News + Events
I have been to very few cities that receive the gift of springtime as well as DC. Sure, lots of locales have great weather and look plenty beautiful when spring arrives, but DC really knows how to make a season feel welcome. Cherry blossoms burst open and fill even the most unexpected street corners with color and life. Streetside cafes with newly-opened windows bubble over with aromas, music and laughter. Commuters stroll home from the Metro, taking in all the activity. Perhaps it’s because DC can be such a serious city – some rather serious work is done here, after all – but no city seems as ready to feel the sun on our shoulders and the grass between our toes as the place we call home.
It’s still early in the season here, and winter and spring have not yet completed their annual battle of wills (at least we know who wins!), but we’ve already been teased with a few days of pure, springtime bliss. As I’ve observed the city come alive on these warm afternoons, I’ve often thought with admiration, and some envy, about the plans that have no doubt been abandoned to make these impromptu leisurely lunches or days in the park possible. We are willing to abandon that which normally absorbs us when we feel that a fleeting reprieve is being offered. “It’s OK if I reschedule this meeting to check out a few minutes early today, since it’s supposed to rain tomorrow, and I won’t have this choice.” We surround ourselves with chaos, and jump at the opportunity to disconnect for what we believe is a temporary opportunity to exhale.
In reality, we have it backwards. We spend our days immersed in the details of problem-solving, pondering disappointments and dwelling on perceived failures, or doing our best to prevent them. When celebrations arise, we either can’t let go of our worries long enough to really enjoy them, or like springtime, we ride along on top of the high, considering it a temporary reprieve from reality. We focus on managing chaos and wait for serenity to find us. But if we allow ourselves to be as present in all of our joys as we are in our trials, we will find that opportunities for “reprieve” are abundantly present in our lives. We don’t have to wait for the cherry blossoms to peak to bloom a little bit on our own every day.
Spring brings with it new and renewed life, and as is inherent in all change, a frenetic energy that beckons us all to participate, to get caught up and shed the layers of winter, to start afresh and honor our authentic selves. Spring is nature’s gift but also her reminder that the opportunity to hit the reset button doesn’t come around just once a year.
OK, I admit…yes! I am a busy person. You know those people, perhaps you are even one of them! People who have activities scheduled every night of the week, weekend plans, endless self-development pursuits. Sometimes you have to schedule a 20-minute coffee session with these busy people three weeks in advance. That feels like my life lately. Guilty as charged. But we need to be the best we can be, after all right? We busy people are curious and want to explore the world around us, to take advantage of every single moment we have on this precious Earth. And if this means we are busy, then so be it…right?
But while pursuing these activities and staying busy can be a beautiful thing, what is the downside? Are we so busy that we find we are dreading going to the activities that we are supposed to be so excited about pursuing due to burn-out? At what point does being busy prevent us from getting in touch with what we really want?
A couple thoughts come to mind. One is a reminder that the perspective we bring into a situation will determine how we experience it. As we continue on our busy roads, hastily preparing for the next activity, stop and think. Ask yourself: what is my current perspective on this activity? Does this work for me? If not, what perspective do I want to have? Take a moment and think consciously about how you want to experience your next activity. Because by making this choice, you are in essence deciding how you want to experience your life… and there is such power in that!
My other thought is about balance. With so many “doing” activities, we can often forget about the importance of “being.” This looks very different to each individual and may include a walk in nature, meditation, or yoga. The intent of all of these is the same – to be present to your life. The “being” space allows for creativity and exploration not typically found in our “doing” lives. Try it, you might be surprised at what you find out about what you really want.
So spring is here and I find myself making more time to stop and literally smell the cherry blossoms. I encourage you all to do the same. As I do this, I can’t help but recall a line from one of my all-time favorite movies: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Thanks for the reminder Ferris.
photo: (cc) Cherry Blossoms
By now I hope everyone has heard that TSF is sponsoring LUNAFEST here in DC. We’re incredibly excited to be a part of a film festival with films made by, made for and made about women. It’s a natural fit for the work we do bringing yoga, creativity and leadership to girls through TranquilTeens and the support work we foster through our Generosity Program’s microgrants. We’re excited to announce our next grant recipients at LUNAFEST!
If you haven’t already purchased tickets, or want to get some more information, we’ve set up a handy dandy info page at tranquilspacefoundation.org/lunafest. You can watch the trailer for the films and download a program that describes them all. And if the prospect of watching cool short films isn’t enough to get you to Dupont Circle on April 23rd, we’re going to have movie candy. You read that right… movie candy. Come on, you know that puts things over the top!
Last but not least, of course, 100% of the money raised from the event goes to Tranquil Space Foundation and the Breast Cancer Fund. We hope to see you there!
Last week at the Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland Kimberly Wilson and I were greeted with five smiling girls who were eager to start our TranquilTeens workshop.
The girls pushed their comfort zones during a gentle yoga practice, did journaling on an important goal in their life, and wrote their own poem on leadership. As the afternoon went on, they shared more of their amazing personalities and stories with us.
S.I.S.T.E.R.S. is an after-school empowerment program offering comprehensive outreach, education, and mentoring for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls in upper elementary, middle, and high schools in the Washington metropolitan area.https://fsc1.org/sisters.htm.
Interested in bringing TranquilTeens to your group or getting involved in the Tranquil Space Foundation? Contact us.
Since yoga is a big (and favorite piece) of our TranquilTeens program, I wanted to share ideas on how to make this a part of your daily routine. Do you ever find that when you wake up on a chilly morning, you’d rather pull your lavender eyepillow back over your eyes, than leap out of bed into the unknown? When in need of an energy boost, look no further than this centuries’ old series that is sure to bring pep to your step.
1. Ground yourself in mountain pose at the top of the mat and feel the feet planted firmly into the earth. Press into all four corners of the feet, reach the crown of the head toward the heavens, and exhale your hands to prayer position in front of your heart.
2. Inhale, extend the arms up over the head.
3. Exhale, swan dive reaching the arms out to the sides as you fold forward.
4. Inhale, step back with your right leg to a lunge. Lift to your finger tips to create more lift in the sternum and wiggle your right foot so that the heel is directly over the ball of the foot, gently rock forward and back.
5. Exhale, step back with your left leg to down dog and press the floor away from you.
6. Inhale, forward to plank pose, line your shoulders over the wrists, and your heels above the balls of the feet.
7. Exhale, slide the shoulder blades down your back, slowly bend the arms, hug the elbows in toward your body, and keep the shoulder heads and hips in a straight line for four-limbed staff pose.
8. Inhale, drop your belly, slide up to cobra, and relax your shoulders from your ears.
9. Exhale, curl your toes under, lift your hips up and back to down dog.
10. Inhale, step forward with your right foot, sink deeper into your lunge with your exhalation, gently rock forward and back.
11. Exhale, step your left foot in between both hands to a forward fold.
12. Inhale, extend your arms out to the sides and up as you bring the palms of your hands together above your head. Exhale your hands to prayer as you stand in mountain pose.
Modern-day scenarios where you can use this sequence: low energy, day starter, need a boost, lack of time for a full practice.
image: Namaskar Moroccan Sun (cc) Salva
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is theonly thing that ever has. ~Margaret Meade
As partnership coordinator for the Tranquil Space Foundation, I have the pleasure of speaking with people in our community who work tirelessly to provide opportunities for young women. As a former non-profit junkie, I know the time, sweat, tears, and love that goes into running these organizations. I’d like to thank the staff and volunteers of the organizations we have been fortunate to partner with during the past two years. We wish them the best as continue to nurture the young women in their programs. Their work is inspiring and I would like to share a bit about each of them.
Boys and Girls Club of GW, Clubhouse #14
Strengthening our youth to beat the odds. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is to help boys and girls of all backgrounds, especially those who need us most, build confidence, develop character and acquire the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded, responsible adults. https://www.bgcgw.org/
DC Council BBYO
With more than 18,000 members and 80 years of experience, BBYO is known as the largest and most effective provider of identity-building and leadership development programs for Jewish teens. www.bbyo.org
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Located in Washington, DC, the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts was founded in 1974 and is the only DC public high school that provides professional arts training and college preparation to talented DC public school students. www.ellingtonschool.org
Finding Our Wings
The goal of the Finding Our Wings Community Documentary Program is to foster courage in teenage girls, currently ages 12 to 15 years old, who are attending middle school and high school primarily in East Baltimore. We seek to help the girls discover the courage required to fulfill their artistic visions and cultivate their documentarian voices. https://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2008/11/finding_our_win.php
For the Love of Children
For Love of Children’s mission is to provide young children and high-risk youth with the resources to achieve educational and personal success through a continuum of educational services that prepares them to become confident, life-long learners and contributing members of their communities. https://www.flocdc.org/
Running Start
Running Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young women and girls to run for political office. Our goal is to increase the number of women in the United States who serve in elected office by planting the seed early that women are needed in politics. Our training programs emphasize that political leadership is an attainable and exciting goal for young women to pursue. https://www.runningstartonline.org/home/
SISTERS
S.I.S.T.E.R.S. is an after-school empowerment program offering comprehensive outreach, education, and mentoring for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls in upper elementary, middle, and high schools in the Washington metropolitan area. https://fsc1.org/sisters.htm
Spring Brook High School
Springbrook High School, with its mosaic of cultures, challenges students academically to recognize and appreciate their individual talents. Thus empowered, students become lifelong learners who are culturally inquisitive, technologically adept, and prepared to contribute to and thrive in an interdependent world. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/springbrookhs/
I love to hear about the amazing work being done in our community – especially work that aligns with the values of the Tranquil Space Foundation. Tranquil Space Foundation focuses on expanding opportunities for yoga, creativity, and leadership among women and girls. Do you know of an organization that empowers young women? Please share their story! To learn how you can have a Tranquil Teens workshop hosted in your community, please email partnerships@pigsandpugs.org
Our TSF TranquilTeens program encourages the girls who participate in our programs to seek mentors and guides as a way to blossom mindfully into adulthood.
As business owners, yogis, employees, employers, partners, significant others, friends – we too need support.
A wonderful way to build more support for the goals in your life is to reflect on your “dream team.” If you could pick anyone, alive or dead, to be on your dream team, who would you have join you?
Going even further, what are some of the qualities of people you would like on your dream team? For me, they would be: openness, compassion, innovation, ambition, creativity, joy, playfulness, authenticity, honesty, empowerment, nurturing, intuitive, daring, fulfilled, and happy, among others…
This weekend, try envisioning your dream team that will help you achieve your personal or professional goals, and see what comes up for you. You might discover an abundance of resources, reconnect with an old friend, or make a surprising new connection!
The central purpose of Tranquil Space Foundation is to expand opportunities for girls to develop their inner voice.
How often do you listen to your inner voice? Do you remember what your inner voice sounds like? Here are some tips for getting back in touch with your authentic self…
Yoga: Practicing yoga will help you get out of your head and move into your body. By moving out of your head where inner critics and your to-do list may lie, you can listen to your breath, the way your body moves, and the good sensations you feel after your practice. Ten minutes of yoga in the morning at home can be a great way to start your day meaningfully and in touch with your inner voice.
Meditation: Many people think they need to find the time for a long, sustained meditation in the perfect quiet environment. The truth is that since we live in a city, there may not be a serenely silent spot to meditate; and even five minutes of meditation can be beneficial for getting in touch with your inner voice. Try practicing one of Kimberly Wilson’s favorite meditation techniques: inhale, say “let”, then exhale, say “go” inside your head. You can do this throughout the day on the bus, at work, or in your living room.
Journaling: Every time you take the time to journal, you are signaling to yourself that your inner voice is important. Buy yourself a journal with a gorgeous cover, and just get writing! Five minutes in the morning, mid-day, and a longer reflection in the evening can do wonders for prioritizing and identifying your inner voice.
What about you? How do you get in touch with your inner voice?
Yoga is a fabulous teacher. It’s one of those rare, gifted teachers that sets the stage for its students to learn their own lessons in their own time. Just when you think it will never make sense, that you will never fully complete a certain pose, and perhaps you’ve even decided that it’s OK if you don’t, something happens and it “clicks.” I remember a yoga class a few years ago in which I was having trouble balancing in ardha chandrasana (half-moon pose). My instructor came over to me and told me to shift my balance more into my big toe. It sounds minor, and maybe even ridiculous, but I was letting my balance roll onto the outside of my foot, and as she said, “The external is unreliable.” I needed to focus on the internal before I could open my heart any more. Now there’s a lesson to take off the mat. I needed to hear that to move further into the pose, but I left class that day with a greater lesson. These are the moments that remind us why we practice. But, despite the sense of accomplishment that comes with a new pose, achievement is not yoga’s true purpose. Not only is there always a next level of asana aspire to, but there are always new lessons to explore. This same instructor ended almost every class by telling us that our practices that day were perfect, no matter how much we may have stumbled, or even grumbled under our breaths. Our practices were our own, a true expression of who we were that day, and as such, always exactly right. If I was feeling special because I had managed to find a new bind that day, but the person next to me had felt terrible throughout the whole class, it didn’t matter. Our practices were of equal value because they were each a perfect expression of truth. Each student is on their own invaluable path, with endless opportunities for surprise at how deeply we can know ourselves, and how far our hearts can open.photo courtesy of Chris Rief Photography
Check out our newly updated resources page! It’s a very humble beginning, but that’s where you come in… if you have any suggestions, please feel free to let us know… we’re always looking for more!
Tranquil Space Foundation is proud to host the 2009 LUNAFEST in Washington, DC April 23rd from 7:00-9:00 pm.
LUNAFEST was established in 2000 by Luna, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, to simultaneously promote women filmmakers, raise awareness for women’s issues, and support worthy women’s nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. 100% of proceeds from the DC LunaFest will benefit TSF and the Breast Cancer Fund.
LUNAFEST features short films by, for and about women. A list of this year’s films and more general information about the national festival is at lunafest.org.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” – Oscar Wilde
It’s February, the time of year when you go to buy a friend a birthday card and come face-to-face with a paper mountain of red, pitter-patter, love-soaked greetings; when all of the outer wrappers of chocolate bars have exploding hearts; and when you open the newspaper and see restaurants advertising romantic three-course meals.
All of these tangible concoctions of love can make you think that it’s only something shared with someone else. But Mr. Wilde reminds us – as does Marianne Williamson when she writes in A Woman’s Worth, “When a woman falls in love with the magnificent possibilities within herself, the forces that would limit those possibilities hold less and less sway over her.” – that loving yourself is also a groovy kind of love. (Come on, we all like that song.)
So if you’re fortunate enough to be single (yes, it can be a blessing), take the energy of the upcoming hearty holiday to focus on what you love most about yourself (and how you can direct that confidence to current opportunities or goals) and what you can do to improve aspects of yourself that, in your opinion, aren’t all that loveable. I really believe that if you are content with who you are, the outward manifestations of what you may do socially, professionally, politically, religiously, and so forth will be far better than if you look to these outlets before getting in tip-top, self-love shape.
image: (cc) candy hearts