Introducing the Tranquil Space Teachers Collective
For 18 years, Tranquil Space yoga studios were lovingly tended to. There was tremendous intention behind every little detail and a steadfast dedication to nurturing community. After moving back to California and unsuccessfully seeking something similar, I now realize how much trust was baked into the ethos of Tranquil Space. Hands-on assists are controversial almost everywhere else, but at Tranquil Space they were cherished. We were known for our signature style of vinyasa yoga and our consistency across teachers and classes. Our community trusted us to not just meet their expectations, but also to make them feel special. We learned everyone’s names, paid attention to the lighting, offered fresh tea and cookies, spritzed lavender spray, perfected playlists, remembered birthdays, and more. People felt a deep sense of belonging when they stepped through our doors. They felt seen, cared for, connected, and held. Tranquil Space was a sanctuary for so many of us as well as a catalyst for evolution and healing.
When we were acquired by YogaWorks in September 2017, things started to shift. The special sauce that nourished us was now attenuated with artificial ingredients. Many of the special touches were still there, but they were no longer infused with the same level of love or care. The cookies now came from Amazon, the accents were neon green instead of lavender, and every week there was a new Groupon or Class Pass deal that ushered in hordes of early-twenties-yoga-tourists. The trust began to erode and our community began to disperse. Yet, we still had our two beautiful studios in Dupont and Arlington and many of our beloved teachers and classes. Until of course, the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March of 2020.
While YogaWorks was able to hold on for a while by hosting virtual classes, they were not paying rent at any of their physical studios. In September of 2020, we got the sad news that they were letting go of both the Dupont and Arlington studios. Shortly thereafter, we learned that the company was filing for bankruptcy and almost all of us were permanently laid off.
It was at this point that a group of us started to chat. We had seen other yoga teacher collectives popping up and offering new models of gathering. We were intrigued and driven by a desire to keep our very special community together. We had some exploratory conversations, formed a Steering Committee, organized over 100 teachers, fundraised, and eventually formed the Tranquil Space Teachers Collective. As stated in our mission, our intention is to provide a way for former Tranquil Space students and teachers to stay connected. We hope this Collective will sustain the community that has nurtured so many of us over the years.
Beyond this driving intention to stay together, we are also engaging in conversations around cultural appropriation, anti-racism, inclusivity, and fair labor practices to actively explore how we can continue to evolve and thrive. We aim to preserve the essence and trust of Tranquil Space while creating the yoga culture we want to see post-pandemic (and post-corporate acquisition).
As you navigate through our website, you will see a teacher directory, a compiled class schedule, a special events page, and a blog. Here, you will be able to connect with your former teachers, see what they are up to, and pay them directly.
We welcome you to engage with us, offer feedback, submit memories and reflections for our blog, and join the conversation as we chart our way forward. Thank you for being here every single step of the way. We are so grateful for our beloved community and look forward to staying connected for many years to come.