still planted on the ground. we breathe and we begin to trust ourselves. this act of trust prepares us to become more open to take a chance, so we gingerly lift one foot off the ground, balancing on our remaining toes, and we feel. again we return to the breath and our expanding feeling of trust and strength and “lift off.” maybe for only a moment or maybe for a series of breaths, we fly. we transcend the limits we have placed on ourselves, and we connect with something much higher, much freer.”




bakasana (crane or crow pose):
baka = crane

benefits [cited in yogajournal.com]:
• strengthens the arms and wrists
• stretches the upper back
• strengthens the abdominal muscles
• tones the abdominal organs
• opens the groins

cautions/contraindications:
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• pregnancy

preparatory poses:
• adho mukha svanasana (downward-facing dog)
• baddha konasana (bound angle or cobbler’s pose)
• balasana (child’s pose)
• plank pose
• virasana (hero’s pose)

song that most comes to mind after having fallen out of the posture multiple times:
"rudolph the red-nosed reindeer."


---------------------------------
asana girl, aka danielle polen, is a tranquil space yoga teacher.

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posted by Tim Mooney @ 7:59 PM  0 Comments

Monday, April 26, 2010

treat your feet

you're on your feet all day at work.
you're a runner.
you're a parent.
you walk everywhere.
whether any of these pertain to you or not, who couldn't use a good foot soak? this little self-care gem is a cinch! all you need is a tub, sink or basin, and a few simple ingredients to give your feet some much-needed pampering.

stimulating foot soak:
1 cup epsom salts
2 cups brewed coffee
fill basin with enough water to cover the ankles (water should be as warm as you can tolerate)
soak 15-20 minutes, towel off, and moisturize
***bonus: save coffee grounds to use as a foot scrub after your soak

detoxifying foot soak:
1/4 c grated ginger
1 c epsom salts
1 bag peppermint tea, 1 bag chamomile tea
fill basin with enough water to cover the ankles (water should be as warm as you can tolerate)
soak 15-20 minutes, towel off, and moisturize

antibacterial foot soak:
2 tablespoons raw honey
4 drops tea tree oil
2 drops eucalyptus oil
fill basin with enough water to cover the ankles (water should be as warm as you can tolerate)
soak 15-20 minutes, towel off, and let fee air dry completely

moisturizing foot soak:
5 drops lavender oil
2 tsp almond, apricot seed, or sesame oil
1 Tbsp raw honey
fill basin with enough water to cover the ankles (water should be as warm as you can tolerate)
soak 15-20 minutes, towel off, and moisturize
***feet and basin will be slick after this soak. be sure to pat the feet dry completely, and take care when walking around. scrub and dry basin after use.

other hints to enhance your soaks:
~put marbles in the bottom of the basin to massage sore feet
~other essential oils to try: chamomile, rose, jasmine, neroli (note: avoid citrus oils. they can irritate and cause redness of the skin)
~loose teas can be used in soaks, but make for messier clean-up

posted by brooke hafner @ 2:57 PM  0 Comments

Thursday, April 22, 2010

karma kids yoga comes to ts

tranquil space is once again hosting karma kids yoga teacher training this summer. this is a fun training for yoga teachers, school teachers, and anyone who loves working with children.  the training runs june 25 - june 27 at our dupont location.  get more info and sign up here.

teacher training certification will cover:
•the benefits of yoga for children
• child-friendly yoga poses, games, themes, stories, breathing and relaxation exercises and visualization techniques - over 350 poses and games!
• partner and group yoga poses and yoga games, for kids and families
• creative ways to help build confidence, trust, teamwork, focus, concentration, and a sense of calm to get kids to relax and develop self-control
• developing a yoga class that is fun, safe, effective and engaging for toddlers through teens
• incorporating props, music, art, stories, and age-appropriate themes into children's yoga classes, birthday parties, and special events
• teaching with confidence and creativity, patience and acceptance, with an open heart and an open mind
• balancing the need for structure and freedom within each class
• harnessing the energy in the room and being in the moment
• tips for teaching yoga to children that support a fair, non-competitive environment
• tools for dealing with restlessness and behavior challenges in a class
• developmental considerations and cautions for toddlers through teens; understanding where they are in their lives
• how to successfully encourage and talk to children; how to communicate and inspire
• how to give positive and constructive feedback
• an opportunity to develop and present your own yoga class incorporating your own creative ideas
• how to monitor kid trends
• bringing out the child within you and having fun!

experience our interactive yoga asanas, yoga with songs, art, stories, games, musical instruments, puppets, visualization and relaxation techniques for a successful children’s yoga class. over 350 yoga poses and games!

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posted by jo ann @ 1:45 PM  0 Comments

Friday, April 16, 2010

AIDS walk reduced rates extended


join the tranquil space team for the aids walk! the reduced rate has been extended. registration rates through april remain: $5 student/senior walk registration, $15 general walk registration, $25 timed run registration and $30 sleepwalker registration. you can register and join the ts team at this link.

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posted by jo ann @ 12:18 PM  0 Comments

Thursday, April 15, 2010

dc yoga week

please join us at tranquil space for dc yoga week, which will take place between saturday, may 15-22. enjoy a free yoga class and daily $5 yoga classes and 10% off boutique purchases all week. this year is the fifth anniversary of dc yoga week, and we are kicking off with some great celebrations at yoga on the mall (yotm) on saturday, may 15, from 1-5pm, including a special appearance by shiva rea. bring friends and family (kids welcome!), along with a yoga mat and a picnic.  enjoy a free collective outdoor yoga practice featuring shiva, participating dc yoga week teachers and live music, acro-yogis and more on the grounds of the national mall. for more information, and to register for updates about dc yoga week and yoga on the mall, visit www.dcyogaweek.com.

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posted by jo ann @ 2:24 PM  0 Comments

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

lunafest

tranquil space foundation (tsf) will be hosting lunafest dc on thursday, april 22nd at steptoe and johnson in dupont. if you haven't seen the trailers, check out our website. lunafest is one of the two annual fundraising opportunities for tsf and we need to maximize our opportunities to raise funds, awareness and support. the evening will begin with a reception at 6:30pm and the films will be shown at 7:00 after we honor our spring 2010 grantees.

tickets are $30 in advance (buy online here) and $35 at the door.

all of the proceeds from lunafestdc will go to tsf and the breast cancer research fund. tsf's mission is to empower young women find their inner voice through yoga, creativity and leadership. this will be an inspirational night on many fronts - from the films to the grantees to the mission behind all of our work.


we hope you'll join us for lunafestdc to celebrate the amazing creative power of women and to support two fantastic causes. please share this with others that might enjoy this event. look forward to seeing you on the 22nd!

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posted by jo ann @ 10:57 AM  0 Comments

Monday, April 12, 2010

self-care week: more than coming into the spa

april 12-18 the spa presents self-care week, offering the community an opportunity to visit our spa and try out our services at a discount. but self care isn't limited to a visit to the spa, and most of us, with our crazy schedules, could use some more pampering in our lives. here are some non-spa things you can do on your own to add a little self-care to your everyday schedule:

30 minutes: find a way to add 30 minutes of extra "you" time to your day. you deserve to make more time in your day to breathe, so whether you set your alarm 30 minutes early to allow your morning to unfold a little slower or to enjoy some quiet time before the bustle of the day is in full swing, or you divide it up throughout the day (a few minutes onto your lunch break, a few onto your run, and a few to linger over dinner)--take some more time (it's there!) to enjoy.

get outside: true, too much sun is not good, but no sun and no fresh air is not ideal either, especially this time of year! can you take a quick walk or enjoy your lunch or morning coffee/tea outside? can you sip that glass of wine or lemonade with the kids on the porch? hey, the mosquitoes have yet to arrive...lounge while you can!

drink water! this is the simplest way to pamper your body: everything functions at a greater level when the body is hydrated. You know the process a grape goes through to become a raisin? the same thing happens to organs and tissue when you are dehydrated. gross. drink up!

pick up a tennis ball: this is a very helpful tool between massages, no matter how great that amount of time may be. roll the ball under the arch of your foot, lean against it on a wall and roll it up and down in the space between your shoulder blades and your vertebral column to ease upper back stress, or sit on it, positioning it on the glutes or around the sacrum for combating hip pain.

posted by brooke hafner @ 9:53 AM  0 Comments

Friday, April 9, 2010

do-gooding opportunities




1. Our non-profit, Tranquil Space Foundation, is hosting Lunafest on Thursday, April 22nd at Steptoe and Johnson in Dupont. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30pm and the films will be shown at 7:00 after we honor our Spring 2010 grantees. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include the wine and cheese reception PLUS yummy popcorn. Yay!

All of the proceeds from LunafestDC will go to TSF and the Breast Cancer Research Fund. This will be an inspirational night on many fronts - from the films to the grantees to the mission behind all of our work - helping young women to find their inner voice through yoga, creativity and leadership. Purchase tickets here.

2. One of our teachers, Abby Strunk, is the ED at Street Sense and recently shared these openings so I offered to pass along. This great organization is looking for 3-5 committed volunteers to manage our office and distribute papers to our vendors and three rock star interns for the summer: a marketing & communications intern, a graphic design intern and a development intern. Each position provides an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to Street Sense and to the work we’re doing to address the challenges of homelessness. Please visit here to learn more about each position.

3. Consider joining the Tranquil Space team for the Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls on April 18. Right now we are the #1 fundraising team in the COUNTRY for this crucial cause - and we need your help to stay there!

Participate in the walk with the Tranquil Space team, make a tax-deductible donation, or reach out to your elected representatives to encourage them to support the pendiong I-VAWA legislation. You can register, donate, or find out more info about any of these action steps on my Firstgiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/allisonasplin. The walk starts in Arlington and ends in Dupont Circle - what a great symbol of connection between our two studios!

4. This Sunday I'm leading a slow flow class from 6-7:15 at our Dupont location as part of our "Second Sundays" dedicated to raising money for charities. The requested donation is $15 to Tranquil Space Foundation. Please come out to support the cause and begin your week with an intentional start! Sign up at tranquilspace.com.

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posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:45 AM  0 Comments

Thursday, April 8, 2010

teacher spotted in baby and me yoga

recently caroline returned to ts for a little baby and me yoga with her adorable new addition.

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posted by jo ann @ 12:52 PM  1 Comments

Thursday, April 1, 2010

studio updates

the sun is shining and the temperature rising as we hit april. i finally can feel the last snowmageddon icicles in my bones melting away. in celebration of spring tranquil space has some new classes! in dupont we have added a yoga 3 on thursdays at 8pm. out in our arlington location we now have a yoga 2 monday at 7pm and have added a new on-the-go at 8:30pm. see the full schedule here.

this month you can join our nonprofit, tranquil space foundation, at lunafest on april 22. lunafest is a national traveling festival of short films by, for, and about women.

for studio comfort we have added some additional shelving and coat hooks with even more on the way! there is also now a hair dryer in the women's changing room and we have more mat storage for members.
a heartfelt thank you for the overwhelming response to our studio survey. here is our summary of it all.

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posted by jo ann @ 1:18 PM  0 Comments

april musings a' la kimberly: lessons off the mat

"no matter how cold the winter, spring is sure to follow." - proverb

life is full of lessons. some welcomed. some not-so-welcomed. i've been "blessed" with an interesting one of my own this past week: shoulder surgery! in december 2008 i began having a tweak in my shoulder, but carried on assuming it would pass. finally, growing frustrated, i headed to an ortho last summer, began physical therapy, and even got a cortisone injection. ouch! feeling pain i returned this year for an MRI and they found a bone spur which would require surgery. got it scheduled and was wheeled in donning blue attire last thursday. whew, what a week!

my normal modus operandi has been turned upside down. of course when i got home from surgery i was still numb so i whipped out my laptop, carried flowers, candles, and incense into the bedroom, and feel into my old patterns. as the numbness wore off, i was a mess. couldn't move, get comfortable, eat, or e-mail! my excitement over being able to rest for a few days was slowly wearing off and reality was setting in. this surgery was a big deal. not only did he remove the bone spur, but he found the dreaded rotator cuff tear that means months of healing versus weeks! uh oh. looks like i'll be sans chaturanga for awhile.

this past week has been full of lessons and it felt apropos to share these in my april muse. patterns are hard to break. pema chodren sums this up beautifully in wisdom of no escape where she writes that the same old demons (lessons) will continue to show up until we learn the lessons they came to teach us. hmmmm.

over the past decade i've become addicted to rushing from meeting to meeting, being accessible via email at all times (cut off the cell phone addiction a few years ago - yay!), overscheduling, wanting a quick fix (i'm the one in meditation workshops asking, "so what is the perfect formula?"), and juggling multiple projects and deadlines at once. is this surgery going to stop this addiction? i don't know the answer to that one, but i will share that it has forced me to slow down substantially. for most of this week i've been handling e-mails, shipping online TranquiliT orders, and doing day-to-day tasks with my non-dominant hand. clearly, that slows down the process.

i've been savoring the *most* phenomenal book over the past month called the not so big life and i can't recommend it highly enough. the premise of the book is to slow down, savor, single task, and still get things down. written from a zen perspective, it is the perfect off the yoga mat book! this book plus my surgery is sure to instill some change.

as spring blossoms around us, i, too, hope to bloom in a new way. due to my MSW class schedule, my teaching schedule will shift this summer into the following year. i've held tight to my classes, even teaching on my birthday or getting back in town early to teach. life has a way of shaking things up so we don't get comfortable. this change coupled with my forced slowing down, healing and recovery process, and dedication to living "the not so big life" is sure to have an impact. i look forward to sharing the journey with you on my blog, tranquility du jour, and through my monthly musings here.

may this new month and fresh season offer you, too, a chance to reflect on patterns that feel out of sync. how can you bring more mindfulness into your every day? what is calling for attention deep within? listen intently or it may come forth without a pretty bow tied around it (ex. forced slowing down due to surgery). life is full of lessons and discoveries. if only we'll listen. sip tea. take a walk. do legs up the wall. write in your journal. bask in being.

your soul with thank you.

p.s. a *BIG* thank you for responding to the studio survey we recently sent out. here is our summary of it all.

namaste,
kimberly


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posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:37 AM  4 Comments

tranquil space student survey results

bonjour fellow yogis,

the studio began as a seedling in the living room of my 4th floor walk-up in 1999 and has grown into a haven for washingtonians over the past decade. as we grow, we strive to offer the key components that were oh-so-important in the early days: community; a nurturing environment; connection to all senses through music, tea and cookies, assists, and the smell of lavender; social consciousness; and, of course, amazing yoga. it's always good to take a walk down tranquilosophy lane as a reminder.

as most of you know, we launched a survey earlier this year and had an overwhelming response rate: 680 responses! we received a ton of valuable feedback and i wanted to share some highlights and actions that we’re taking so that you can have your most tranquil experience at tranquil space. as promised, we randomly chose 5 responders who received a free month of yoga and they are: nina bhambri, colleen allen, amelia cohn, chris carter, and ted moskovitz. congratulations!

about 2/3 of the survey respondents had heart-warming kudos to share. many commented that they love the studio set up, additional boutique offerings, tea lounge and talented team. yogis that have been with tranquil space before the move to 17th street shared that they love the studio's increased amount of space, changing rooms, and member mat storage. yay!

survey respondents identified two categories for tranquil space improvement: cost of classes and class capacity. we always look to compare our prices with other studios in the area to ensure our classes are reasonably priced. considering our large operational costs due to expansion to the 17th street studio coupled with the local market value of yoga classes, our rates are comparable, and in several cases lower, than other studios in the tranquil space neighborhoods. in addition, we offer regular donation-based charity classes on the second sunday of every month, a $5 on-the-go class tuesdays at 8:45, a work-study program, and membership for $125/month (a little math: membership costs the same as dropping in 7 times, but gets you unlimited yoga and also comes with great benefits).

some classes are consistently full, however half of our class offerings are well below maximum capacity, leaving yogis with oodles of elbow room. at a recent team meeting we discussed the possibility of reducing class sizes. the consensus was that would lead to turning away more drop-in yogis, and that may be more upsetting overall to the community than the current class capacities. we would love to hear additional thoughts from you on that concern.

to address these two concerns coupled with the feedback we've been receiving in the newbie monthly surveys about customer service, we are applying many of your suggestions:
  • a website redesign is in the works
  • merger of multiple facebook groups into a single facebook fan page
  • adding more coat hooks/shelving in the ladies' dressing room
  • assistants in as many classes as possible
  • more classes including another yoga 3 in dupont and yoga 2 in arlington
  • diversified workshops and events
  • looking at ways to make the sign in process most tranquil
  • opening up space in the tea bar
  • assistants to welcome and help newbies get situated in our oasis
  • revamping the coat/shoe area outside of the earth studio (including a new hanging rack coming soon)
  • improving online spa information and appointment booking
  • adding more offerings to the spa (we now have psychotherapy and a naturopathic doctor)
  • improving the boutique at the arlington studio, including arlington-specific items
  • adding more items for men in the boutiques, and
  • adding more content to the blog and making it easier to use and navigate.
whew! that's not even everything on our to-do list - we're working on a lot more, thanks to your observations and feedback. we truly appreciate the time each of you took to share your comments with us. we hope that the changes we make will allow you to have a more tranquil experience both on and off the mat!

if you have additional suggestions, i *love* hearing them and you can always share them at mytranquilspaceidea.com. in addition, i am pulling together a small client advisory board to mingle over tea and discuss ways to enhance your tranquil space experience a couple times each year. if interested in joining us for an inaugural gathering in may or june, email me and i'll keep you in the loop.

in the interim, thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting all things tranquil. it is truly a treat to serve you.

namaste,
kimberly wilson

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posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:11 AM  0 Comments

april workshops

tranquil space has a lot of offer for april!  check out the workshops below and remember that tranquility bootcamp happens next week.  monday through friday early risers can enjoy a 7:00 - 8:15am class.

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posted by jo ann @ 10:00 AM  0 Comments