secret revealed: a new tranquil space is being "tranquilized"

“the greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. the oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. dreams are the seedlings of realities.”

– james allen

happy almost 2008! a new year, a new tranquil space. i wanted to share the story of tranquil space along with some very exciting news. as you may know, tranquil space began over eight years ago in my one-bedroom apartment on 16th street. there was little to no yoga to be found in dc. i was working as a paralegal, reading the artist’s way, seeking a more creative way of life, and longing for kindred spirits. with visions of special souls huddled around my fireplace, drinking tea, doing yoga and connecting, i hung fliers around dupont and invited strangers into my home. with a psychology degree and no clue about business, i reveled in focus on the special details: ribbons wrapped around inspirational quotes which greeted the students on their mat, aromatic scents, a blazing fire, chai served in porcelain tea cups, homemade business cards and brochures.

we have grown over the years and i am constantly amazed by the sacred souls i’ve met which would never have happened had i not hung up that first neighborhood flier. my hope is that tranquil space serves as an inspiration to anyone who enters its doors. it was created with a whole lot of love, an incredible amount of time, energy and passion, and lots of baby steps. none of which could have been done without the amazing team of people who have worked at the studio over the years.

i am very excited to share that this spring we will open our doors at 17th and r in a newly renovated and eco-fabulous tranquil space. it’s been hard to keep this to myself as i’m bursting at the seams with delight. after planting the seeds in my living room on 16th street in 1999, offering classes in a church parlor for almost three years at 16th and q, and then moving to our current location on p street, i am honored to be returning to our neighborhood roots after over a year of searching for the perfect new tranquil space.

your new yoga home will house three yoga studios, a wifi tea bar serving organic and fair trade teas, an expanded tranquility boutique, and a specialty spa like no other. when i signed the dotted line, there were pigeons living in the space. it has taken a lot of vision to see the possibility amidst the leaking roof, sunlight peeping through neglected bricks, and roots growing within the water lines of this 3-story building. as the space gets framed and we receive permits, buy reused fixtures, design the layout, and choose the eco-friendly flooring, it’s slowly taking shape. incorporating the tea bar seemed like the perfect way to offer a mingling off the mat post-practice space, along with providing yummy antioxidants.

may 2008 offer you time to reflect on your vision. i believe that life is lived by stepping strategically outside of one’s comfort zone to head in the direction of one’s dreams. i recently reread, "the world needs dreamers and the world needs doers but above all the world needs dreamers who do." what are your dreams for 2008? what will you do to make them happen? listen to your heart and take the simple steps of heading in that direction one flier at a time . . . i can’t wait to practice with you in our new home when the cherry blossoms are blooming.

keep dreaming,
kimberly wilson