as many of you know, i am expecting my first baby any time now. it is a very exciting time for us, but there is also the human side — wondering whether we will be good parents, what she will look like, and what labor will be like. my husband is my calming factor, though i do know that he is just as anxious, excited, and scared as i am. one thing that i work to remind myself is not to have any expectations of myself or my husband. as for labor, i want to keep an open mind. of course, i have ideas of what i would like to be able to do, but know from yoga that i have to take it one moment at a time. if i set up a lot of expectations for myself or my husband, i am bound to be disappointed or frustrated at some point. if i am wound up in my frustration then i might miss truly enjoying a very special moment. as a society we have a lot of expectations of ourselves, our families, friends, and, in this election season, even our politicians. i don't mean to imply that all expectations are bad, but working toward a goal with realistic markers is one thing. we should work toward being better humans, but we get into trouble when we focus so much on where we want to go that we miss where we are right now in this moment. my first yoga 2 class was with kimberly wilson five years ago at the church that tranquil space called home. yoga had already surprised me a great deal, so i expected to be challenged (i still remember my arms shaking away in my first several downward facing dogs in my very first class), but i went in and told myself to keep an open mind. i was very athletic as a soccer kid and a varsity swimmer in high school, and yoga made me realize that i won't be able to do everything i set out to do, or at least not do it on the first, or even the 20th, try. that class was very invigorating for me, but also made me see that this yoga thing had a lot going for it. i encountered that yet again when i attended my first yoga 3, once again with kimberly. i thought she was crazy a few times with the poses we did, but i loved how yoga once again surprised me. our bodies are incredible vehicles for us, and each time i step on the mat i really try to notice what is happening inside of my vehicle. pregnancy has made me even more aware of how capable our bodies are as long as we respect them and ourselves. the other key is to honor where you are at that moment. The picture above of me is when i was 36 weeks (9 months) and thought i would have a memento for my daughter of what her crazy mom was able to do while very pregnant. there are many things that my body is not able to do right now and i have peace with that because i know that in a couple of months i will discover my body again in a new and different way, which will give me a new perspective and hopefully assist me in my growth as a human, wife, mother, teacher, and friend.
in the spirit of this month there will be a charity class on thanksgiving day, so please join marianne at 10:00 a.m. for a free class for all levels. we will collect donations to benefit bethesda cares — a local group that feeds the homeless throughout the year.
my favorite part of every class is chanting the sound of "om." i love the merging of many voices into one. i imagine the sound of the universe swirling above my head, each individual sound combining to form a cosmic harmony. it is said that everything is connected, but that our egos create a false perception of separateness. yogic philosopher darren john main makes the analogy that we are all like individual waves, not perceiving that we are actually part of a vast ocean. in that moment of communal sound, i get a small taste of the interconnectedness of the universe. singing has always been one of my great loves. a wonderful discovery in my yoga practice occurred when i realized that singing was also an expression of yoga. this discovery was an act of yoga in itself. the word yoga means "to yoke" or "unite." this realization united my passion for music with my asana practice. just as the asanas create change in our body, mind, and spirit, the power of sound and music has the same effects. music has the power to change our moods, our heart rate, and our perspective. there is a neuromuscular connection between our mouths and the tension of our muscles. when we allow the mouth to relax, as it does when engaged in song, our muscles are able to release as well. the sound of "om" creates a sense of grounding in the body, and the repetition of the single sound "om" clears space in the mind, enabling us to return attention to the present moment. each day, i sing the words om namaha shivaya, which mean: "i honor the divine within." it's amazing how chanting this simple mantra in the car can turn a stress-filled car ride into a sanctuary of peace. the most powerful practices for me occur when i sing the gayatri mantra, a mantra for enlightenment, while flowing through my asana practice. the sacred sound transforms the poses from merely stretching and strengthening my body into a dance with the divine. i am able to let go of my thinking, analytical mind, and allow the movements to flow from within. i am grateful to my students for giving me the opportunity to share in the sound of om at the end of every class. through my teaching, i hope to encourage my students to connect to their spirit in whatever way speaks (or sings!) to them.
clothing, accessories, and specialties to enrich your life on and off the mat
tranquil space's own line of yoga clothing and accessories, tranquiliT, is designed for the style-conscious yogini and has been featured in daily candy, shape, lucky, fit yoga, the washingtonian, and the washington post. view our most recent mention in the examiner.
specials valid through december 31, 2006 bring the traveling tranquiliT boutique 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.
most services are available at tranquil space bethesda. for additional information, or to schedule an appointment, please email bethesdatreatments@tranquilspace.com. please note that to cancel an appointment and not be charged, we need 24 hours advance notice. 
© 2006 tranquil space, llc. all rights reserved. |
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blessings,
tranquiliT boutique is a fusion of fashion and passion in celebration of yogis' bodies and spirits! 
tranquiliT treatments are a delightful way to nurture your body and complement your yoga practice on and off the yoga mat. at tranquil space we believe that yoga is a lifestyle, and are pleased to offer the following services as part of our specialty spa, to help nurture your lifestyle:
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.
