tranquility du jour

portland photos

2009-07-04T11:19:00.002-04:00

yesterday began with unfortunate news about a break-in at our arlington studio. boo. beau and moi did our best to put out the fires from the west coast with help from our amazing team.

then we began our looonnnngg walk to powells to meet up with my first fabulous assistant (circa 2003) who just moved to portland. along the way i indulged in a soy chai latte and my belly felt it all day. apparently my belly no longer likes these, prefers herbal or green teas. alas, i must listen and say "au revoir" to that beloved drink for now.

sipped lovely lemongrass tea at powells while catching up with kat, then browsed for about 2 hours. here are 2 snapshots of a couple favorite sections: women in business and paris! kat and i proclaimed, "don't let me buy another book" when we saw each other. texted "maybe 1 or 2" along the way. i walked out with 4, she walked out with 5. yes, we have a problem and powells is the ultimate in book-store browsing. captured on camera, my 4 must-haves: feminist activism, female leadership, biz, and paris.

next we met up with more tranquil space yoginis: the lovely arwa (a recent transplant) and michelle (here on vacay) for yoga at root and dining at a wine/cheese bar. that's where i got the artisan oreo you see in the photo. thought that would help my belly and indeed it did! just what the doctor ordered.

the day ended with a divine mani and pedi (finally got to experience lincoln park after midnight - has sparkles) and dining at a fondue restaurant. beau's cousin, sara (in photo), and i enjoyed a nightcap in my room watching late night tv.

loving my time in this amazing city. now off to get my yoga on while beau slumbers . . .

eye candy

2009-07-02T23:46:00.001-04:00

ella fitzgerald is serenading moi while my mint mojito candle makes the hotel room feel like home. finally in portland and settling in post way-longer-than-planned journey here. we were to arrive 20ish hours before we actually did and got to spend the night in a houston hotel SANS luggage. ahhh, gotta love life's curve balls. it keeps it all more exciting. of course, i did snag a few extra minutes in the houston airport borders and came across this cute book: don't get caught with your skirt down: a practical girl's recession guide. seems pretty entertaining/enlightening!

we're here for beau's brother's wedding and i have a plethora of dear friends to see here, too, so our schedule is quite full. first stop: powell's. my heart skips a beat just thinking about all the books! i'll be sure to capture all i can on film to share.

in the interim, i wanted to pass along these three visions of delicious eye candy. so the cupcakes speak for themselves. don't they make you salivate? yum! they were sent by a dear yogini on my birthday. next is sir louis napping in the back of the car with his beloved "teddie" during our intense road trip last week. last, i set out my accessories when i got to the hotel and thought the colors and sparkles were too fabulous to not share!

now, to bed. wishing you all a *gorgeous* holiday full of sparkles and more sparkles! xo

birthday sparklers

2009-06-30T08:23:00.006-04:00

last night's tranquilology teleclass was très amusant! a BIG merci beaucoup for all of you who joined. as i dash off to my super-early manager meeting, i wanted to share these GORGEOUS flowers representing the 8 petals of shining brightly this summer. the artists so far are: shannon, melita, carolyn, caitlin, michele, julie, and kaileen. so creative, so vibrant, so sparkly! fun-filled day of meetings, lunch with dear friend, teaching my fave class (been teaching it for almost 10 years), taking yoga, and dinner with beau! wishing each of you a *delightful* day!

inspiring words/tranquilology teleclass TONIGHT

2009-06-29T11:31:00.004-04:00

home after 2800 miles in 4 days! whirlwind adventure full of sorrow, loss, laughter, and family time. despite the circumstances, we all made the best of the situation and enjoyed our time together - including a spontaneous slumber party where we kept my 96-year-old gramma up until 2am watching the jane austen book club. very cute flick. gramma's words the next morning, "i'm sleepy." ha!

here are a few fun photos of our journey out to the wichita mountains outside of my parent's home, near where i grew up. beautiful! the pups had a blast and louis loves barking at the bison and long horns.

i came across this muse in o magazine. it felt apropos considering last week. barbara kingsolver writes:

every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. a frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of job . . . and onward full tilt we go, pitched and wrecked and absurdly resolute, driven in spite of everything to make good on a new shore. to be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another - that is surely the basic instinct . . . crying out: high tide! time to move out into the glorious debris. time to take this life for what it is.

may we all take this life for what it is!

finally, join moi (+ a host of other fab femmes) tonight for our tranquilology teleclass on shining brightly this summer. have your journals, colored pens, and mug of tea (or flute of bubbly) nearby. can't join us live? no worries, i'll send you the mp3. here's the skinny. xoxo

tranquility du jour #156: musings on self-love with Christine Arylo

2009-06-29T00:24:00.001-04:00

direct download (mp3)

Welcome to the 156th edition of tranquility du jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day. Recording from the Pink Palace in Washington, DC.

Today’s show menu features happenings and musings on self love with Christine Arylo.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next tranquilology teleclass "Shine with Summer Solstice" on June 29 (a day before my birthday!). $10.

Tranquility Tip: Yay birthday week. Each year I do a reflection exercise and encourage you to join me in the process. I write out everything accomplished since my last birthday and another list of everything I hope to accomplish by my next birthday. It works out perfectly since I have a mid-year birthday, but you, too, can join me in reflecting on goals mid-year!

Workshops + Retreats: Tools for creative expression on July 13 (mp3 available), a tranquility-filled week at Kripalu August 9-14, a Living Your Yoga 4-week series in September, and the annual Fall Foliage retreat to the hills of Virginia October 16-18. In 2010, consider the 4th annual Hip Tranquil Chick retreat March 26-28 and a week long sojourn to lush Costa Rica May 22-29. All the scoop is on my worksho ps page.

Featured Tranquilista: After earning her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and spending over twelve years marketing big brands such as Gap Inc., Visa and Frito-Lay, Christine Arylo traded in building images for corporations for a chance to inspire women to break free from their self-limiting images.

Merging her professional experience and extensive leadership and coaching training with a seven-year spiritual journey, Christine now works with women and girls as a catalyst for change. Christine’s clients -- who range from entrepreneurs to executives to women seeking a deeper personal path -- share one thing in common, they all want to live more of their most real and wise self.

A new kind of self-love expert, Christine takes a fresh approach to redeﬁning self-love for today’s woman as hip, hot and hers. Her no-taboo, limit-busting conversations and workshops, Girltalk… taking it deeper™, take place in venues ranging from the Internet (www.letsgirltalk.com), to colleges and high schools, to women’s events in major U.S. cities. In 2008, she launched Madly in Love with ME™, an international movement to inspire, dare and guide women and girls to be, love and live their most real and wise selves (www.madlyinlovewithme.com). She is the author of Choosing ME Before WE, The Every Woman’s Guide to Life and Love, which was released on February 13th, 2009 (New World Library).

Christine lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner, Noah, and their Siberian Husky.

Savvy Sources:
letsgirltalk.com
madlyinlovewithme.com
Choosing ME before WE: The Every Woman's Guide to Life and Love

Signature Style: Featured "look of the podcast" is the organic bamboo 2-in-1 slip dress and 2-in-1 maxi dress. Purchase either online by July 31 and receive a complimentary copy of Get Your Yoga On. Watch TranquiliT's spring video featuring oodles of ways to wear your favorites. Like to be in-the-know? Join the TranquiliT mailing list to get the skinny. Follow TranquiliT on twitter. Add TranquiliT to your blog and become an affiliate.

Chic Community: Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download tranquility du jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly tranquility du jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour . Explore mentoring with moi. Dive into my first book Hip Tranquil Chick. Become a TranquiliT eco-fashionista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation.

Challenge: Send moi photos of you getting your artist date on and I'll share them with our readers. The most creative artist date photo/write up received by September 21 (the fall equinox) will receive a complimentary CD of my newest yoga-to-go class plus a complimentary mentoring session via phone or in person (if you're local). Create away + do share!

Omwork: How can you engage in more self love this week?

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Sala by Abigal Washburn from Promonet. You can learn more about .

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes!
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Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

washington times feature

2009-06-25T02:06:00.002-04:00

delighted to share a fabulous feature in wednesday's washington times showcasing yoga as a lifestyle at tranquil space. the photographer captured great shots of the studio on saturday and the interviewer asked thoughtful questions on how yoga translates beyond the mat - especially as a business.

the journey of 1300+ miles . . . each way

2009-06-24T23:55:00.002-04:00

when i received word early sunday morning that my gramma had passed, beau and i quickly reorganized the week and made plans to journey home. it's been a whirlwind of a week leaving moi emotionally exhausted, yet INCREDIBLY grateful. the numerous notes via facebook, twitter, and via e-mail have been so supportive. merci beaucoup times 100!

we decided to road trip it and brought louis along for the adventure. attached are photos of my backseat "office" (note laptop, goosedown pink blanket, tranquilista manuscript, damask ideas book), beau and louis enjoying their first trip to a sonic drive-in (yay cheese tator tots!), a quick stop at graceland to get a photo and hit the loo, and louis enjoying the journey from the front seat. we arrived late tuesday night to the tunes of country and an amazing oklahoma sky.

today was the funeral. j'adore my nephews and eat up "bad boy" carson (forced by moi to sit on my lap - yep, weird auntie). this photo was taken at the luncheon before the funeral. seeing gramma was very hard on me. it's never easy, as the finality of death is so hard to grasp. she's been a part of my life in some capacity for almost 36 years. i know it must be especially hard on my father to lose his last parent. the final photo is us laying her to rest where beau served as a pallbearer. we'll stay one more day with family and then start our 2-day, 1300+ mile journey back to dc.

life is tricky. fleeting actually. the trivial things that are so consuming fall away in the face of finality. at times like this, i find it important to contemplate ways to show love each and every day. reach out and let someone know you are thinking of them. thank someone for making a difference in your day. cut out an article for a friend. write a snail mail letter and enclose a tea bag or small gift. remember birthdays. make amends. forgive. let go. hug. cry. be kind. smile. always do your best.

return to oklahoma

2009-06-21T10:19:00.004-04:00

tomorrow morning beau, pug, + moi will start the 21-hour journey back to oklahoma. my grandmother (not the yoga-doing, e-mail-writing, spry 97-year-old you've seen on my blog) passed away last night. she had been declining rapidly after a stroke so we were prepared for the news. however, the finality of it is always a bit shocking.

i'm savoring a lazy sunday morning in bed with my laptop and pug nearby. pensively planning and canceling appointments, meetings, classes, obligations for the week ahead. moments like this bring me back to the ongoing question "am i leaving a legacy?" for some reason, this is incredibly important to moi. making a mark drives everything i do.

take a moment to journal on this point. how are you leaving a legacy? it can be as simple as smiling at a disgruntled pedestrian you pass en route to work (seriously) or as grand as adopting an orphan from another country or dedicating your life to a cause.

may we all positively affect as many people as possible through our thoughts, words, and actions. i wanted to share a post i just came across on making a difference. this is from an interview with the lovely fran monks in 2005 or 2006 and felt apropos considering my muse.

this post is dedicated to my grandmother, jessie marie zorger wilson. let's leave legacies.

summer solstice staycation + artist date challenge/contest

2009-06-20T22:40:00.009-04:00

today's summer staycation was filled with goodie bags stuffed with delights for the senses (including leopard print armwarmers), creativity, organic snacks, designing a vision board, yoga, tea sandwiches, letter writing, heaps of yummy tea, a discussion on healthy habits, journal writing, and overall reflection topped with peonies, a gardenia scented candle, fun tunes, and incense. we had a delightful day and i was blessed with an impressive group of ladies. read more about the experience from the lovely city girl and the lovely melita.

i assigned omwork: one artist date per week until they receive the letter they wrote to themselves around the winter solstice. then continuing is optional. want to take this challenge with them? an artist date is a one-hour solo adventure that nurtures your creative spark: a picnic in the park, bookstore browsing (my fave), walk in the woods, shopping the accessory sections of anthropologie, sifting through magazines, reading curled up on the couch, knitting, beading, going to a concert, shopping the farmer's market, enjoying an art exhibit, sipping tea at an outdoor cafe, writing in your journal on a park bench.

you get the gist. join moi and today's lovely ladies on this artistic challenge! **send moi photos of you getting your artist date on and i'll share them with our readers. the most creative artist date photo/write up received by september 21 (the fall equinox) will receive a complimentary CD of my newest yoga-to-go class plus a complimentary mentoring session via phone or in person (if you're local). create away + do share! **

xoxo

design your vision board THIS saturday

2009-06-17T12:33:00.003-04:00

one of my favorite activities is designing a vision board. these photos show the lovely carolyn of hangontomato with her creation before and after - usually involves glitter! on saturday i'm hosting the first annual mid-year in-town retreat focused on visioning through yoga, meditation, holistic health, and vision board creation. if you're local, please consider joining us for the summer solstice staycation.

not local, but dying to design your own? here are a few fabulous resources:

1. unfolding your life vision kit by jennifer lee (podcast with her coming this summer)
2. the vision board: the secret to an extraordinary life by joyce schwarz
3. the creative entrepreneur: a DIY visual guidebook for making business dreams real by lisa sonora beam (podcast with her coming early fall)
4. the skinny: turn on inspiring tunes. clear your space and head. light a candle. collect images, photos, and/or quotes that appeal to who you want to be come or what you want to bring into existence. paste onto a folder (great for reusing). sprinkle glitter (add your own flair). place vision board where you will see it daily.
5. voila. set your intentions and watch what unfolds when you take action EACH day to move forward toward your bigger dreams.

i'm inspired by . . .

2009-06-15T17:12:00.003-04:00

1. fresh cut, fragrant peonies

2. The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

3. yoga
4. do-gooding
5. eye candy
6. women who live their passion
7. anais nin
8. tori amos' music
9. creative souls
10. each of you

what inspires you?

tranquility du jour #155: get your design on with Amy Butler

2009-06-14T23:09:00.001-04:00

direct download (mp3)

Bonjour:

Welcome to the 155th edition of tranquility du jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day. Recording from the Pink Palace in Washington, DC. Merci beaucoup for sharing your twitter and blog scoop. What a fun, talented online community we have!

Today’s show menu features happenings and musings on creativity with Amy Butler.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next tranquilology teleclass "Shine with Summer Solstice" on June 29 (a day before my birthday!). $10.

Tranquility Tip: Create a morning ritual: Light a candle. Do a sun salutation. Sip green tea with agave nectar. Nosh on organic museli with soy milk topped with strawberries. Write in your journal. Set your intention. Meditate for five minutes.

Workshops + Retreats: A su mmer solstice staycation in DC THIS Saturday, June 20, tools for creative expression on July 13 (mp3 available), a tranquility-filled week at Kripalu August 9-14, a Living Your Yoga 4-week series in September, and the annual Fall Foliage retreat to the hills of Virginia October 16-18. In 2010, consider the 4th annual Hip Tranquil Chick retreat March 26-28 and a week long sojourn to lush Costa Rica May 22-29. All the scoop is on my worksho ps page.

Featured Tranquilista: Amy Butler is a fabric, home, fashion, and print designer known for her modern approach to botanical, geometric and romantic inspirations. With spirited color and confident combinations of print, Amy has created a freshened view of the many product categories for which she now designs. Her latest lifestyle book, Amy Butler's Midwest Modern, (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) profiles her personal passions and lifestyle surrounding exotic gardens and the lush, vibrant inspirations of her daily life. As a sewing pattern designer, she has brought modern styling to the sewing arts and inspired a new generation of young women to "find their own style." With over 5 million hits a month on her website and numerous editorial appearances, Amy's growing brand has become synonymous with creativity, sustainability, quality and great style. Amy’s fabrics, patterns, papers, handbags, design and project books, and home décor products are sold worldwide.

Savvy Sources:
amybutlerdesign.com

amy's books:
midwest modern
little stitches for little ones
in stitches

Signature Style: Featured "look of the podcast" is the organic bamboo 2-in-1 slip dress. Watch TranquiliT's spring video featuring oodles of ways to wear your favorites. Like to be in-the-know? Join the TranquiliT mailing list to get the skinny. Save the date: summer solstice sale at the showroom THIS Wednesday, June 17. Répondez s'il vous plaît to info@TranquiliT.com. Don't live in DC? Don't despair. Shop online and save 25% using code SOLSTICE on Wednesday!

Chic Community: Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download tranquility du jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly tranquility du jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour . Explore mentoring with moi. Dive into my first book Hip Tranquil Chick. Become a TranquiliT eco-fashionista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation.

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing I know that I know by Capsula from Promonet. You can learn more about Capsula at myspace.com/dreamcapsula.

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes!
New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast Alley.
Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available.
Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

sassy sunday

2009-06-14T14:10:00.002-04:00

here's a snapshot of my weekend in pictures: saturday began with a remake of my planner pad at TranquiliT's planner pad extravaganza featuring joanna and julia. j'adore the quote on the cover "twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did." - mark twain. NOW, if that doesn't make you stop and think, i don't know what does. powerful quote. someone shared that with me during my later college years and it's been a motto for living life ever since. how apropos to find a sticker with it to put on my planner pad which organizes my life!

next was an impromptu viewing of dc's entertaining and inspiring gay pride parade. feeling sweaty and messy after leading teacher training, i sat on the studio stoop and watched the floats go by. attached is one of my favorites: fresh flower covered umbrella and float. during this unplanned extravaganza, i ran into a former retreat participant who was in town so we dined on bubbly and bruschetta and belly laughed into the wee hours. it was nice to be able to go with the flow for an evening.

today i returned to my beloved ashtanga sunday morning practice and was tres rusty. boo. even my teacher said, "it makes me sad to see you at half speed." gotta ramp it up, but wasn't feeling my strongest. c'est la vie. at the showroom and just finished hosting a bridal try-on session for the lovely all-in-one wrap. the ladies looked so chic in their noir dresses. was a treat. to top it off, picked up some fresh cut peonies so the showroom was extra fragrant! ooh la la.

now heading home to bask in some quiet time before an evening tranquil space foundation gathering. speaking of TSF, if you are interested in some decadent do-gooding, we have two chair positions open. please consider joining us!

fabulous podcast with the oh-so-talented amy butler coming tonight after a yummy home-cooked meal by beau.

BIG merci beaucoup for sharing your phenom blogs with each other. i'm blessed to see SO many talented readers/writers out there. xo

synergy

2009-06-12T18:08:00.002-04:00

j'adore the connections and like-minded ladies that i've met via blogging and tweeting. thank you for sharing your twitter addresses so that we could follow you. now, i'd love to have blog addresses from fellow readers. please share your scoop in the comments so that we can read your musings. it's always a treat to find new inspiration!

one fun find is the lovely wish studio blog. i'll be writing a monthly column on tranquilology for it so please peruse my first piece here.

the week flew by. agree? seems like life continues to move so quickly and i'm grateful for the ongoing ups and downs. keeps moi challenged, encouraged, and inspired. busily pulling together a tranquilology e-book for my creative non-fiction class, editing tranquilista, and finalizing my grad school application. last night we had a small gathering to celebrate tranquil space foundation's third year (woo hoo!): highlighted the seven grants we've given, dozen of tranquil teens programs we've led, and events we've hosted. it felt good.

tomorrow begins with a planner pad workshop (yay! 2 spaces left if you want to join), a dash of yin yoga, and teaching teacher training. sunday gives me a boost of ashtanga, a playdate with a bridal party at the showroom, and a train the trainer workshop for tranquil teens. the podcast on sunday night is FABULOUS - the magnifique amy butler. you will love it! ready for an action-packed weekend.

i am very grateful for the synergy created online with each of you. you're like a little family - odd considering many of our paths of not crossed . . . yet. a BIG merci beaucoup for all the helpful feedback on my personal statement for graduate school. due on monday so i plan to polish over the weekend and your input will be infused.

enjoy the photo of sir louis dolled up in my scarf. clearly he's not pleased about it, but it made me smile. best wishes for a phenomenal weekend. do something decadent just for you: sleep in, nap, eat a sundae (had one on tuesday with extra whipped cream), nosh on froyo, sprinkle wheat germ on ice cream, slurp succulent fruit, sip bubbly. life is meant to be lived fully. how will you make that happen?

grad school + personal statement = humbling experience

2009-06-10T16:46:00.003-04:00

i spent the afternoon pulling together a resume (gasp!), filling out an online application (seriously? we did everything paper and pencil way back when), and writing a personal statement. for giggles i pulled out the one i had written in 2000 for the women's studies MA at george washington university. it's fun to see how writing styles and dreams evolve over the years.

below is what i've crafted thus far for the personal statement. must confess it was hard not to use "moi" or "delighted" or "oodles." i'm sure i'm missing critical pieces, but am enjoying how it is coming together. if you have suggestions or feedback, please pass along!
******************

Ever since I got a hold of my mother’s Dear Abby books, I’ve been fascinated by the notion of serving others and helping them take steps forward. In college I studied Psychology, graduated cum laude, and had grand plans of becoming a therapist. During my senior year I was exposed to Women’s Studies and my world changed. Instead I pursued my Master’s in Women’s Studies with a focus of entrepreneurial leadership and have been serving women for almost a decade through my various organizations.

Growing up in Oklahoma, my exposure to opportunities for women was limited. During college my eyes were opened and I’ve enjoyed the non-traditional path ever since. Rather than going straight to graduate school, I backpacked around Europe for three months and then moved to Colorado to work at a ski resort for ten months. In 1996, I was presented with an opportunity to move to Washington, D.C. and pursued a Certificate in Paralegal Studies at Georgetown University. Law had always interested me and I performed strongly on the analytical section of the GREs so I decided to explore this path. Working in a law firm, counting the years until retirement, and hoping to change the world one trademark at a time was draining my spirit.

I took action at the age of 26: left the law firm, went back to Georgetown University to help run the Paralegal program, and took yoga teacher training. My ability to serve, help others take action, and nurture their spirits along the way had come full circle. I was enamored with the prospect of starting a yoga community, so I opened my living room to strangers and now have three studios in the D.C. area that serve over 1200 students each week, mainly women.

By teaching yoga, training teachers, leading workshops and retreats, mentoring, and overseeing four organizations, I am lucky to live my passion each and every day. However, there is a piece of me that has returned to the prospect of getting an MSW multiple times over the past ten years and I am now more eager than ever.

In 2006, I launched Tranquil Space Foundation to help deliver yoga, creativity, and leadership tools to women and girls. We have started with the program Tranquil Teens: Stretch Yourself which we take to girls 9th-12th grade and also give micro-grants to like-minded organizations supporting women and girls. When I saw the offering of a Certificate in Non-Profit Management as an option in this program, I was smitten and immediately called to see if you were still accepting applications.

The MSW program will provide the tools to truly make a difference. My goal is to leave a legacy that inspires and empowers others. Through the creation of Tranquil Space, TranquiliT, Hip Tranquil Ventures, and Tranquil Space Foundation, I strive to weave in social consciousness throughout. From charity donations to planting trees to adopting animals to volunteering to using eco-friendly fabrics and reusable materials, this notion is at the core of all I hope to do. As a facilitator of classes, workshops, trainings, and retreats, I desire to offer more and in the most meaningful way possible. For example, learning how to work with group dynamics, adjust expectations, provide support, and establish boundaries will allow me to be the best facilitator, manager, and visionary I can be. In addition, the opportunity to grow Tranquil Space Foundation to a national (even global) level will be enlightened through the skills strengthened in this program.

One offering that I’ve recently added to my portfolio is mentoring. I work with many women who feel stuck in a particular aspect of their lives – mainly professionally and creatively. Being able to offer more in-depth work through mentoring can only benefit my clients even more. Another area where I see the MSW assisting with my mission of leaving a legacy is through my writing. I’m currently finishing my second book, and enjoy writing a well-read blog plus articles for various publications. This degree will allow me to go deeper in my desire to inspire and serve the reader.

From 2001 to 2004 I was building Tranquil Space, teaching up to 18 classes (full-time for a yoga teacher), and attending graduate school. I missed only a handful of classes during my tenure, received high marks, and finished in three years despite the estimated four years for part-time. Fitting this program into my schedule will not be a problem and will be an honor. I cannot wait to dive into the material this fall.

There is a mantra in yoga that I adore and state at the end of every class I teach: lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu. It translates to, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” Since learning this mantra, it has become a manifesto of sort for my life. My hope is that though the material learned in the MSW program I will be able to make a larger contribution to others. Thank you for your consideration.

got manifesto?

2009-06-09T23:07:00.003-04:00

i was recently reminded of a mantra i came up with in 2003 - "edges pushed, boundaries held." oddly enough, this reminder came to moi while reading facebook. a fellow friend mentioned my mantra and how it was resonating at this time. whoa, nothing like being taken back six years to a much-needed mantra for all times.

you may recall the hip tranquil chick manifesto. i haven't created one yet for tranquilista, but should probably get on it since june is my editing month. a manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions. as i've shared before, j'adore lululemon's manifesto. so spicy, so real, and touches on so many aspects of our lives.

ever put together a manifesto or mantra for your own life? why not explore the concept now? take a few deep breaths and ponder a phrase that could bring about transformation in your life. just tonight i was using "let go" during my yoga practice. simple, yet profound. sometimes i ask myself "what is the best use of my time at this moment?" -- a mantra that brings me back to the present moment. comes in super-handy when i feel pulled in multiple directions.

for a manifesto, i still resonate fully with the one i created in 2006 for hip tranquil chick, but could probably spice it up a bit. would be nice to design one to carry in my planner pad (workshop THIS weekend at the showroom) or on my laptop desktop. while i ponder this update, i have to ask, "do you have a manifesto or mantra to share?" if so, tranquility du jour readers would LOVE to hear it! manifesto away . . .

tranquility du jour tv: costa rica

2009-06-08T22:42:00.003-04:00

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here's a peek into the sights and sounds of our sojourn to lush costa rica starring hilary, amy, amanda, kimberly, thea, pary, melissa, terri, mary ashby, kristen, our coffeefield guide eduardo, and the hard-working leafcutter ants. for oodles of papaya, siestas, yoga, sunning, and afternoon thunderstorms, join us in 2010. muy divertido!

tweet, tweet

2009-06-07T23:28:00.002-04:00

bon soir from beau's cabin in the woods.

we headed out here post-race for the cure on saturday. being surrounded by country air, the smell of fresh cut grass, and a full moon brings me heaps of tranquility. it's been a busy weekend of errand running, teaching hip hop yoga to an *amazing* group of yogis (can you say "humpty dance"?), dining out with visiting family, playing catch up from the week's backlog (lifelong journey, eh?), running (ok really only ran 3 of the 5k) race for the cure, and leading a session on "growing as a teacher" at today's teacher team retreat nearby.

sunday nights are sacred: perfect for setting out my yoga practice schedule, transferring undone to-dos from last week to the upcoming week (way TOO many of those), assessing MITs (most important tasks), and podcasting or vidcasting (this week's vidcast from costa rica will come tomorrow). do you have a sunday night routine? one teacher at today's retreat said sunday is her "fun day" and she doesn't plan a thing. genius!

tonight while handling e-mails in front of the tony's, i found some new peeps to follow on twitter. if you are on twitter, please share your scoop in the comments section as i'd love to follow you and i'll bet other tranquility du jour tweeters would, too! i just added museum of modern art, karl lagerfeld, and some other fabulous femmes to my following list. would love to add you. j'adore updates and inspirations. follow moi. tweet tweet!

i heart organization

2009-06-04T23:30:00.003-04:00

while perusing ikea's bed section for beau's new home in the woods, i came across the perfect storage unit for TranquiliT. isn't this just fabulous? tres french chic, size i need, and great for keeping pet hair at bay. so, once the showroom returns to chez moi late july, this is where your orders will be coming from!

ikea is full of eye candy. i get so jazzed thinking of new ways to organize my tiny abode to make life more comfortable and always come away from that store with great ideas. much to beau's chagrin, that's how i got the "genius" idea of sleeping in a loft bed to open up more space. that experiment didn't last long! alas, i'm delighted about this new organizational system for my beloved eco-fashion collection.

TranquiliT Delights

2009-06-04T15:19:00.003-04:00

Dearest Lovers of Eco-Fashion,

Please peruse our newly launched LUXE Bridal site featuring the beloved all-in-one wrap dress: http://www.luxebridal.com/. I hope you love it as much as I loved creating it!

In addition, you're invited to TranquiliT's open showroom (1724 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC) on Wednesday, June 17 from 5-8pm in honor of the Summer Solstice. Shop sustainable style at an exclusive one-night only discount. Sip bubbly, nosh on tasty vegetarian hors d'oeuvres, mingle with moi, and get a sneak peek of fall colors and samples. TranquiliT will also introduce a new summer must-have wrap that you will adore! Répondez s'il vous plaît to info@TranquiliT.com.

costa rica sparkled

2009-06-02T23:15:00.012-04:00

wow, how quickly life has moved after savoring the slow pace of costa rica. although i *adored* my time away, it feels divine to be back in the grind.

here are some fun photos to capture the experience of last week. oodles of yoga, belly laughs, fresh fruit, rain clouds, hammocks, siestas, and girl time. a royal treat. we're returning may 22-29, 2010 in case you can escape with moi.

since i've returned, i've gone through 650 e-mails, wrapped and shipped off costa rica gifts, shipped online orders, led a team retreat, written two pieces for my column in the examiner, taught class, edited the tranquil space blog/june newsletter, written and submitted a grant proposal, read 70 pages of on writing well and written a 2-page paper for writing class, signed up for summer french classes at alliance francaise, put out a new podcast, had two team meetings, hunted down admissions for MSW program to see if i could still apply for fall (yep!), and savored an evening with a dear friend. whew, a whirlwind 72 hours. thus, i'm a bit behind with blogging. my apologies.

despite the hectic past few days, i AM savoring a slower pace - even if it doesn't sound like it. deadlines loom, to-dos pile up (always, eh?), ideas flow, and pet hair accummulates in corners. it's ok, i'm trying to remember this is all a journey. there is no final destination. enjoying the stargazer lilies, pet sounds, nag champa incense, frozen yogurt (topped with wheat germ + blackberries), good laughs, handwritten notes, and decaf chai along the way.

tonight when teaching i reminded students that for every two steps forward, there is usually one step back. savor the journey. don't rush it, but don't stand still. bask in the beauty that surrounds you every single day - in costa rica or at home.

tranquility du jour #154: goddess leonie's guide to creativity

2009-05-31T23:57:00.003-04:00

direct download (mp3)

Bonjour Mademoiselle:

Welcome to the 154th edition of tranquility du jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day.

Today’s show menu features happenings and musings on creativity with Goddess Leonie.

Workshops + Retreats: Join moi for our next tranquilology teleclass "Shine with Summer Solstice" on June 29 PLUS events around the globe: hip hop yoga in DC (with a DJ) on Friday, June 5, a summer solstice staycation in DC on June 20, tools for creative expression on July 13 (mp3 available: http://www.tranquilit.com/events) another tranquility-filled week at Kripalu August 9-14, a Living Your Yoga 4-week series in September, and the annual Fall Foliage retreat to the hills of Virginia October 16-18. In 2010, I'm hosting the 4th annual Hip Tranquil Chick retreat March 26-28 and a week long sojourn to Costa Rica May 22-29. All the scoop is on my workshops page.

Featured Tranquilista: Goddess Leonie
Leonie Allan runs e-courses, gives readings and creates custom art to help every woman discover the Goddess inside her. She lives in the purple foothills of Canberra, Australia, living a creative and sacred Goddess life.

Savvy Sources:
goddessguidebook.com
decluttergoddesses.com

Signature Style: Spring has sprung at TranquiliT. Featured "look of the podcast" is the organic bamboo savasana throw. Watch TranquiliT's spring video featuring NEW ways to wear your favorites. Be sure to join the TranquiliT mailing list to get the skinny. Save the date: summer solstice sale at the showroom on Wednesday, June 17.

Chic Community: Join our Facebook page. Follow moi on Twitter. Download tranquility du jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly tranquility du jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour. Explore mentoring with moi. Dive into my first book Hip Tranquil Chick. Become a TranquiliT eco-fashionista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation.

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Ganapati Om by Donna De Lory from Promonet. You can learn more about her at donnadelory.com.
- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes!
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Check out nineball media.

3 pics - more to come

2009-05-30T23:20:00.002-04:00

my week in costa rica was truly divine. more lovely and tranquil than i could have imagined.

i'll be sure to share more photos, but wanted to post my three obsessions during the trip:
1. leafcutter ants (cutest things EVER)
2. three francophile books i read
3. a candid shot taken by the lovely amanda of me doing my favorite exercise in costa rica - "hammocking."

next on the horizon

2009-05-28T09:53:00.002-04:00

considering the ample reflection and social time i´ve been blessed with here in costa rica, i am feeling good about a next step on the horizon. for years i´ve debated a master´s in social work. actually, it is what i set out to do in university (psych major, soc minor) so the idea continues to beckon moi. in 2004 i completed my master´s in women´s studies and loved the exploration of feminism on such a deep level. over the past few months, i find myself running into women i admire who have MSWs and are running non-profits or doing therapy. i think it is a sign. to top it off, yesterday while swinging in the hammocks (i know, rough week) i found out about a program in the dc area that is reasonably priced and up my alley. after a bit of online research last night i was smitten. to add even more icing to the cake, it offers a dual degree path with a certificate in non-profit management. ooh la la!

just broke the news to beau and look forward to exploring it further when i´m home. this past decade has been an organic evolution of building tranquil space. lord knows i´m by no means done with this journey, but have been pondering what the next decade will present for moi. i believe i´ve found it. the chance to continue trying to make a difference in this new way thrills me.

now that i´ve determined what the next decade holds, i must dine on papaya, pineapple, watermelon, granola, and fresh juice before strolling through the coffee fields and teaching yoga . . .

costa rica es muy bonita y divertido

2009-05-26T09:59:00.002-04:00

day 3 waking up in costa rica. truly divine. sun blasts into the windows around 5:30/6am. tres early! find myself crawling into bed around 9ish and giggling for hours with my co-teacher, pary before finally donning my eyepillow and earplugs. sun shines brightly until early afternoon and then we are doused with heavy thunderstorms. the thunderstorms are a true treat to listen to while practicing yoga or reclining in a hammock reading.

found computers yesterday and decided to do occasional twitter and facebook updates, coupled with a few blog posts. no e-mail checking. oddly liberating and truly important for my soul. the world keeps turning, i´m sure about that.

days are filled with cut papaya, yoga, meditation, journal writing, heaps of reading (finished all you need to be impossibly french, almost done with true pleasures: a memoir of women in paris), and napping. i feel blessed. the ladies who joined moi and pary are a true treat. all east coasters from dc, new york, and martha´s vineyard.

had two bad dreams last night. one that was an odd, out of control yoga at work situation where everyone was wearing their shoes during practice, not grasping anything i said, and my iPod kept disappearing. one about being deceived. neither felt good and left me a bit shaken when i woke up. funny how the mind continues turning in such odd ways while we sleep, eh?

off to partake in breakfast (2 hours behind dc here) which is one of my favorite parts of this adventure: cut papaya, watermelon, pineapple, homemade granola with coconut, and whole wheat toast with the most amazing strawberry jam! then journal writing to exorcise these bad dreams and feelings. next 2 hours of yoga at 10am. eat again. free time. 2 more hours of yoga. eat again. to complete the day we plan to sip vino under the stars in the hot tub while nibbling on dark chocolate. ooh la la!