HTC: November 27, 2005



Welcome to the ninth edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle on & off the mat. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast consists today’s podcast consists of a restorative way to celebrate the holidays, and more fabulous podsafe music - Symmetrical Angels Part 2 by 2-RD. (Note Louis the Pug snoring throughout the entire podcast!) View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

Restorative poses to help keep you fresh throughout the holidays

This sequence is perfect for rejuvenating over the holidays and can be done in a few minutes or, if you can carve out the space, savor this sequence for at least 30 minutes!

Extra doses of tranquility include a silk lavender-filled eyepillow, a scented candle burning nearby, the phone turned off, rosebud salve on your lips, a lush pillow or blanket nearby, and a yummy essential oil rubbed onto your temples. Have a blanket or bolster nearby for #4-6.

1. Begin on your back and extend your legs up the wall. For a shoulder opener, bring the arms up over your head and reach for opposite elbows. Notice your breath and feel the body soften.









2. For a variation, open your legs to a wide V.








3. For another variation, bend your knees and place the soles of the feet together. Stay here as long as feels good.










4. Take a blanket or bolster and roll it tightly lengthwise. Place the blanket vertically behind your tailbone, and lie back over the blanket. Let your arms splay out to the sides or up over your head.





5. Place the blanket horizonally under the shoulderblades (at your bra line) and roll back over the blanket. This one is a huge heart opener and so powerful.






6. Come to child's pose but gring your big toes together and open your knees wide. Place the blanket in between the knees and rest over the blanket(s), turn your head to either side.






Closing:
Share your thoughts with me at Kimberly@tranquilspace.com and visit www.tranquilspace.com and www.hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration.

Thanks for joining me for the ninth edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podast. Namaste.

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

Download the episode directly here (mp3).

Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available.

Use this link to subscribe with your favorite podcatcher.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:10 AM | 1 comments

A friend sent me this link, and as a huge Oprah fan, I decided to share my story and encourage you to do the same.

The Oprah website reads, "Are you a "30-something" year old woman living in the United States? The Oprah show is working on a program comparing the lives of female 30-somethings living in different parts of the country. From city slickers to those out in the Great Plains... we want to hear what your life is all about. What do you do for a living? Are you married? Do you have children? What's your favorite meal? What do you do for fun? What makes your life interesting to someone who has never been to your neck of the woods? What are your goals? What are your fears? Are your 30's what you expected them to be? Are you happy with your life? We're looking for women in their 30's from ALL walks of life in the USA! If you would like to be considered for this show, please write to us in the space below. Please use as much detail as possible... and tell us what makes your life typical, or different, from other 30-somethings in your area. If you write to us, please be prepared to tell your story on camera! Tell us what life is like in your part of America!"

posted by kimberly wilson @ 6:24 PM | 0 comments

happy saturday after thanksgiving! what a lovely four days of less e-mail, little traffic, and abundant parking in the city! although my to-do list seems to have grown exponentially, i love the slower pace of the holidays when expectations are fewer (despite the craziness at the malls!).

i wanted to share an incredibly thoughtful gesture that i received recently from my publisher, inner ocean, based in hawaii. these lovely flowers were flown in from hawaii by their staff with a lovely welcome note. i am delighted to have found such a gracious, entrepreneurial publisher who seems to have gotten the hip tranquil chick concept. as i continue to carry the theme of gratitude into the weekend, i wanted to express thankfulness for my publishing path taking me to this house. it is my understanding that they only pick 12 new books a year, and hip tranquil chick is set to be released for holiday season 2006!

how precious it is to find people who "get" you, appreciate you, and take the time to make you feel special. may we all have this in our lives.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 7:35 PM | 0 comments

it's officially the holidays and the merriment of it is everywhere. we'll be bringing some home as we're heading out to the country on sunday to cut our own tree. i grew up with an artificial tree, and thanksgiving evening is when we'd pull it all out of storage to "deck the halls." no sense in wasting time, we started early! when a friend introduced me to the joy of a live tree, i haven't gone back. the thrill of the hunt - choosing a tree, sawing it down (i read that for every tree cut, three more are planted so i lost the guilt), watching it get bundled, hauling it home, and placing the ornaments strategically. there is nothing like the smell of an evergreen or fir tree to help make the season bright. the amount of joy gained from this experience is immeasurable.

as we approach the craziness of the holiday season, i encourage you to take a little time to review your year. it's a fun task to do at your birthday and towards the end of the year. why not begin collecting mementos, photos, and memories? create a list of the year - note highlights, lessons learned, missions accomplished, and "ones to ponder." by reviewing our actions and emotions, we're sure to learn more about ourselves, and take action steps to make changes. begin making your list and enjoy checking it twice through review and introspection.

happy, happy holidays!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:41 PM | 0 comments

HTC: November 23, 2005



Welcome to the eighth edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle on & off the mat. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast consists of a non-exhaustive list of what I’m grateful for, creative ways on expressing gratitude, a juicy and detoxifying pose of the podcast, and more fabulous podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

A few of my favorite things - from the miniscule to the gradiose:
- my yoga practice
- smell of lavender
- silk eyepillows
- soft sheets
- the women's movement
- my childhood camp fire group
- lush bath bomb filled bathing experiences
- milk chocolate with caramel
- smiling strangers
- blazing fire complete with easy fire logs
- girl scout thin mints
- scented candles
- tim, my oh-so-supportive beau
- louis, my oh-so-darling pug
- the tranquil space team, all who have contributed to making tranquil space what it is today
- the tranquil space community, especially those students who began with me in my living room
- pecan pie with whipped cream
- my Oklahoma values
- leopard print
- my cozy condo
- grilled tofu
- peanut sauce
- the color pink
- the new magazine pink
- down duvets
- champagne
- chamomile tea
- living in the US
- my treo phone
- my rock star 93-year-old gramma who e-mails
- mum and pops
- my education
- my large library of inspiring texts (podcast #7 for selection)
- smell and spirit of christmas
- my fave feline bonnard
- wireless internet

Create ways to express gratitude:
1. Say “thank you” in a timely fashion – e-mail or handwritten
2. Clip articles that will appeal to a friend, send it in a handwritten note
3. Give the gift of a pedi
4. Send an e-card
5. Leave post-it notes waiting for your pal, partner or colleague's arrival

Pose of the Podcast: seated twist.

Closing:
Share your thoughts with me at Kimberly@tranquilspace.com and visit www.tranquilspace.com and www.hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration. To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe tunes– music by new, unsigned artists to help share their art. Today’s selection is Love Survives by Lovespirals from the podsafe music network.

Thanks for joining me for the eighth edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podast. Namaste.

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

Download the episode directly here (mp3).

Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available.

Use this link to subscribe with your favorite podcatcher.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 1:39 AM | 1 comments

I've just returned from a weekend in NYC and, it's official, the holidays are here! Rather than approaching the season with an exhausted list of to-dos, let this year be different. Light a balsam fir-scented candle, draw a cinnamon-scented bath (LUSH makes a great one called Hot Java that has actual cinnamon sticks inside), play some of your fave Sinatra holiday tunes, and turn off your cell phone. Take some time before the rush overcomes you to reflect on the year, the reason for the season, and honor the fabulous hip tranquil chick you are through these five fabulous tips:

1. Write down your milestones in 2005 (ex. new hair color, left an unhappy relationship, said “no” to mom, took up a yoga habit), and note what you’d like your milestones to be this time 2006 (ex. Query letter sent to publishers, relocate, paid off retail therapy debt, cut out fast food).
2. Instead of giving gifts this year, give experiences. For example, has your best friend been dying to see a new exhibit at the Phillips Collection? Give her a coupon for a complimentary afternoon on the date of her choice to peruse the exhibit, dine in the museum café, and catch up. Experiences last so much longer than yet another strawberry flavored lip gloss.
3. Get into the spirit of giving to yourself. Take the time to decorate and relish in the festivities. Even if you have a tiny studio apartment, buy a fresh wreath or rosemary tree to nurture your senses, simmer apple cider on the stove, and invite some of your fave friends over to sing carols, roast marshmallows, or watch Love Actually.
4. Share your resources with those in need. There are many ways to volunteer and be of service during this sacred time of the year. What is close to your heart? You can sponsor a child or family for the holiday and buy a couple items to help make their day special through various local organizations. How about fostering a new dog or cat? What about becoming a big sister? Or even donating some of your time to a local shelter such as House of Ruth. Visit a nursing home and watch their faces light up!
5. Strategically plan for the busyness of the season. Avoid prime time shopping that is sure to send you into a frenzy. Take a mental health day from the office if you must but, whatever you do, don’t hit the stores on the weekends. Shop online, ship the items gift wrapped, and only say “yes” to festivities you’re excited to attend. If you travel, drink plenty of water, take stretch breaks, load up on Vitamin C, and allow time of the front and back end to recover from the trip before resuming your regular routine.

Cheers to living in the moment, connecting with loved ones, and relishing in the spirit of giving. Here’s to the holidays! (picture a raised martini glass with a festive gold bow tied around the stem, filled with a delicious cosmopolitan or cranberry juice, topped off with a sliver of an orange)

posted by kimberly wilson @ 2:47 AM | 0 comments

Welcome to the seventh edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle on & off the mat. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

I wanted to share an e-mail from a fellow HTC in California:”I just got a Nano and have been listening to your podcasts. Ack -- where's the one for this week!! I want more! I love your tips and insights .... the pose of the podcast .... even hearing the dog or cat make background noise. And enjoy the music you play at the end. I've played a couple of the podcasts over a few times. It helps me relax at night and reminds me to attempt to do one yoga pose at home when I can't get to class. The podcasts remind me that there is more to life than work ... easy to forget!”

Thank YOU for writing and so happy to hear that this podcast is speaking to you and others who have taken the time to write! More animal sounds on this one too. My pug gets a little excited when I'm not paying 100% attention to him, and the cat almost knocks the computer off at one point, so you're in for a treat.

Today’s podcast consists of a potpourri of my fave inspirational books, a delicious pose of the podcast, and more fabulous podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

A few of my fave resources for inspiration:

- the artist's way by julia cameron
- the e-myth by michael gerber
- simple abundance by sarah ban breathnach
- living your yoga by judith lasater
- SEED handbook by lynne franks
- 3 black skirts by anna johnson
- all books by SARK
- the four agreements by don miguel ruiz
- the wisdom of no escape and the path of loving kindness by pema chodren
- 12 secrets of highly creative women by gail mcmeekin
- living out loud by keri smith

Pose of the Podcast: baddha konasana. A variation is supta baddha konasana (one of my absolute fave poses!).

Closing:
Share your thoughts with me at Kimberly@tranquilspace.com and visit www.tranquilspace.com and www.hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration. To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe tunes– music by new, unsigned artists to help share their art. Today’s selection is In a Long Time by 46 Bliss from the podsafe music network.

Thanks for joining me for the seventh edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podast. Namaste.

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

Download the episode directly here (mp3).

Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available.

Use this link to subscribe with your favorite podcatcher.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:28 PM | 0 comments

i was hoping to blog and podcast from the omega yoga conference in miami but the Internet connection was so sporadic. maybe it was a sign to disconnect for a few days! either way, this was tranquiliT's best tradeshow yet. yoginis loved the cross front tunics in the pucci-inspired print, tie tops and velvet capris. it is such a treat to be in an environment with great energy swirling around constantly. as a vendor, you begin at 8am and end at 9pm so there is little down time. however, while the shoppers were in class, i was able to sneak away for a practice with jonny kest and sarah powers, along with chanting with krishna das.

i find sarah powers to be one of the most authentic, gentle, and inspiring teachers i've met. i took her yin class which focused on letting go of reactivity which is a large focus of yin - where you soften into poses like pigeon and baddha konasana for 3+ minutes to open and awaken connective tissue. she mentioned three keys of yin yoga that i think are applicable to our daily life:

1. find your appropriate edge
2. let go
3. stay for awhile

she also mentioned that if you're not seeing tolerance and forgiveness show up in your relationshiops, then your practice is awry. namely, if we're not noticing growth in how we react to ourselves and others, what is the point of our practice? as i sign off to prepare for the next podcast and to do some writing for the book, i want to leave you with this profound thought - what changes in your reactions are you seeing from your practice?

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:24 AM | 0 comments

a BIG thank you for the wonderful feedback i have received from podcast listeners. i LOVE hearing from you and welcome any requests, feedback, etc. as i gear up for this weekend's yoga conference in miami, i'm delighted to share that the next podcast will be done on location at the conference. please check back later this week for a fun, new edition of the hip tranquil chick podcast.

in the meantime, please enjoy the attached photo as a reminder to savor the unexpected pleasures of life.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:22 PM | 1 comments

i have just returned from three days with mum and gramma. we hung out in the backlands of louisiana (where gramma ended up after outliving her second husband). this photo is from our first day spent at the louisiana state fair. after riding the carousel (got a free second ride because the operator loved gramma), we walked the exhibits (feed the tiger, ride the camel, see who won "best apron"), and i was dying to have one of the old time photos done. note the lovely attached photo!

i haven't returned home to my roots for three years. for some reason i feel torn between who i am and who i came from. at times it is comforting (hence our multiple wal-mart trips, my love of the friendly check-out people everywhere, dining at sonic drive-in on friday night), at other times it is disconcerting (overhearing a 19-year-old discuss her marriage, baby and divorce at the age of 16 at the state fair, noting that feathered bangs are still tre cool, and the confederacy and dogmatic belief that there is only one faith is still highly revered).

i was introduced to the story of bonnie and clyde during this "lillian reunion" (gramma's name - reunion originated in 1998), and am fascinated with this crazy couple. we even went to their museum and moneument (where the ambush took place). the interesting piece about this outlaw couple is that many people of that time respected them because they were speaking out (severely) against those who were to protect citizens at a time when there was little trust in law enforcement. their whole story is mesmerizing. i love being introduced to new stories. more to come on this crazy couple - gotta watch the hollywood movie.

i share all this with you as a fun reminder of who we are, who we came from, the importance of returning to that place, but also distinguishing how we relate to THAT place. for example, when i attend garden club with gramma, everyone is introduced as "mrs. fred smith." um, i'll bet she has a REAL name. how about ms. beatrice stotlar? that was probably who she was before she married fred smith!! cultures are so different between generations, and especially between areas of the country. it is fun to observe.

may you all have moments of pleasure in wal-mart, sonic drive-ins, dressing up with gramma, giggling over name calling (we tortured gramma on friday which is council on aging day. gramma was nervous that we were arriving late so we drove past the coucil on purpose and gramma yelled "stupid woman" to mama - something we've NEVER heard. we clearly pushed her limits. NEVER be late to your $1 lunch at the homer, LA council on aging!), and dining at a drive-in on friday night. yes, my roots are truly a welcomed and comforting blast from the past.

p.s. gramma is 93 and is STILL rockin'. she e-mails, and i spent my last 1.5 hours introducing her to google (you can research sciatica!), and the joys of sending e-cards. god bless my gramma! if you have a cute, avante garde grandpa, send his info my way. gramma has many more spry years left!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 8:57 PM | 2 comments

hip tranquil chick podcast #6

Intro: Sixth edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle on & off the mat. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

Exciting news: we were featured on Adam Curry’s Podfinder Podcast last week. Pretty exciting for our young podcast. Today’s podcast consists of 10 self-care tips for today’s busy girl, a delicious pose of the podcast, and, as always, we’re closing it off with some fabulous podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

Self-care tips for today's busy girl:
1. set boundaries
2. when in doubt, draw a hot bubble bath
3. cultivate an attitude of gratitude
4. sleep in
5. touch
6. pay attention to sensations
7. be less reactionary
8. begin your holiday shopping now
9. practice yoga daily
10. release expectations
Closing:
Share your thoughts with me at kimberly@tranquilspace.com and visit tranquilspace.com and hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration. To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe tunes– music by new, unsigned artists to help share their art. Today’s selection, perfect for your down dog practicing, is String Groove by Anthems of a Bygone Era from the podsafe music network.

Thanks for joining me for the sixth edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podast.

• New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.
• Download the episode directly here (mp3).
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available.
• Use this link to subscribe with your favorite podcatcher.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 2:19 AM | 3 comments