“the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware! ~ henry miller

february is fast upon us. how are your 2005 intentions unfolding? how are you handling the lack of sunshine and ability to enjoy life outside? this is a month filled with carnation hearts, chilly weather, whispers of love, and lots of pink and red. i find that it is also a month where many people become stir crazy. the holidays are over, the thrill of new year’s resolutions have subsided, and we’re hanging on by a thread with anticipation of spring. how can we find a message in the madness through our yoga and beyond? to me, an underlying theme for february is a connection with passion. isn’t passion, (defined by my ibook dictionary as “an intense or overpowering emotion, keen interest in a particular subject or activity, and strong desire and excitement”), what our practice of yoga and life is really all about?

through yoga, we are able to reconnect to the basics such as breath, mindful movement, and thought cessation. by coming back to these basics, we can see where we are in need of action to avoid further stagnation. simple tools such as journal writing, yoga practice, meditation, and a good heart-to-heart with a trusted companion can assist with jolting one out of a rut. notice what areas feel passionless in your life and begin working with ways to bring it back. passion-filled changes could include trying a different level of practice at the studio, cooking with a new herb, taking up flamenco dance, designing a dress, writing a novel, creating a blog or starting a business. passion is about living out loud, being in the flow, taking chances, finding edges, and holding boundaries – with flair!

without passion, days lose importance and life becomes a continual dance on the hamster wheel. explore ways to bring passion back to your life, your relationships, and even your yoga practice. approaching your job or partnership with new eyes, or less judgmental eyes, that embody gratitude can do a lot for invoking passion. approaching the mat as if you’re new to the practice and listening intently to the subtleties encouraged by the teacher can invoke a passion for warrior 1.

life is meant to be lived fully. i love the quote above by henry miller. how often are you living with such passion that you are “joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware?” isn’t that what it’s all about? february, cupids, love, relationships, life – passion is at the core! may this month offer you a chance to connect with your passion both on and off the yoga mat.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 8:11 PM | 0 comments

the hip tranquil chick’s practice at home, on the go, and at work

at home: her home is a refuge, a place to reconnect with her soul. she enjoys reflecting and retreating here, along with entertaining and possibly even sharing her life with loved ones: a partner, friend, and/or pet. as encouraged by virginia woolf, the hip tranquil chick knows that carving out a sacred space within her home is of great importance for her sanity and development. whether it is a cozy corner, carved out nook, or a room of her own, she finds a space to call her own. on the mat: the hip tranquil chick makes yoga an integral part of her daily routine. by carving out a space for her practice or simply having her mat nearby, she is able to take a few moments to connect within. she may begin the day with a sun salutation, rest in pigeon pose after a challenging day, or spend 10 minutes in complete quiet sitting on her mat and listening to her breath. she may be in need of a high-energy practice to bhagavan das or thievery corporation or a more sacred, slow flow to deva premal. she knows that her life is always changing, and therefore, so is her practice. her practice is a mirror for her life, and she enjoys making this connection in the comfort of her home. off the mat: whether entertaining like-minded girlfriends or spending time in quiet contemplation with her journal, the hip tranquil chick knows the importance of connecting to her yoga practice away from the mat while at home. she enjoys reflecting on her day and experiences, acknowledging lessons learned, and thinking of ways to be stronger and more flexible in the future. she also values time spent being rather than always doing and loves “accomplishing” the science of just being. if she lives with a friend or partner, she practices detachment from how she thinks things should be, knowing that everyone is different and she is wasting her time trying to change another person.

on the go: always in motion, from the market to the museum to an afternoon of retail therapy, book browsing and café writing, the hip tranquil chick seeks to connect to her yoga practice. she is continually aware that asana is not the only form of practice and tries to incorporate the more subtle aspects of yoga into her daily rounds. on the mat: although she may not be able to roll out her yoga mat in a sale-frenzied boutique, she is able to do some subtle practicing through breath work and basic bliss-producing poses. while standing in line, she can shift her weight into one leg and place the other foot at her ankle for tree pose, she can interlace her hands behind her back and lift them up to create a heart opener, or she can work with eagle and cow face arms to awaken her upper back from her retail therapy bag overload. also, as she finds tempers flaring and pulses rising due to a huge line at her local bank or grocery store, she is able to access her 3-part yogic breathing and rise above the madness. there are little things that she can do to maintain her practice while on the go and avoiding a scene. off the mat: while out and about, the hip tranquil chick takes a mindful approach to life. through encounters on busy sidewalks to interactions with store clerks and baristas, she is courteous and conscious that staying calm in the middle of chaos is a testament to her practice of yoga. how she spends her free time allows her to transfer her beliefs into action through volunteering, supporting causes close to her heart, and connecting with a community. living with integrity and treating others as she wants to be treated is her way to practice yoga away from the mat while gallivanting about town.

at work: her workplace is a continual practice challenge. she may be surrounded by various personalities, looming deadlines, office red tape, exorbitant expectations, lack of appreciation, ringing phones, endless e-mail, and incessant meetings. however, with the principles of yoga internalized, the hip tranquil chick is able to rise above office drama to find a sense of peace within the pandemonium. on the mat: within her office, she takes regular time to reconnect with her body through movement and breath awareness. (see my previous blog for an office yoga vinyasa.) if she can’t close the door and float into a headstand, she can easily practice some basic moves that will leave her feeling refreshed and alive. the basic bliss-producing poses described in sidebar three are sure to rejuvenate the hard working hip tranquil chick. off the mat: whether she is in charge of answering phones or running a fortune 500 company, she incorporates principles of yoga into her work. by being flexible when an emergency arises or being strong when she feels mistreated, she strives to live what she practices through yoga. the combination of strength and flexibility with finding her edge and protecting her boundaries are a way for her to grow authentically in her professional world. the courage it takes to practice a challenging arm balance where stability and strength are eventually found can be translated into gaining confidence to ask for a raise or share that innovative, yet controversial idea.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 2:04 PM | 0 comments

illustration by morgan l. johnson

the modern girl knows that weaving yoga into her daily routine, even if she can't make her favorite studio class, is very important to a tranquil state of being. taking time at the office or while out and about to connect within is crucial to a healthy mindset. incorporate this yoga sequence daily for a 15-minute “mental health break.”

begin by sitting on the edge of your seat with feet hip width apart and flat on the ground. extend the crown of the head toward the ceiling creating an elongated spine and connect to your breath. the yoga poses below begin from this basic starting position.

1. neck and shoulder rolls with closed eyes
inhale deeply. exhale and allow the eyes to close. inhale, lengthen the spine and slowly lower the right ear to the right shoulder. exhale, lowering the chin to the chest. inhale, lifting the left ear to the left shoulder. exhale, lowering the chin to the chest. repeat five times with the eyes closed. inhale, roll the shoulders forward and up to your ears. exhale, rolling the shoulders back and towards the floor, allowing the shoulder blades to slide down the back. repeat five times in both directions. benefits: rests the eyes to help prevent eye strain; lubricates and stretches the neck joints; relieves tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
2. seated cat and cow
clasp the seat of the chair, palms down and fingers pointing towards the floor. inhale, bring the chest forward and draw the shoulder blades together, taking a slight back bend in cow position. exhale, bring the belly towards the back of the chair allowing the shoulders to fall forward into cat position. repeat five times, concentrating on coordinating each movement with an inhale and an exhale. benefits: warms and elongates the spine, relieves back tension,
3. chair twists
inhale, lengthen the head towards the ceiling. exhale, twist to the right side bringing the left hand to the outside of your right leg. place the right hand on the left side of the upright seat back. allow the head to follow the twist of the spine and allow the eyes to gaze beyond the chair back. inhale, coming back to center and repeat on the other side. benefits: whittles the waist; stretches the spine, shoulders and hips; relieves lower back, neck and sciatica pain; aids in digestion; massages internal organs which pushes out toxins and allows the organs to refill with fresh blood.
4. eagle arms
inhale, stretching the arms out to the sides. exhale, bringing your left arm under your right arm. cross both arms at the elbows, point the elbows towards the floor and fingers up towards the ceiling. try to place the palms of the hands together. inhale, try to raise your elbows to shoulder height while moving the fingers as far forward from the face as possible. exhale, slowly draw up and down circles with the elbows in one direction and then the other. repeat on the other side. benefits: firms upper arms and stretches the upper back /shoulder muscles.
5. seated child’s pose
inhale, lengthen the spine toward the ceiling, exhale fold forward placing the chest on the thighs. allow the arms to drop to the floor. breathe deeply and relax for 30 seconds. inhale, engage the abs and raise the upper body to a sitting position. variations: (1) turtle pose: while in child’s pose, open the legs to hip distance. thread arms between the legs and around the calves. attempt to grasp the outside of the foot with the hand. (2) hands clasped behind the back pose: while in child’s pose, reach the arms behind the back and clasp the fingers together. lower the hands toward the head. benefits: rejuvenates the body; stretches the spine; massages the abdominal area.
6. ankle and wrist rolls
roll ankles and wrists in clockwise circles. repeat counter-clockwise. benefits: lubricates ankle and wrist joints; promotes blood circulation, eases carpal tunnel syndrome.
7. walking meditation
as you walk to the copier or to refill your water bottle during the workday, bring awareness to each step and movement. notice sensations in your body, concentrate on your breath and practice awareness of your surroundings. feel a sense of tranquility throughout your body and allow this feeling of peace to remain with you throughout the day. benefits: brings mindfulness into the mundane, creates tranquility.

may these small changes to your daily routine bring relief from the many directions on which you are pulled. namaste.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 7:50 PM | 0 comments

A true yoga practice begins internally and does not require a leopard print yoga mat or the latest yoga wear (although I personally find it more fun to practice with such things). Yoga is about connecting the mind and body to create a more cohesive life, and poses are simply a catalyst for this transformation. Yoga translates as union and the Hip Tranquil Chick uses yoga to create unification within her many worlds, especially with blending the mind, body, and spirit. She soon discovers how yoga assists her development both on and off the mat, and can be translated into all her modern girl trials and tribulations.

The sage Patanjali wrote the fundamental teachings of yoga, Yoga Sutras, in the second century BC. He wrote that the aim of yoga is to quiet the fluctuations of the mind, and to create stillness in order to connect with one’s own voice. Who needs this philosophy more than the modern girl? She tries to do it all, wants to have it all, and seeks a little fun sprinkled with consciousness along the way.

To truly create a personalized practice, it is important for the Hip Tranquil Chick to determine what she is seeking through yoga: serenity, a yoga bum, spirituality, social time with girlfriends, strength, meditation, or flexibility. What she is seeking today may be very different from what she seeks in the future. Just because she wants to practice yoga now since all her girlfriends do it, doesn’t mean that as her relationship to yoga grows it won’t become an integral part of her spiritual world.

A Hip Tranquil Chick’s approach to yoga is non-dogmatic. She knows that there are many paths to yoga and many ways to practice yoga, both on and off the mat, and she does not allow herself to be chained to any particular mode of practice. She loves exploring styles, trying different teachers within the styles, paying attention to how she feels in various yoga communities, and making decisions based on these criteria. Yoga is personal and it is important to honor this individuality each time she steps onto the mat. But how does she carry this practice into her everyday life – home, on the go, office? more to come.....

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:27 AM | 0 comments

8 limbs of yoga & the modern girl

welcome to 2005! let the new year allow for an expansion of practice on and off the mat. each moment truly can be a moment of potential practice. although many people think that yoga is simply the practice of poses, yoga goes much deeper into what is coined the "8 limbs" of yoga. in order for the hip tranquil chick to truly embody her yoga, she works to incorporate the eight limbs of yoga into her lifestyle.

the yamas (restraints) are the ethical foundation of the hip tranquil chick’s yoga practice and are discussed in detail in an earlier blog. these restraints are ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), bramacharya (sexual moderation), and aparigraha (non-greed). the yamas are attitudes and actions to avoid and, according to patanjali, are practiced in order to reduce suffering.

the niyamas (observances) are an expansion of the yamas and are also discussed in an earlier blog. these observances are tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (study of self), samtosha (contentment), isvara pranidanah (devotion to god), and saucha (purity). these observances are actions and attitudes she should cultivate to reduce suffering and to lessen the illusion of separation internally (with self) and externally (with others and the world around her).

asana is the third limb on the eight-limbed yoga system and is commonly erroneously considered the essence of yoga. the hip tranquil chick knows that yoga goes deeper than the physical practice of poses but was probably introduced to the depth of the practice through asana. asana translates as “seat” and is used to release her overactive mind and tune into her body. this stillness encourages separation from her thoughts and never ending to-do lists. patanjali also teaches that asana should be practiced with ease, a symbolic reminder to remain calm in the midst of challenge. the relevance of seeking stillness in activity and ease in difficulty translates into the hip tranquil chick’s practice of yoga off the mat.

pranayama is next on the system and is the control of the breath/life energy. for basic breath work ideas, please see previous blogs for the 3-part yogic breath. a BIG helper while standing in lines, squeezed onto the metro, waiting on an annual review, and centering during yoga.

pratayahara is the withdrawal of the senses and allows her to participate in a chaotic world without always reacting to it. the hip tranquil chick knows that living in a cave presents an easier way to practice her yoga without interruption but practicing in her urban work and play environment is more challenging.

the remaining three limbs are referred to as “the innermost quest” and are more subtle aspects of yoga practice. however, when dharana and dyana are practiced together, the hip tranquil chick is able to focus her mind in a way that assists her personally and professionally.

dharana, concentration, is the ability to be completely present to one thing. in a culture that respects multi-tasking, practicing dharana can be a challenge. the hip tranquil chick works to find balance between being connected and present to each task at hand while also being efficient. she is able to recognize feeling frazzled or non-present and works to remedy that by taking a time out, regrouping, and enjoying the moment she is in.

dynana, meditation, is a deep connection. by sitting still and tuning inward, she is quickly reminded how busy her “chitta,” translated as monkey, mind can be. just as a monkey travels from limb to limb through a forest, her mind travels from thought to thought. stopping to notice the mind’s chatter and releasing attachment to those thoughts – observing, letting them happen without holding onto them or pushing them away – allows for her to deeply connect to the internal workings of her mind.

samadhi, enlightenment, is the final limb and is the experience of complete wholeness. this can happen for the hip tranquil chick when she is in the flow, completely absorbed in the moment, separation is not an issue, and she feels fully in touch with the present.

but what does all this mean to you and your modern, urban life?

OMwork • take one week to focus on each of the eight limbs of yoga. choose one each week and stay mindful of how the practice of that limb affects your choices, observations, impressions, and actions. write about your experience with a detailed description of what that limb looks, feels, tastes, smells and sounds like to you after a week of deep connection to it. here's to a 2005 with a focus on living life consciously, fully, and chicly.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:22 AM | 0 comments