to love yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. ~ oscar wilde

welcome to a month focused on love, filled with tasty carnation hearts, chilly weather, and whispers of adoration--all topped off with loads of pink and red. i like to think of an underlying theme for february as self-love. even if you don't have a valentine, love can still be your focus this month by allowing the focus to turn inward. as a favorite julia cameron quote suggests, "there is a direct connection between self-nurturing and self-respect." ensure you're loving yourself fully this month by engaging in oodles of self-care.

as a girl who is constantly on the go, i find that taking the time to practice self-care can have profound results, especially during a dreary month like february. a few simple, yet sanity-saving tools are journal writing, getting a massage, practicing yoga, sitting still (aka meditating), having a good heart-to-heart with a trusted girlfriend, taking hot baths, steeping green tea, and doing things differently. what works for you? do you find yourself saying, "oh, if only i had time for that!" how can you carve out more time for these things? yes, of course we all know that this is important, but how can we translate this knowing into doing? THAT is the important question!

reflect on the eight main areas of your life: work, health, romance, social life, home, finances, spirituality, creativity. rate them 1-10 (1 being low, 10 being high). ultimately, we're looking for balance among our various pieces. if your social life is thriving but your finances and work is flailing, it's time to regroup. if you're filled with spiritual bliss but your home and romance is a mess, things are out of balance.

yoga means union and we're seeking union within our mind, body, and spirit. i know that sounds all well and good, but you're probably wondering how to actually translate this into action. use your practice of yoga to reflect. set intentions for the eight areas of your life mentioned above. take small action steps to improve your level of happiness in each area.

creating balance within your life is the ultimate way to live your yoga practice. asana is only one of the eight limbs of yoga. the others involve meditation, living the moral codes such as non-violence and truth, and breathing consciously.

reflect on the ways that your yoga can become a practice in self-care this month. when you're on the mat, engage in compassionate self-talk. when you're in a difficult situation, focus on the healing three-part yogic breath. when you're feeling congested or a bit down, break out your back bends. may february reconnect you to a sense of wholeness and self-love coupled with lifelong romance.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 3:24 PM | 0 comments

1. Document what you are responding to regularly. *journal/sketchbook, blog, listmaking, photo journal, bulletin board collage, internet bookmarks, Allow yourself to go deeper into an idea. Find influence outside of your field. Consider that you are ALWAYS working for yourself.

2. Start to challenge yourself on a regular basis to try new things, (not just for work. *i.e. new foods, colors, processes, classes, travel, become a guerilla artist, etc. Your hobbies are your greatest source of play.)

3. Go back to your childhood, (the formative years). What were your favourite things to do? In this lies some clues as to where you want to focus your energy as an adult. What makes you burst with energy?

4. Do something that is not for money. For your own enjoyment. (Your greatest work will come from here!)
*examples…
-newsletter
-zine
-website
-x-mas card
-product concept
-toys
-gifts for friends.
Design for yourself. *See handout on guerilla art.

5. Use sources that are based on your daily life. Your life IS your art. What are the things that are most important in your current life?

6. Become a collector. Collecting allows us to look at one thing in a contemplative & mindful way. Giving you new insights and perceptions. Examples: Maria Kalman -purse contents, Steven Guarnaccia -shoe sole rubbings, Ian Phillips & Grant Heaps -Lost & Found pet posters, Mark Ulriksen (former art director) -misspellings of his name, Charles & Rae Eames -toys from other countries

7. "Pay no attention to the man behind that curtain." Ignore what other people are doing. It has no bearing on your existence or vision of the world. The times we feel the most discouraged are usually due to the fact we are comparing ourselves to others. Most times reading awards annuals, and industry mags only serves to make us feel inadequate. Try cutting it out entirely. Designer Bruce Mau recommends not entering awards competitions. His reasoning, “Just don’t do it, it’s not good for you.”

8. Don't promote to target your audience. By all means send things out into the world, but don't think in terms of "promoting to get work". Send stuff out because -you're proud of it, -you want to share something with the world, -it's fun to get mail, -to have good karma, -you want to spread your germs, -you like licking stamps. Try sending a postcard of something you made for fun, (i.e. directions on how to make a finger puppet). When thinking of subject matter for promotions look to your current life. If you deal with topics that are important to you a piece will have much more life to it.

9. Take a lighthearted approach (Don't take yourself too seriously). If you feel stuck, you can always reinvent yourself, (re: try something else).

10. Study other artists or creators who followed their own vision. Research.

Visit kerismith.com for more fun musings.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:06 PM | 0 comments

HTC: January 29, 2006



Intro: Welcome to the 17h edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast is on creativity, along with a pose of the podcast, book suggestions, and more festive podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenly, divinely aware.--Henry Miller

Creativity: the ability to use the imagination to develop new and original ideas or things, especially in an artistic context

Doing things Differently

Determine Creative Dream

Establish Micromovements

How to Be an Artist by SARK
Stay loose. Learn to watch snails. Plant an impossible garden.
Invite someone dangerous to tea.
Make little signs that say 'yes'! and post them all over your house.
Make friends with freedom and uncertainty.
Look forward to dreams. Cry during movies.
Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight.
Cultivate moods. Refuse to "be responsible."
Do it for love. Take lots of naps.
Give money away. Do it now... The money will follow.
Believe in magic. Laugh a lot.
Celebrate every gorgeous moment. Take moon baths.
Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams, and perfect calm.
Draw on the walls. Read every day.
Imagine yourself Magic. Giggle with children. Listen to old people.
Bless yourself. Play with everything.
Entertain your inner child. You are innocent.
Build a fort with blankets. Get wet.
Hug a tree. Write love letters.

Fave Creativity Books:
Living Out Loud by Keri Smith (her webpage)
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin
Make Your Creative Dreams Real by SARK (her webpage)

Pose of the Podcast: Warrior II
Closing: Thanks for all your show ideas! Please continue to share your thoughts, needs, challenges, and suggestions from your hip tranquil chick path with me at kimberly@tranquilspace.com. Visit www.tranquilspace.com and www.hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration.

Sign up for the tranquiliT times at hiptranquilchick.com.

To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe music that is by new and independent artists who are sharing their music through podcasting from the Podsafe Music Network. Today’s selection is Old Death by Sleeper’s Opera. You can learn more this week's featured artist, including how to get more of their music, at their PMN page.

Thanks for joining me for the 17th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste!

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen right now (mp3).

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

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 @ 10:06 PM | 0 comments

Looking for a fun way to connect to hip and entrepreneurial Washingtonians? I always love connecting with like-minded women, especially when I come away from an event with new ideas or feeling inspired. As a featured Ladies Who Launch in June 2004, I am honored to be associated with a great group on women looking to mingle, support, and inspire one another. Come here me, Mary Moslander of LiveHealthier.com, and Priscilla Stephan of Bakana LLC speak at the first Ladies Who Launch Speaker Series in Washington, DC! The event will feature Annie Lou Bayly, the DC Editor of Daily Candy, as she tells her tale of a career in one of the most successful new media companies in the country.

When: February 15th from 6 to 8:30 pm
Where: Mazza Gallery Club Cinema, located at 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW.
Cost: The cost is $40, or $50 at the door. Includes a goodie bag with a treat from Tranquil Space.
More scoop: Visit Ladies Who Launch or call 703.465.5118 to learn more.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 8:40 PM | 0 comments

i'm totally out of hand. (ok, in a tame kinda way) i'm writing today from jolt n' bolt--a darling little cafe around the corner from my condo. i've lived here for 1.5 years and this is my first time venturing out, turning the corner, and setting up shop at the cafe. why did i wait so long?

since i wrote about doing things differently on wednesday, i've been a "doing things differently machine." i can't recommend this highly enough. last night i had my beau meet me at krammers for "date night" (yep, when you've dated this long, you gotta set up official date nights or you succumb to e-mailing together all night and then going to bed. kinda lame). i enjoyed a tasty cheese plate and sauvignon blanc with the palatte and nose of grapefruit. yum! and today, i began with cleaning out my armoire to make more space for my numerous idea and fabric swatch files, now writing at the cafe. an amazing day thus far.

who would have thought that throwing a little change into one's life could bring such pleasure? well, i'm here to exclaim that it can! i hope you have a chance to try this best kept secret out over the weekend. here's to continued ways to spice things up! oh, and you GOTTA love coming across free WIFI when you're out doing things differently! ahhh, life is good.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 2:24 PM | 0 comments

I came across this great list on yogajournal.com and thought it was a great reminder of "on the mat" etiquette. enjoy!

Yoga Class Dos and Don'ts

Use these tips to get the most out of the yoga classes you attend.

By Tim Noworyta

Here are some ways to get more out of the yoga classes you attend:

DO arrive early. Getting to class about 10 minutes early can help you settle in and align your attitude with the purpose of the class. While you're waiting you can practice a pose, do a few stretches, or just sit or lie quietly, breathe, and get centered.

DON'T eat for two or three hours before class. If you practice yoga on a full stomach, you might experience cramps, nausea, or vomiting, especially in twists, deep forward bends, and inversions. Digesting food also takes energy that can make you lethargic.

DO let your teacher know about injuries or conditions that might affect your practice. If you are injured or tired, skip poses you can't or shouldn't do, or try a modified version.

DO create an intention. To help you focus, you might find it helpful to dedicate your practice to a certain intention. This might be to become more aware and understanding, more loving and compassionate, or healthier, stronger, and more skillful. Or it might be for the benefit of a friend, a cause—or even yourself.

DON'T bring pagers or cell phones to class. Leave socializing and business outside the studio, so the peace of the practice is not disturbed.

DO be quiet. It's great to share a class with people you know, but it can be distracting to yourself and others to have an extended or loud conversation.

DO bring a towel or your own mat if you sweat a lot, and arrive clean and free of scents that might distract or offend others.

DON'T push it. Instead of trying to go as deeply or completely into a pose as others might be able to do, do what you can without straining or injuring yourself. You'll go farther faster if you take a loving attitude toward yourself and work from where you are, not from where you think you should be.

DO pick up and neatly put away any props you use.

DON'T enter class late or leave early; it's disruptive to others.

DO take time afterwards to think about what you did in class, so you can retain what you learned. Review the poses you practiced, and note any instructions that particularly made sense. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you'll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:42 AM | 2 comments

i'm writing as i sit sipping a kiwi pear green tea at the books a million cafe on dupont circle. since i'm such a proponent of doing things differently, i decided i should walk my talk. i'm such a creature of habit that i am somewhat scheduled in my routine of moving between studio and home. so the past few days i've been trying to shake it up.

for my 2-year anniversary on sunday my beau and i indulged in a champagne brunch at the kennedy center instead of a typical dinner out. i took the monday night yoga 3 with siobhan rather than working from home. then i had a solo creativity date and headed to browse at the bookstore for 1.5 hours (my fave thing to do next to taking baths and doing yoga). tuesday was a typical 10-hour studio day with 3 more hours of writing and e-mailing at home so it wasn't as creative. but today i'm so proud of myself because i took the noon class, handled some studio stuff, had a meeting with my managing director, and then instead of heading home to do more writing, i shimmied over to books a million to do it differently.

i share this with you because i'm sure you can relate. some days seem so rote. get up, drink tea, eat granola, get dressed, walk dog, check e-mail, go to work, eat lunch, go home, eat dinner, walk dog, work some more, go to sleep. how to add a bit more flair? i think that taking tiny steps to vary your routine can do wonders for your outlook. it has mine. sipping kiwi pear green tea is way more fun than my usual green tea. writing while out and about watching people has its mystery over writing secluded in the comfort of my own home.

although i definitely believe in the power of spicing things up, trying it in these simple ways over the past few days has done wonders for my psyche. think of five small way you can do things differently. watch what it does for your overall attitude. observe synchronicities. notice small wonders. life is full of them, especially when we take the time to do things differently.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 6:03 PM | 0 comments

since i'm such a supporter of self-nurturing (this has been my easiest chapter to write thus far), i wanted to share a suggestion for a very indulgent escape: yoga in the tropical paradise of tobago march 23-30, 2006. i've heard sooo much about this beautiful island that i can't wait to explore it.

here's all the scoop:
escape the city to join me and lisa farmer-richards for a week-long yoga retreat at paradise point villa in the caribbean island of tobago--part of the tropical two island nation of trinidad - tobago. view photos. retreaters will stay on the beach at the luxurious angel apartments and dine, do yoga, and mingle off the mat at paradise point villa.

wake up your body and spirit with inspirational yoga overlooking the spectacular caribbean sea and rainforests of the caribbean west indies. lisa and i will provide two rejuvenating daily yoga classes as we revel in nature’s true beauty. morning meditation will also be offered. in your free time, which includes one full free day, take advantage of tobago’s many activities including hiking, diving, swimming, or bird-watching.

cost is $1200 double occupancy, $1500 single occupancy, and includes yoga, meditation, yummy food, lodging, and local transportation. airfare is additional. dc yogis: drect flights are available from dulles. to register, visit tranquil space.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:31 PM | 0 comments

HTC: January 22, 2006



Welcome to the 16th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast is on getting started with yoga (thanks to a listener's request!), along with our pose of the podcast, and more festive podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

Yoga 101

History – over 5000 years old, translates as union, balance of mind/body/spirit, Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali 200 years ago are the basis of yoga philosophy--aim of yoga is to quite the fluctuations of the mind

8 limbs of yoga - yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dyana, samadhi

Yamas (restraintsa) – ahimsa, satya, asteya, bramacharya, aparigraha

Niyamas (observance) – saucha, samtosha, austerity, self-study, devotion to the Lord

Benefits soooo many!

Getting Started – need a yoga mat, book, video, or cd, comfy clothes, create space at home

Finding a Teacher/Studio

Recommended Resources: Newbie Yogi CD by Kimberly Wilson, Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater, The Joy of Yoga edited by Jennifer Willis, Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic by Darren Main (interviewed in htc #2), and OM Yoga by Cyndi Lee

Pose of the Podcast: utkatasana twist

Closing: Thanks for all your show ideas! Please continue to share your thoughts, needs, challenges, and suggestions from your hip tranquil chick path with me at kimberly@tranquilspace.com. Visit www.tranquilspace.com and www.hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration.

Sign up for the tranquiliT times at hiptranquilchick.com.

To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe music from garageband.com. Today’s selection is Firefly by Karmacoda. You can learn more this week's featured artist at Karmacoda.com and their page at garageband.com

Thanks for joining me for the 16th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste.

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen right now (mp3).

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

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 @ 8:42 PM | 0 comments

SARK is truly one of my favorite mentors (although she has no idea i exist). i've been reading her since i came across her lovely handwritten, colorful books a decade ago. for a burst of inspiration, visit her fabulous webiste campsark.

here is one of my fave pieces from her:

how to be an artist by SARK
Stay loose. Learn to watch snails. Plant an impossible Garden.
Invite someone dangerous to tea.
Make little signs that say 'yes'! and post them all over your house.
Make friends with freedom and uncertainty.
Look forward to Dreams. Cry during movies.
Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight.
Cultivate moods. refuse to "be responsible".
Do it for love. Take lots of naps.
Give money away. Do it now... The money will follow.
Believe in Magic. Laugh a lot.
Celebrate every gorgeous moment. Take moon baths.
have wild imaginings, Transformative Dreams, and perfect calm.
Draw on the walls. Read every day.
Imagine yourself Magic. Giggle with children. Listen to old people.
Bless yourself. Play with everything.
Entertain your inner child. You are innocent.
Build a fort with blankets. Get wet.
Hug a tree. Write love letters.

Thank you SARK for your incredibly inspirational example of oozing creativity!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:17 AM | 0 comments

ahhh, yin yoga. the complete opposite of vinyasa (more yang-like) but sooo yummy! yoga journal has some great info on yin yoga that was written by the lovely paul grilley. the practice focuses on opening connective tissue and you hold the poses for extended periods of time. check out the poses below that paul recommends:

Yin Yoga Poses



By Paul Grilley

1. Dragon Pose (Yin Variation of Runner's Lunge)

Begin on all fours. Step your left foot up between your palms and ease your right knee back until you feel a stretch at the front of the thigh and groin. Lift your torso upright and rest your hands on your left knee for balance. Allow your right thigh to descend toward the floor, stimulating the stomach and spleen meridians at the front of the thigh. You may also feel this pose in the groin of the left leg, stimulating the kidney and liver meridians. You can experiment with challenging the ankle and Achilles tendon by bending the front leg more deeply. Once you've found a position you want to explore, remain still for 1-5 minutes. Repeat on the other side.

2. Seal Pose (Yin Variation of Bhujangasana)

Lie face down with your hands on the floor in front of and to the sides of your shoulders, fingers pointing out at about a 45 degree angle. Every body is different, so you'll need to experiment to find the best hand placement, the distance you prefer between your legs, and the amount you engage or release the spinal muscles. In Seal, unlike traditional Bhujangasana, it's fine to support your weight on your arms and release your spine. You can also let your shoulders move up and forward unless your neck feels pinched; this pose focuses on arching the lower spine. Hold for at least a minute, working up to 5 minutes. Seal Pose stretches the front of the abdomen, gently stimulating the Manipura Chakra, the plexus of the meridians that control digestion.

3. Saddle Pose (Yin Variation of Supta Virasana)

Sit on your feet with your knees spread comfortably apart (more than hip-width but not so far you stretch the inner groins). Lower your torso back toward the floor, supporting yourself on your elbows, your head, or if you're quite flexible, the backs of your shoulders. If you feel too much strain in the lower back or if you want to focus more on stretching the feet and legs, sit between your feet instead of on them. You can increase the stretch by extending the arms overhead. Hold for at least a minute, eventually working up to 5 minutes or even more. To come out, lean or roll to the right and release the left leg; then lean or roll to the left and release the right leg. Saddle Pose stretches the feet, ankles, knees, thighs, sacrum, and lumbar spine. It also stimulates the digestive meridians of the legs—the stomach, spleen, and gall bladder meridians.

4. Square Pose (Yin Variation of Sukhasana)

Sit cross-legged with your left shin on the floor, roughly parallel to your torso, and your right shin on top of the left, the right outer ankle resting on top of the left thigh near the knee. Try not to let the foot sickle, straining the outer ankle. This pose stretches the connective tissue of the outer thighs and buttocks, stimulating the kidney, liver, and gall bladder meridians. If possible, bend forward to provide a stretch for the lower spine. As with all yin poses, start out conservatively, taking a position you can gradually deepen for 3-5 minutes, rather than starting with a more aggressive pose you'll need to back out of.

5. Forward Bend (Yin Variation of Paschimottanasana)

Sit with both legs stretched straight out in front of you about hip-width apart or narrower. Drop your chin toward your chest to stretch the muscles and ligaments at the base of the skull; then lean forward and try to grasp your ankles or feet. Allow your thigh bones to move toward the floor but keep your thighs relaxed. Let your knees bend and your legs roll out slightly as long as you feel the stretch moving up along the legs, hips, and spine, all the way to the skull. Hold the pose for 3-5 minutes or even longer. Forward Bend provides a strong stimulus for the bladder meridian.

6. Snail Pose (Yin Variation of Halasana)

Lie on your back, lift your legs to 90 degrees, and then extend your feet back behind your head, rolling up onto your upper spine. If you're fairly stiff, it may take you several months to bring your feet to the floor. There are many possible ways to position your legs, back, and arms, but be careful in your experimentation. The less bulky connective tissues of the neck can be strained more easily than the thicker tissues in the thoracic spine. In each practice session, find the position you want to explore and settle in for 1-3 minutes.

7. Cross-legged Reclining Spinal Twist (Yin Variation of Jathara Parivartanasana)

Lie on you back and draw both legs halfway up toward your chest, knees bent. Cross the right leg over the left and then draw both legs to the left and toward the floor. The effects of the twist vary depending on how high up you draw your knees, so you should experiment with different positions. The arms should be stretched out along the floor at shoulder height, although you can also use the left hand to gently draw the knees toward the floor or increase the rotation of the rib cage to the right. Twist along the whole length of the spine, bringing the right shoulder toward the floor. Hold the pose for 1-2 minutes and then release and repeat on the other side.

Paul Grilley taught yoga for 13 years in Los Angeles, CA and now lives in Ashland, OR. He has studied Yin Yoga in Japan with Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama.

To read more about this amazing practice as told by Paul, click here.

To experience this phenomenal practice, join Danielle at Tranquil Space each Saturday from 3-4:30.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 2:08 PM | 0 comments

having returned to dc yesterday morning after an insane red eye, i still don't feel myself. those flights are inhumane! i'm smaller than your average adult and getting comfortable in those seats is next to impossible. i feel sorry for folks over 5'4" as it must be total torture. yes, there are far worse things to have happen to you--war, disease, death, loss, etc.--but i feel the need to exploit red eyes at the moment. probably because i still have red eyes from trying to catch up on sleep, return to my time zone, and juggle an approaching deadline with three more chapters due (in addition to the edits to my first 3), all while maintaining my "normal" schedule.

life is funny that way, there never seems to be enough time (to sleep, finish projects, get packed, you name it). it is the story of my father's life, "if only i had one more day," he'd always exclaim as mom pushed him out the door on another excursion. however, i like to remind myself that i am given 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week just like everyone else including people that do more in a day than some do in a lifetime - martha stewart, madonna, oprah - to name a few. it is totally up to me how i use that time. as i write my chapter on self-nurturing, i find myself envying the numerous tools i recommend. i want more time to journal write, for creative solo excursions, for organizing, for meditating. well, i'm the only one who can make sure i do these things so i'd better start now!

i've signed up for a meditation teleclass with my friend and managing director, gina--lord knows we need this class! that's one step towards red eye recovery and overall lifestyle improvement. i'd better get back to book writing as i have a 2-hour newbie knitting class tonight. this, too, is a step in the direction of life enhancement and self-nurturing. what small micromovement can you take to recovering from your own "red eye" (aka everyday exhaustion) this week?

posted by kimberly wilson @ 5:02 PM | 1 comments

HTC: January 16, 2006



Intro: Welcome to the 15th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle. On location in San Francisco at the Yoga Journal conference.

Today’s podcast is a muse on what is a hip tranquil chick, along with a happy hip opening pose of the podcast, and more festive podsafe music! View the shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com.

A hip tranquil chick is:
that girl we aspire to be. She juggles a busy life with grace, makes time for thoughtful gestures, gives of her resources, always has her best face forward, fills her body with nutritious treats, lives her practice, and lights up a room with her presence. She embodies traits we admire in others, and has all of these great attributes rolled into one well-balanced, chic and conscious chick!

Pose of the Podcast: Supta cow face pose

Closing: Did I miss what you envision of a hip tranquil chick? Share your thoughts, needs, and suggestions from your hip tranquil chick path with me at Kimberly@tranquilspace.com.

Visit tranquilspace.com and hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration. Sign up for the tranquiliT times at hiptranquilchick.com.

To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe music that is by new and independent artists who are sharing their music through podcasting. Today’s selection, perfect for your cow face practicing, is Fragile Space by Joy. You can learn more this week's featured artist, including how to get more of her music, at the podsafe music network.

Thanks for joining me for the 15th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste.

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen right now (mp3).

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

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 @ 1:22 AM | 2 comments

this was my second annual yoga journal conference in san francisco and i had a great lesson in surrendering expectations. while reading my fab girl seeks bliss book on the flight out, the author writes that the reason for so many of our drama is due to expectations. ah hah! what a fabulous point. as i approached my first west coast yoga conference with excitement, i quickly realized (as did all the other vendors) that this show was going to be slow. so, i decided to make the best of it. i snuck out of the tradeshow (leaving poor beau in the pink boutique) and took classes with david swenson and rusty wells, chatted with all the talented and fun vendors, edited my first three chapters of hip tranquil chick, and ate lots of haribo gummy bears.

can't say i felt a lot better after the bags of gummy bears (belly kinda ached) but i felt AMAZING after the yoga, of course!! david swenson helped me get back in touch with flying and floating--something he teaches so very well. rusty wells is a total rock star and he opened with "how ya'll doing?" ummmm, "how ya'll doing" is only said where i come from! i love that he translated his arkansas roots to his urban life in san fran. i've heard fabulous things about him for the past year and was truly delighted to be in his presence. he had a powerful effect on everyone in the room. he truly touched the students, made us laugh, and many were teary-eyed during shavasana when he played a sarah maclaughlin song.

although the show may not have been good for us 40 vendors stuck in the hotel basement, but by letting go of expectations and going with the flow, i was able to partake in an amazing flow with a teacher who inspired me beyond my expectations. ahhhh, expectations!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:35 PM | 0 comments

yep, sounds secretive, eh?

tomorrow at 6am i fly out to san fran to show tranquiliT at the yoga journal conference in san francisco. last year i was at this conference as a student and it's fun to reflect on the changes since last january. life really is so cyclical.

i'm looking forward to attending classes when, and if, i can (gotta persuade the beau to tend the ultra-feminine booth while i get my yoga on), listening to keynotes, and chatting with fellow hip tranquil chicks during the crazy 12-hour days.

stay tuned for a podcast from san fran this weekend. i haven't determined the subject-- we'll see where the muse takes me based on all the great energy that will surround us all. happy yogaing.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 8:27 PM |

i bought this absolutely darling book called living out loud last holiday season while exploring the lovely city of portland, maine. i looked up the author's website the other day and was intrigued. what fun, courageous, adventurous musings by this cute keri smith! enjoy this 100 ideas piece pulled from her site:

1. Go for a walk. Draw or list things you find on the the sidewalk. 2. Write a letter to yourself in the future. 3. Buy something inexpensive as a symbol for your need to create, (new pen, a tea cup, journal). Use it everyday. 4. Draw your dinner. 5. Find a piece of poetry you respond to. Rewrite it and glue it into your journal. 6. Glue an envelope into your journal. For one week collect items you find on the street. 7. Expose yourself to a new artist, (go to a gallery, or in a book.) Write about what moves you about it. 8. Find a photo of a person you do not know. Write a brief bio about them. 9. Spend a day drawing only red things. 10. Draw your bike. 11. Make a list of everything you buy in the next week. 12. Make a map of everywhere you went in one day. 13. Draw a map of the creases on your hand, (knuckles, palm) 14. Trace your footsteps with chalk. 15. Record an overheard conversation. 16. Trace the path of the moon in relation to where you live. 17. Go to a paint store. Collect 'chips' of all your favorite colors. 18. Draw your favorite tree. 19. Take 15 minutes to eat an orange. 20. Write a haiku. 21. Hang upside down for five minutes. 22. Hang found objects from tree branches. 23. Make a puppet. 24. Create an outdoor room from things you find in nature. 25. Read a book in one day. 26. Illustrate your grocery list. 27. Read a story out loud to a friend. 28. Write a letter to someone you admire. 29. Study the face of someone you do not like. 30. Make a meal based on a color theme. (i.e. all white). 31. Creat a museum of very small things. 32. List the smells in your neighborhood. 33. List 100 uses for a tin can. 34. Fill an entire page in your jounral with small circles. Color them in. 35. Give away something you love. 36. Choose an object, draw the side you can't see. 37. List all of the places you've ever lived. 38. Describe your favourite room in detail. 39. Write about your relationship with your washing machine. 40. Draw all of the things in your purse/bag. 41. Make a mini book based on the theme, "my grocery list". 42. Create a character based on someone you know. Write a list of personality traits. 43. Recall your favorite childhood game. 44. Put postcards of art pieces/painting on the inside of your kitchen cupboard doors, so you can see them everyday (but not become deaf to them.) 45. Draw the same object every day for a week. 46. Write in your journal using a different medium (brush & ink, charcoal, old typewriter, crayons, fat markers. 47. Draw the individual items of your favorite outfit. 48. Make a useful item using only paper & tape. 49. Research a celebration or ritual from another culture. 50. Do a temporary art installation using a pad of post it notes & a pen. 51. Draw a map of your favorite sitting spots in your town/city. (photocopy it and give it to someone you like.) 52. Record all of the sounds you hear in the course of one hours. 53. Using a grid, collect various textures from magazine and play them off of each other. 54. Cut out all media for one day. Write about the effects. 55. Make pencil rubbings of six different surfaces. 56. Draw your garbage. 57. Do a morning collage. 58. List your ten most important things, (not including animals or people.) 59. List ten things you would like to do every day. 60. Glue a photo of yourself as a child into your journal. 61. Trasform some garbage. 62. Write an entry in your journal in really LARGE letters. 63. Collect some 'flat' things in nature (leaves, flowers). Glue or tape them into your journal. 64. Physically alter a page. (i.e. cut a hole, pour tea on it, burn it, fold it, etc.) 65. Find several color combinations you respond to in public. Document them using swatches, write where you found them. 66. Write a journal entry describing something "secret". Cut it up into several pieces and glue them back in scrambled. 67. Record descriptions or definitions of subjects or words you are interested in, found in encyclopedias or dictionaries. 68. Draw the outline of an object without looking at the page. (contour drawing). 69. What were you thinking just now? write it down. 70. Do nothing. 71. Write a list of ten things you could to do. Do the last thing on the list. 72. Create an image using dots. 73. Do 3 drawings at different speeds. 74. Put a small object in your left pocket (or in a bag), Put your left hand in the pocket. Draw it by feel. 75. Create a graph documenting or measuring something in your life. 76. Draw the sun. 77. Create instructions for a simple everyday task. 78. Make prints using food. (fruit and vegetables cut in half, fish, etc.) 79. Find a photo. Alter it by drawing over it. 80. Write a letter using an unconventional medium. 81. Draw one object for twenty minutes. 82. Combine two activities that have not been combined before. 83. Write about your day in an encyclopedic fashion. (i.e. organize by subject.) 84. Write a list of all the things you do to escape. 85. Cut a random shape out of several layers of a magazine. Make a collage out of the results. 86. Write an entry in code. 87. Make a painting using tools from the bathroom. 88. Work with a medium that is subtractive. 89. Write about or draw some of the doors in your life. 90. Make a postcard that has some kind of activity on it. 91. Divise a journal entry using "layers". 92. Divise an entry using "layers". 93. Write your own definition of one of the following concepts, sitting, waiting, sleeping (without using the actual word.) 94. List 10 of your habits. 95. Illustrate the concept of "simplicity".

it only goes to 95 but is so darn cute. enjoy perusing her spirited work. let me know of any new sources of inspiration you've come across. here's to continually inspiring one another to burst with creativity...

posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:07 PM | 2 comments

gotta get to sleep as i'm up at 5:30 AM tomorrow to catch a train to new york. my favorite annual tradeshow takes place over the next couple of days. it is a great time to scope out new designers for the tranquiliT boutique. then, back up early on thursday to catch a flight to san francisco to show the tranquiliT line at the yoga journal conference over MLK weekend. whew! fun, but harried travels.

i'm also sooo excited about my new spring samples that arrived this weekend. i found this new FABULOUS fabric that is 95% bamboo and 5% spandex. soft as cashmere, eco-friendly, and wicks moisture. what more could we want? one of my new designs is called the "tranquiliT tube." it works as a strapless minidress, long skirt or rolled short skirt. great for dressing up or down, lovely cover-up en route to class or over yoga pants, and also travels well. i love the idea of having multiple ways to wear one piece.

watch for the new designs to be posted to the site over the next few days. special offer for blog readers, shop online through january 31 to save 15% by clicking here.

also, looking for something special in yoga wear that you just can't find? if so, let me know, (kimberly@tranquilspace.com), and i'll do my best to accommodate your needs. that's the whole reason i started tranquiliT--to find a more comfy and stylish approach to activewear. now, i live in the line as it travels well, is perfect to mix and match, and is sooo soft.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:07 PM | 0 comments

HTC: January 7, 2006



Intro: Greetings! Welcome to the 14th edition of the hip tranquil chick podcast: a girl’s guide for living a luxe lifestyle on and off the yoga mat. Back in the Pink Palace, Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast is on nourishing your body in the new year, along with a soothing pose of the podcast that with digestion, and more funky podsafe music! Here with Isabel Clark--a holistic health and wellness counselor with a focus on holistic nutrition and food and lifestyle coaching. In her holistic health counseling practice, Clark Wellness, Isabel works primarily with individual clients to empower them to make appropriate food choices for their unique situations through food experiments, goal setting, and positive lifestyle changes.

View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.blogspot.com. Learn more about Isabel at clarkwellness.net and check out her insightful blog at clarkwellness.blogspot.com.

What got you into holistic health counseling?

Tell me a little bit about ayurveda and how it plays into the hip chick's diet?

I've received questions about fasting, can you tell us more?

What are your favorite tips for quick nourishment for the girl on-the-go?

Top 5 things to include in your diet in 2006:

1. Leafy green vegetables
2. Millet
3. Sweet potatoes
4. Chocolate
5. Vitamin L

Books and resources featured:
healing with whole foods by paul pitchford
the yoga of eating by charles eisenstein
the hip chick's guide to macrobiotics by jessica porter
a woman's best medicine by nancy lonsdorf
the 3-season diet by john douillard
the saucy vegetarian by joanne stepaniak
great good desserts naturally by fran costigan
sweet and natural by meredith mccarty
pressure perfect by lorna sass
rawfood.com

Pose of the Podcast: Trikonasana/Triangle pose. More poses to aid in digestion.

Closing: Share your thoughts, needs, and suggestions from your hip tranquil chick path with me at kimberly@tranquilspace.com. Visit tranquilspace.com and hiptranquilchick.com for additional sources of inspiration. Sign up for the tranquiliT times at hiptranquilchick.com.

For my West Coast listeners, I’ll be in San Francisco over MLK weekend (Jan 13-16) at the YJ conference showing the tranquiliT line. Come down to the Hyatt Regency and see me.

Closing track: Comfort Zone by MoShang. You can learn more this week's featured artist, including how to get more of his music, at the podsafe music network.

Thanks for joining me for the 14th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste!

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen right now (mp3).

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

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 @ 12:57 PM | 0 comments

ok, fab readers . . . let me know where you need inspiration for your hip tranquil chick journey. this weekend's show focuses on nurturing your insides through mindful eating. (you mean red vines don't count??) a few upcoming shows will discuss living creatively, getting started on the yoga path, and meditation for the modern girl on-the-go. i also plan to podcast from the yoga journal conference in san francisco next weekend. as i continue plugging away writing the book, i'd love to hear what else you need support with along the way. send your requests to kimberly@tranquilspace.com.

your e-mails and insights continue to inspire me. i'm delighted that there are sooo many hip tranquil chicks out there. you gals rock!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:11 AM | 0 comments

we're all a work in progress, eh? me especially! i was up until 3am a couple nights ago reading the new martha stewart business book. such an easy, quick, and inspiring read. my beau laughed the next morning and was like, "must have been QUITE the page turner." well, it was!

haven't read a fiction book in years. people swear by them to escape. i swear by non-fiction to grow. i crave continued development. ok, one other secret--can't read without a pen. yep, have to be able to underline the key points!

on this self-confession note, i would LOVE your feedback on the studio as another way to continue developing. we sent out an online survey in this week's newsletter. if you're a yogi at tranquil space (or a yogi with ideas to share), please let me know what you think. i truly value your input (even if you do read fiction without a pen).

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:38 PM | 1 comments

“it’s time to start living the life you’ve imagined.” ~ henry james

at the studio today i led a workshop with 32 fabulous yogis seeking a fresh and reflective start to 2006. we began with reflection, set our intentions, created three action steps, and moved with all this in mind through a 1.5 hour practice. the energy was inspiring, the yogis appeared to be excited and eager to take on the new year. i hope that you, too, were feeling a sense of delight on all the possibility that lies ahead.

ahhh, the hope of a new year, a clean slate, and a fresh start. a brand new year awaits you. the possibilities are endless. a new beginning is offered every day. each morning you are given a fresh canvas on which to paint. you choose the paint colors, the strokes, the pace, and the other players. your life is a constantly evolving work of art. create your new year consiously through reflection, intention, and action.

reflect on lessons learned in 2005. write out a year in review. note what lessons came up for you, how you will handle things differently, and what you have to be grateful for from these key experiences. next, set your intentions by getting them down on paper and staying mindful of them throughout your day. collage or write out on paper what you want 2006 to look like. create action steps on how you plan to get there. post these action steps where you see them every day—on your refrigerator, by your bed, in your office, on your car visor! (example intention: i want my yoga practice to grow. action steps: commit to a daily home practice starting at just 10 minutes, practice at the studio 2-3 times per week, browse the yoga section at a bookstore, carve out a tranquil yoga space at home, subscribe to yoga journal, sign up for level 1 teacher training, etc.)

if you fall short on a new year’s intention mid-month, pick yourself up, honor your effort, and adjust your expectations accordingly. it isn’t possible to be one person on december 31, and a freshly transformed person on january 1. i‘ve read that habits take a shocking 21 days to change. transformation takes time and numerous baby steps. acknowledge your progress and efforts on a regular basis. reward yourself along the way with simple, luxe indulgences. a few of my favorites include: taking hot baths, browsing at a bookstore, taking a restorative yoga practice, eating a meal that nurtures my insides, dancing to madonna’s latest tunes, learning a new skill—hip hop, knitting, sewing, ballet.

take steps daily that bring you closer to the chic and conscious lifestyle you crave. reflection and intentions will only carry you so far; you also have to be action minded. action won’t take you in any particular direction if it isn't done with reflection and intention. you’re an artist in motion, and now is the perfect time to begin treating your life with the sacredness and creativity it deserves.

as my favorite marianne williamson poem states, “we are all meant to shine and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.” let your inner light sparkle in 2006 through ongoing reflection, intention, and action. watch amazing things unfold. the potential that lies within you is infinite. take some sacred time to mold it and then live out loud. wear red, learn the tango, study art, try meditating, write a novel. may this be your best year yet!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:46 AM | 0 comments

happy new year!

can you believe it's 2006? happy, happy new year!

although i craved a quiet evening at home with a good book (one of my many 50+ waiting to be read) in front of the fire, celebrations began with a lovely dinner party at 6:30, and i'm just now home at 1:30. the dinner party was a total treat, along with the after party where we brought louis who was a big hit.

it's funny how i thought i needed a quiet evening, yet pushing my edge to be "on" longer than i thought i had the energy for, turned out to be a lovely night. sometimes we just have to put our best face forward and "fake it 'til we make it."

during experiences of pushing my comfort zone, i'm often surprised how much fun it can be to shake things up a bit. yes, i have tons of writing to do. yes, i have a workshop tomorrow to finalize. yes, i have tons of books i'm dying to dive into. yes, a hot bath always sounds like a good idea. however, tonight was a night to live a little, sip some champagne, toast in the possibility of the new year, mingle with friends, and push beyond my self-imposed limits.

cheers to pushing our comfort zones, stepping outside the box, knowing when to stay in or be "on," living a lot in 2006, and sipping champagne along the way. happy 2006!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 1:30 AM | 1 comments