Greetings from New York! My beau graciously whisked me away for a weekend of relaxation and celebration for a few days (oh, and to see MADONNA!)

Ahh, 33 years. It's amazing how quickly the time passes. I know if sounds so cliche but it truly does feel like yesterday that I was graduating from high school and couldn't wait to embark on college life, exploring cathedrals in Europe post-college, or even working at a law firm as a paralegal years later. These milestones feel like yesterday but some were over 15 years ago! Life is filled with so many lessons, experiences, joys, and triumphs--all of which help craft us into the unique being we become.

I've attached a photo taken this morning by a talented local photographer, Greg Whitesell, for The Examiner. It was the first time I got dressed or put on make-up in almost a week. Some bug really knocked my body for a loop. Maybe it was my body's way of demanding down time. Either way, I went with it and keep hoping to be on the upswing. A little acupuncture and cupping yesterday seemed to help, although I know have polka dots all over my back!

I have so many thoughts to share on this special day but I'd like to focus on gratitude and continue last year's birthday theme with a list of 33 things:

1. you! truly. i am so grateful to have connected with so many hip and tranquil women around the world who want to lead a mindfully extravagant life.
2. louis the pug. of course!
3. the fact that dreams come true. i recall spending my birthday in mexico 2 years ago writing my book proposal.
4. the excitement surrounding the creation of the tranquil space foundation.
5. excitement in general. isn't this feeling sooo divine?
6. supportive beau.
7. great friends and family. thank you all SO much for your sweet birthday wishes!
8. the beauty of green apples and yellow tulips.
9. little black dresses and ballet flats.
10. digital photography.
11. the huge role of yoga in my life for the past decade.
12. fireplaces.
13. sumptuous linens.
14. smell and sight.
15. candlelight.
16. black and white print.
17. french pedicures.
18. activist efforts.
19. loyalty, authenticity and honesty.
20. water.
21. flowers.
22. green tea.
23. feminism.
24. freedom.
25. oprah and madonna.
26. the opportunity to write.
27. the joy of entertaining.
28. inspirational readings.
29. warm and welcoming people.
30. the words "thank you."
31. baths.
32. opportunity.
33. growth through challenges.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 6:37 PM | 5 comments

i've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel.--maya angelou

this quote has stuck with me since i came across it as it offers a powerful statement into how best to live our lives. as tranquil space continues to grow and expand with offerings, i believe this quote truly captures what we strive to do at the studio. i received an e-mail from someone yesterday who wrote, “the first time i walked into the studio, there were actually tears in my eyes because more so than any other place in the city, this felt like home. i still have that same flood of gratitude for being able to practice in such an amazing place with such inspiring teachers. not only does tranquil space provide the ability to move my body and stretch my mind, it refreshes and recharges me spiritually and allows me to give more fully in all the other aspects of my life.” her e-mail caused me to reflect on this quote and how best to ensure i make others feel special at the studio and beyond.

at tranquil space, we focus on creating an experience for our students—complete with music, the smell of lavender, assists during class, soothing ambiance, and tea and cookies. we hope we succeed in truly offering you a tranquil space—a sacred haven in the city. i’d like to take the reflection on senses a step further to discuss how best to use them in a hip and tranquil way during our daily life to have a lasting effect on ourselves and others:

communication: there’s a saying that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar. when communicating with others, notice your delivery, and carefully choose your words. during teacher training students are taught to teach yoga in a clear and concise manner. say exactly what you mean. this translates beautifully off the mat and helps to keep expectations clear and avoid assumption. speak from the “i” and always express gratitude. oh, and people love hearing the sound of their names, use them often.

touch: when connecting with someone, i find it powerful to shake their hand, give a hug, or touch them on their arm when communicating. we don’t get enough touch in our society and reaching out to another in this way can have a great impact. find ways to include more deep connection to others—whether it is through physical touch or emotional touch (asking how someone is doing and really listening). your ability to connect with others on an emotional level can take you further than any time management skill or advanced yoga pose. ultimately we are here to connect fully with one another and to help ease each other’s journey.

presentation: how we present ourselves to the world speaks volumes of how we feel internally. i remember this playing out when selling candy as a camp fire girl in grade school. the amount of candy i would sell when i approached the doors cheerfully versus filled with an obvious sense of frustration that my mom had me hitting the streets again on a saturday morning was astounding. the lesson has stayed with me. we really are as happy as we make our minds up to be. sure selling candy when your girlfriends are home watching cartoons wasn’t my first choice, but it was up to me to make the most out of it (and sell enough to win a “free” tent). by presenting your best self physically, mentally, and emotionally to the world, you may inspire others to do the same and are sure to touch lives simply through your presense.

while i work on the mission for the tranquil space foundation (it’s currently to create a tranquil space in our society but everyone says i need to narrow it down—too broad apparently!), i continue to be drawn to the notion of touching lives. how can our footprint during our time on earth leave the most profound effect? in what small way can you make a difference today? how can you make someone feel better at this moment? a quick e-mail, phone call, e-card, compliment, expression of gratitude or touch?

thank you for constantly touching my life in such a hip and tranquil way. here’s to a continuous connection to making each other feel special . . .

posted by kimberly wilson @ 2:34 PM | 2 comments

ah, so i am returning from the depths of flu-filled drama. after not feeling quite right most of last week i trudged along with my to-dos until sunday finally slowed me to a halt. i've been couped up in bed since then. today i showered (ahhh, what a relief!) and i'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow with a 10am acupuncture appointment. this total reprieve set back many meetings and plans, but left me alone with my 200+ page manuscript that i will be fedexing tomorrow. woo-hoo! so somehow, it all worked out.

however, i must say that hanging out in bed for 3 solid days grew quite lonely. i miss the social interaction and feel so isolated from reality. yet, the world continued to turn just fine and listening to the rainfall from the comfort of my bed provided an amazing sense of tranquility.

must-haves for infirm:

- tons of tissues
- cell phone
- emergenC packets
- loads of fluids (water and hot tea with honey)
- scented candles burning nearby (you can't smell them but it's the thought that counts)
- a pet to cuddle and who doesn't mind how you look
- layers to help adjust with your vascillating chills and fevers
- good, soft linens
- tons of pillows
- good books
- planner pad
- notebook/pen to record random musings

posted by kimberly wilson @ 8:06 PM | 1 comments

HTC: June 27, 2006 Shownotes



Welcome to the 37th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: a guide to life on and off the yoga mat. Produced from our oh-so-tiny office (wrongly coined a closet by our electrician!) at Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast is an interview with Gina Kelley on hip and tranquil detox, topped of with a pose of the podcast, hip tranquil chick suggestions, hip tranquil chick chat, and fun podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.com/blog.

Gina Kelley is the studio director, yoga teacher and newbie program coordinator at Tranquil Space yoga in Washington DC. She appreciates how the practice of yoga transforms one's life both on and off the yoga mat. Her teachers and inspirations have included: Kimberly Wilson, Shiva Rea, Joe Miller, Pema Chodron, and Martha Lonergan. In recent years, Gina has studied with shepherd faught on the school of natural cookery methods for preparing foods intuitively and naturally, and has become extremely interested in eating and preparing a whole foods diet. Gina lives with her husband Tim and their two sweet cats, Grayson and Sassy, in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington.

Hip Tranquil Chick Suggestions:
Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics by Jessica Porter
Food and Healing by Annemarie Colbin
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford
SuperFoods Rx : Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by Steven G. Pratt, Kathy Matthews
8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Andrew Weil

Hip Tranquil Chick Chat: “Wow ... today's announcement of the Tranquil Space Foundation is not only impressive but seems like the perfectly logic next step. And, as a fellow small business owner, I know that while logical, the next steps take guts, initiative and passion.

One year ago today, I left my "secure" gig as a marketing executive to return to school and obtain my esthetician's license. I've always loved skincare and all topics of wellbeing; and I felt like this was an avenue to "my own" ... time, business, etc.

I started reading your blog and listening to your podcasts a few months back. They have been encouraging, inspiring and great companions on this new journey.

Congrats on the foundation; looking forward to hearing about its evolution and seeing its good works. In the very best way, I feel even more motivated to get involved, get in the game and have fun doing it.”

Pose of the Podcast:
Kneeling Twist

Au revoir:
We’ve expanded the community to MySpace and Frappr, please connect with me virtually there, too!

Get the tranquiliT times delivered straight to your inbox, keep abreast of upcoming events, and get pre-ordering info of the book at hiptranquilchick.com. View the latest summer edition.

Be in touch—share your hip tranquil chickness with me at kimberly@hiptranquilchick.com or in the comments section of hiptranquilchick.com/blog.

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

Thanks for joining me for the 37th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste!

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen to any episode!

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.

Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:00 PM | 0 comments

to culminate my birthday on friday, i decided to note my fave lessons learned during my 33 years. enjoy the non-exhaustive list in no particular order, and please share some of yours with us, too!

1. trust your gut.
2. you get more bees with honey.
3. ask lots of questions.
4. prepare for worse case scenario, hope for best case scenario.
5. reflect daily.
6. stay away from people who drain you.
7. surround yourself with inspiring people.
8. stay true to who you are.
9. practice, practice, practice.
10. know when to let go.
11. honor your efforts.
12. support other people's events that mean a lot to them.
13. always send thank you notes.
14. express gratitude often.
15. smile more.
16. be proud of your bargains.
17. set boundaries.
18. push your edges.
19. be strategic.
20. when something is bothering you, dissect why.
21. make people feel special.
22. speak from the "i".
23. avoid gossip like the plague.
24. see all viewpoints.
25. write things down.
26. remember birthdays.
27. be good to the environment.
28. keep your surroundings soulful and soothing.
29. keep things organized.
30. read loads of books.
31. research how to make your dreams come true.
32. indulge in life's luxuries--baths, candles, good bedding, flowers.
33. let yoga infuse your life.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:20 AM | 5 comments

wow, this makes it feel so official!

save the date! dc launch soiree planned for thursday, november 16. mark your social calendars -- all sorts of scoop to follow.

isn't it amazing how planting small seeds for many years, having lots of patience, investing tons of effort, and a dash of luck can truly make dreams come true? here's to many more years of sowing seeds for all of us. . . xoxo

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:07 PM | 5 comments

beau is away for a few days (first time in 3 months) and i kept teasing him before he left with the above line. he said, "yeah, and i wish him good luck!" ah, the humor. anyway, i have to say that today was absolutely AMAZING! sure i miss the little booger but the day began very early and included SO much. three important business calls, a meeting, manuscript editing, bedsheet changing, online shopping for new 1000 ct. (yep 1K) egyptian cotton pillowcases (only $19.99 on e-bay), yoga with louis biting at my hair the whole time (not tranquil!), gardening, tea sipping, journal writing, connecting via phone with family and a few friends, organizing, laundry, vacuuming, sweeping, dancing around to madonna, folding clothes, dog walking, and TranquiliT ordering (we're getting NATURAL colored bamboo fabric next week) with our fabulous sewer in ohio! whew! i planned to head into the studio for a class, but decided that my day of very little social interaction was worth its weight in gold so i didn't shower, put on make-up, or get prepped for being "on." i always wondered why my mother glowed when pops went off on trips. now i understand. come on girls, haven't you basked in glorious days of solitude? off to read some anais nin. . .

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:17 PM | 0 comments

Q: Since I’m a dancer it is hard for me to sit on a desk and do paper work (I have to do a lot of this), my back muscles start to contract totally (those ones right and left to your vertebra, just above the butt, which are kind of “in” your body, so you can’t massage them or loosen them up properly). I’ve tried to stretch them out, but it seems that I can’t reach them, even if I lie on my back and put my feet over my head so that my knees are just next to my ears (I hope this makes any sense to you). Do you have another stretch suggestion, maybe there is something in yoga that can help (I haven’t found anything yet).

A: Ah ha, my dear one. This is a funny visual! I think I know which muscles you're talking about as they begin to ache when I stand too long. I'm not so great with anatomy, but I can sure share what has worked for me to open the area around the sacrum.

- Twists, twists, and more twists help me to wring this area out. Some twist tips are noted here.
- Massage. A HUGE help for this achy area.
- Regular movement. While writing the book I noticed that I would get very engrossed in the process and may not move for hours. This takes a big toll on the body so be sure to get up regularly to stretch!
- Side bends.
- Cat & cow tilts also help and can be done discretely on an airplane (seated, of course), at your desk, or at your annual board meeting!

*****************************
Have a yoga or lifestyle question you'd like some hip and tranquil input on? If so, e-mail kimberly@hiptranquilchick.com.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:19 AM | 1 comments

today is the longest day of the year--summer solstice! i hope you are having a great start to summer. woo-hoo! i began it at a 6-hour workshop on 90-day planning. hmmm. i went into the workshop sooo excited about coming away with clarification on the numerous next steps. instead i came away from the event feeling like i had a big frustrating math problem in front of me to solve. not that it had anything to do with numbers, but it was that same feeling i always had in math class growing up (math is FAR from my forte). i have loads of processing to do to figure out what exactly to take away from the workshop. ever have that feeling where something isn't making sense and you can't figure out why? maybe it is the particular process that was presented in the workshop. hmmmm.

resonate with this experience? do you do quarterly planning? if so, what have you found that works best for you? as a follow-up from monday's podcast, i'd love to hear how fellow hip tranquil chicks put together 90-day personal or professional plans. please share so i can put my math problem to rest and get the quarterly juices flowing! after loads of online searching, i found this as a possible resource to help get you started.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:24 PM | 2 comments

carolan, director of bikram yoga in dupont, put together a lovely non-profit service to our community by offering free yoga at meridan hill/malcom x park on sundays in june. details here.

despite the insane temperatures and the fact that it was father's day, we had an amazing turn out last sunday in the park. as i headed up there to teach i wasn't feeling very well, but when i saw the yogis and got into the groove, the not-so-fabulous belly subsided. kudos to carolan for creating such a special offering to our fabulous yoga-loving and yoga-curious washingtonians. i hope you enjoy the attached photos that she took while i taught.

please join tranquil space for our upcoming potluck picnic in the park (at 23rd and p, down the hill into the park before the bridge) on sunday, july 23 from 6-8pm. i'll lead a mini 45-minute to 1-hour yoga class and, i promise, nothing beats doing yoga in the great outdoors! bring your mat, a treat to share, friends, family, canine companions, and a desire to meet some amazing yogis!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 12:37 AM | 2 comments

HTC: June 19, 2006 Shownotes



Welcome to the 36th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: A Guide to Life on and off the Yoga Mat. Produced from the Pink Palace in Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast is on organizing and prioritizing your day in a hip and tranquil way, topped of with a pose of the podcast, hip tranquil chick suggestions, and podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.com/blog.

"What is the most valuable use of my time?"

The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.--Goethe

My top 5 Hip & Tranquil Productivity Tips:

1. Unleash the Power of Goal-Setting.

2. Practice the Rule of 5: Every day do 5 specific things that move your goal toward completion.

3. 80/20 Rule: 80% of results, outputs, or rewards are derived from only 20% of the causes, inputs, or effort.

4. Get Things Done.

5. Choose the Most Important Tasks and think of your day in dashes and dots.`

You are a remarkable person, possessed of incredible untapped potentials and abilities. Whatever you have accomplished in life so far is only a shadow of what is truly possible for you. – Brian Tracy

Hip Tranquil Chick Suggestions:


The Success Principles by Jack Canfield







Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy







80/20 Principle by Richard Koch






Getting Things Done by David Allen







Never Check E-mail in the Morning by Julie Morgenstern




Hip Tranquil Chick Chat: “Just wanted to say thank you for turning my long runs into (even higher-) quality time. I listen to your fabulous podcast every time I hit the road (and have actually found myself looking forward to my runs as this means another one or two episodes of hiptranquilchick!).

I came to yoga a year ago and I think this is just right for me, not only as there are some parallels between Patanjali and myself - we're both doctors, linguists and yogis (even though I still need to work a lot on this one). Yoga helps me to lead a more balanced life, listen to my body and create a quiet yet intense zone when practising, and you help me in keeping my enthusiasm about it fresh and strong(er) and take new perspectives on old and new aspects of life in general and the yoga lifestyle in particular.

So thank you so much for being such a great source of inspiration. You rock, hip tranquil chick!”

Pose of the Podcast:
Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal)

Closing:
We’ve expanded the community to MySpace and Frappr, please connect with me virtually there, too!

Get the tranquiliT times delivered straight to your inbox, keep abreast of upcoming events, and get pre-ordering info of the book at hiptranquilchick.com. View the latest summer edition.

Be in touch—share your hip tranquil chickness with me at kimberly@hiptranquilchick.com or in the comments section of hiptranquilchick.com/blog.

To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe music---by new and independent artists who are sharing their music through podcasting from Podsafe Music Network. Today’s selection is Phantasma by BitStream Dream with Anji Bee. You can learn more this week's featured artist, including how to get more of their music, at the PMN or Anji's blog.

Thanks for joining me for the 36th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste!

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen to any episode!

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.

Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 7:01 PM | 2 comments

ah, a clean slate and a fresh list of to-dos (many carried over from last week). since i returned home this afternoon from leading a free comunity class in the park to 30 local yogis (such a delightful group), i've been organizing paperwork, lining up priorities for the week, and going through numerous publications in my overflowing basket that beg to be read. it's just past midnight and i'm beginning to slow down. amazing how long reorganizing and prioritizing can take! i constantly read how powerful and important it is to regroup on a daily basis to be sure your to-dos are aligning with your overall mission.

i recently wrote at the top of my planner pad (i'm addicted to this little gem) "what is the most valuable use of my time?" it's a great question to ponder when wondering what to focus on next. a favorite quote by Goethe is "the things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least." since organizing and prioritizing our day is crucial to development as hip tranquil chicks, i'll put together some tips in tomorrow's podcast outlining my fave resources and suggestions.

best wishes for a fabulous start to your blank slate of a week. may it be filled with things that matter most - belly laughs, time outside, good food, yoga, lavender, sparkling water, creativity, good work, steps toward making a difference, doing something for others, social consciousness, comfy clothes, and more!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:58 PM | 0 comments

today was jam-packed! beginning at 6am to prepare for the "a day for every busy woman conference" and coming to a close on the dance floor at a local hotel surrounded by washingtonians and their canine companions at the annual humane society bark ball. i feel so blessed to have run into numerous women that i've met in various paths along the way -- students, blog readers, podcast listeners, fellow business owners, and former consultants. what a slew of amazing women in one place. and then the delightful bark ball filled with 2-pound tea cup pups to huge saint bernards. louis looked quite regal in his cute little bow tie (note his snaggle tooth grin in the above photo).

i was impressed with the wide range of people at both of today's events. a speaker at the event noted how wonderful it was to have all people - democrats, republicans, independents - all united under one roof supporting the same cause. i thought that was a beautiful point and his message hit home. putting aside differences to unite on humane treatment for animals was close to many washingtonian hearts tonight. xo, kimberly and louis the beloved pug

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:51 PM | 1 comments

whew, what a week! this has been my first week to catch a breath in months. it felt great to have a little downtime that included some dog parking with little louis, a 2-hour practice with tranquil space's fabulous teachers, reading, connecting with the new tranquil space foundation board (including a west coaster), and meetings in the beautiful dc sunshine!

tomorrow begins bright and early at 6am to show the tranquiliT line and share tranquil space at A Day for Every Busy Woman in virginia. then beau, pup, and i are off to the dc humane society's annual fundraiser Bark Ball! a formal event for humans and pups alike--all for a good cause! will be sure to share photos.

i hope each of you have had a delightful week, that you're soaking up some of the gorgeous rays, and are also able to take a breath in this jumpstart to summertime.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:41 PM | 2 comments

Q: I sit for so much of the day (whether at a desk or in a car) & my hams are so tight!! I love the hip opening poses, but when I try to do a forward bend, it still looks like I'm still sitting up straight! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

A: Oh my darling, I hear you! Those hammies can get quite tight from all our sitting so I have a few favorite poses to share:

- Standing forward fold: Open your feet hip width apart, hinge at your hips, and fold forward. Hang here for numerous breaths, even minutes if you can! Bend your knees if you feel like your back is rounding or the legs feel particularly snug (lots of computer work or traveling). Rest your hands into the crook of your arms and let go! My absolulte favorite way to get my yoga on in a quick, cooling way.

- Downward facing dog: From your forward fold, step back to a lunge with your right leg and then step your left leg back to meet it. Lift your hips up and back to an inverted "V." Press into your heels and lift through your toes. Feel those hamstrings opening. If you feel your back rounding, bend your knees to lift your hips up higher and lengthen your spine.

- Seated forward fold: Sit on the edge of a blanket with your legs extended in front of you. Inhale, reach the arms up, and exhale, fold forward. Lengthen the spine and reach for your shins or the outsides of your feet. Be sure to hinge from the hips, rather than the waist (where a belt would be).

- Here's another resource from Yoga Journal!

Good luck, my girlfriend. I hope these few poses help breathe life into those tight hamstrings!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 1:24 PM | 2 comments

ahh, the joys of nyc! i actually felt a bit let down this morning--you know those post-vacation blues? i was only in ny for 12 hours but that city beckons me more and more each time i visit. my day began with a 5:25 am alarm and a 6:30 train. off to ny for a photo shoot highlighting an article i wrote for fit yoga coming out in the october issue. such fun - holding poses for minutes while working to appear zen-like. my studio director joined me for some "market research" as we scouted five fabulous studios, took classes at jivamukti's new digs, ate some great vegan food (i got a soy dog!), and dashed in and out of various stores (realizing that we had a tendency to patronize the same stores we had in dc--creatures of habit).

as i walked to the studio this morning in my ny haze, i felt grateful for the ease in which we can get from point A to point B in dc. sooo much easier than ny. however, ny has soooo much excitement. the tall buildings, the amazing style, the hoards of people and yellow cabs, the yoga studios on every corner (ok, many corners), the great theatre! for a girl from oklahoma, i've always dreamed about the adventures of new york and i get so stimulated each time i visit.

frank sinatra's song "new york, new york" continues to make me smile as i am still feeling the buzz of such an electrifying city. to top it all off, russell simmons (not RICHARD simmons) practiced in front of me the whole time. talk about distracting. while others around me were "ommming," i whispered to gina, "do you know who that is?" we both grinned and returned to the moment. it's funny how exciting the little things in a big city can be to small town girls!

as you can see, i felt nostalgic about ny today. it's amazing how getting out of your element, even for 12 hours, can provide such revitalization. couple that with a city as exciting as ny, and you're sure to have things shaken up--in a good way. don't we all need a little shake up now and then?

how do you shake things up? hop on a train to ny? read a racy novel? try a different yoga style? plant a new herb? invite someone out to tea? let's try to add some spice and watch the effects unfold immediately . . . in a new york minute.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:46 PM | 2 comments

HTC: June 11, 2006 Shownotes




Welcome to the 35th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast: A Guide to Life on and off the Yoga Mat. Produced from my tiny zen garden in Washington, DC.

Today’s podcast is an interview with Isabel Clark on mindful eating 201, topped of with a pose of the podcast, hip tranquil chick suggestions, hip tranquil chick chat, and fun podsafe music! View our shownotes at hiptranquilchick.com/blog.

Isabel Clark is 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 to help her clients create the happy, healthy lives they were born to live! Learn more about Isabel at clarkwellness.net.

Hip Tranquil Chick Suggestions:
Isabel’s fave resources
Isabel’s newsletter

Hip Tranquil Chick Chat:
“You continue to inspire me everyday. I love the fact that you live a yogic life while also immersing yourself in the hip world. I always believed you had to go 'all the way' (i.e., living the life of a Buddhist monk) in order to be a "true" yogi. You've helped me to realize that this doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' choice. You can practice yoga and still look hip and wonderful doing it.

I've started to look at life the same way. I can be an attorney and still dabble in yoga or knitting (two of my passions I'd love to turn into a career someday!). Or I can be an environmentalist and still wear a cute pair of kitten heels, not Birkenstocks.”

Pose of the Podcast:
Updog

Closing:
Join our virtual map and our online community on MySpace!

Get the tranquiliT times delivered straight to your inbox, keep abreast of upcoming events, and get pre-ordering info of the book at hiptranquilchick.com. View the latest summer edition.

Be in touch—share your hip tranquil chickness with me at kimberly@hiptranquilchick.com or in the comments section of hiptranquilchick.com/blog.

To close out the show, we’re playing podsafe music---by new and independent artists who are sharing their music through podcasting from MySpace.com. Today’s selection is Inside Out by Mellow Dramas. You can learn more this week's featured artist, including how to get more of their music, at Mellow Drama's MySpace.com page and the Podsafe Music Network.

Thanks for joining me for the 35th edition of the Hip Tranquil Chick podcast. Namaste!

You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click here to listen to any episode!

New to podcasting? Get more info at Yahoo Podcasts.

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posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:53 PM | 0 comments

i've heard the following quote twice over the past week and it has really resonated with me:

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel.--Maya Angelou

how often do we stop to reflect on how our words or actions really make people feel? this statement is SOOO powerful and i wanted to share it with fellow hip tranquil chicks striving to make a difference in the world. there will always be naysayers and pessimists, but it is up to you to do your very best to make others feel special. what small action will you take this week to make those you come into contact with feel GREAT?

posted by kimberly wilson @ 10:01 PM | 2 comments

Happy Thursday! I've just received the sweetest e-mail that I wanted to pass along. Thank YOU, dear readers and listeners, for continuing to inspire me daily through your e-mails and feedback. Cheers to living fully, mindfully, and with flair. You rock!

"You continue to inspire me everyday. I love the fact that you live a yogic life while also immersing yourself in the hip world. I always believed you had to go 'all the way' (ie, living the life of a Buddhist monk) in order to be a "true" yogi. You've helped me to realize that this doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' choice. You can practice yoga and still look hip and wonderful doing it.

I've started to look at life the same way. I can be an attorney and still dabble in yoga or knitting (two of my passions I'd love to turn into a career someday!). Or I can be an environmentalist and still wear a cute pair of kitten heels, not Birkenstocks. ;)

Just wanted to say thanks and keep up the great work!"

posted by kimberly wilson @ 4:05 PM | 3 comments

i'm delighted to welcome yet another black creature with a french name to the family, noir the goldfish. see attached photo with bonnard the fat cat welcoming him!

my journey home was easy and it felt divine to sleep in my own bed again last night. what a whirlwind the past week has been. i'm having trouble figuring out what day it is.

last night was date night and we went to go see al gore's new movie an inconvenient truth. amazingly informative and such a wake-up call. here are some ideas on ways we can make a difference at home and on the go. having just written the social consciousness chapter, many of these suggestions rang a bell but some are new and insightful. wow, would love to hear if you all have additional suggestions. in what ways are you working to stop global warming?

today i was cell phone free for a few hours while my sprint treo was getting repaired. i tell you, i felt so out of sorts. i rely on it for phone numbers, e-mail checks when away from my computer, text messaging, and, of course, phone calls! my screen went black and i was in total disarray! my few hours of suffering (3.75 to be exact) were torture. i tried to remind myself to practice detachment. who would have thought a phone could be labeled as an addiction or attachment? well, i realized today what a huge role it played. i don't even know my beau or best friend's phone number! i look it up every time and hit "dial." i ran a few errands and kept reaching for my not-to-be found phone or hearing someone else's ring and feeling my pulse rise. then i'd savor the inaccessability for a few minutes and return to agitation. i use driving time or walking time to handle calls that may be hard to squeeze into my schedule. ah, what to do?

when i returned to the sprint store, the manager said they had replaced the screen and that it was good to go, i wanted to leap over the counter and hug him. i restrained and instead showed him photos of louis the pug. he was like, "that's great ma'am . . . next!"

today i learned how powerful the habit of cell phone connection is for me. i also learned how easily i am thrown off course when i don't have my gadgets. and gleefully, i learned that it is kinda nice to not be accessible 24/7. maybe that is the lesson here after all.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:04 PM | 0 comments

tonight i rest in a sweet yogini's home alone after an action-packed day in chicago. it began with more hours of booth time, then a quick break down and transport to the city for an afternoon workshop i was leading at namaskar in lakeview. the attached photos show the hip opening workshop in action. note the gorgeous lavender walls and curtains, fabulous altar, and great funky lighting. two former tranquil spacers (laura & jessica) graced me with their presence, and jessica brought cookies from trader joe's as a sweet sentiment (we always serve tea and cookies after each class). what a treat! after some sushi and gabbing with studio owner chris, i'm settling in exhausted after 5 days of travel and conferencing.

i find excursions like this to be a great reminder of the many lives we touch on a daily basis. it's truly phenomenal. many of the vendors at this show eagerly ask one another "when will i see you next? will you be at such and such show?" it's really sweet because you connect on a certain level with people who you would never meet living a safe status quo life. what i mean is that putting yourself out there enables you to connect with new people who enhance your life when your paths cross. if i only sold tranquiliT at the studio, i would never have met such interesting people with such great stories.

every day i am reminded of the power that stepping outside of my comfort zone will have on my world. every day i am amazed at the connections that can be made with other people. i hope to never take this sacred act for granted. wishing you lots of great connections and comfort zone strikes! off to sleep like a baby as i'm back in dc tomorrow. signing off from the midwest . . .

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:20 PM | 6 comments

what a delightfully long, but glorious day. met more wonderful people and reconnected with some old pals. a former teacher trainee from tranquil space moved to chicago two years ago and teaches at the studio where i'll be leading a workshop sunday night. such a small world and always feels good to see how paths come together in obscure ways.

i began the day with a three-hour workshop with david life of jivamukti yoga. his message and beautiful practice reminded me of my initial draw to this style. although i struggle with the dogma, i'm amazingly impressed with the level of knowledge he and sharon (co-founder of the style) possess. it is truly remarkable.

the workshop was hip, hot, and holy. the title intrigued me. he talked about tapas and how we have to turn up the heat, find our edge, and embrace intensity to truly live. this reminded me of my post a couple weeks ago on finding your edge. such a profound concept. his focus throughout was on being in the present moment. SO hard to do. my mind is constantly planning what is next and focusing on what i need to do. yours? he noted that we even do this in yoga class--anticipating warrior 2 will come after warrior 1 or that updog will come after chaturanga. why can't we just enjoy where we are right at that moment? he ended with a comment about savasana (corpse pose/final relaxation) saying that we do corpse so that we can practice letting go of the body and play with being IN the body but not being the body. practice being the observor.

the day culminated with great sushi and a night cap topped off with a tasty cigar shared by new friends from the conference.

tomorrow i will begin breaking the little mini-boutique down, shipping stuff home, and leading a hip opening workshop and trunk show at a studio in chicago before heading back to dc (my beau & little louis) on monday. whew, what a whirlwind of a few days!

posted by kimberly wilson @ 1:40 AM | 0 comments

ah, my nightly update on the yoga experiece at the midwest yoga conference. today began again at 7am (ahhhhh!) and i skipped off at 8:30 to take paul grilley's yin yoga class. the perfect jump-start for a stiff body craving a serious yoga fix. at 8:30 in the morning my body doesn't move much, so yin was a great start and my connective tissue feels nice and open! he says that with yin we should try to really feel our bones and connective tissue, instead of muscles like in yang practice (the more typical yoga we practice). very interesting to try to connect to these subtle parts of the body.

it has been a treat to see many yogini shoppers that i met at this conference last year and to observe the great response to the eco-friendly and chic bamboo fabric we're now using for the TranquiliT collection. one fellow studio owner from ohio stopped by the booth before catching her plane home to show me how fabulous she looked in her new ensemble. it was a great reminder of the true joys associated with designing a line that truly helps bring some tranquility and ease into our busy lives.

the evening culminated with an impressive performance by RASA. i had the priviledge of meeting the musicians of RASA, hans and kim, today when they stopped by my booth. such amazing energy and a great story of connection--they met seven years ago living on two different coasts.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 11:09 PM | 0 comments

fresh back from a thoughtful muse by david life (cofounder of jivamukti yoga). he discussed the importance of being virtuous in our acts so that we have what patanjali, author of the yoga sutras, describes as transparent karma--doing things for no other reason than the good. he talked about focusing on what actions we take and what we're thinking when we take such actions. an example he used was donating a large sum of money to a charity to get a wing named after you. is that virtuous or self-serving?

ah, sometimes i wonder if one can ever win. you do a good act but is it really good enough? who defines "good enough?" i recall in teacher training a student asking if she would have to completely alter her lifestyle in order to become a teacher. we all nervously giggled because i knew what she was asking (can i still go out and drink/dance, etc.?). this is something we all must reflect upon when venturing into a more mindful lifestyle.

the first chapter of my upcoming book hip tranquil chick focuses on creating a personalized practice. what is virtuous or defines practice to me may be completely different than what it is to you. is either of us wrong? no, we simply have different perspectives on it all.

david made a great point when he inserted "we're all doing the best we can." i recall a friend saying this to me years ago when i was complaining about something and it has stuck with me. if you think of the rude barrista or the quick-tempered boss or the unruly 4-year-old, they are doing the best they can with what they have at that moment. keeping this in mind, coupled with a focus on being more virtuous and mindful in all you do or say will take you far, girls.

i recall the last night of teacher training referring back to this student's question. she mentioned that her lifestyle had shifted. not out of guilt, but out of growth. i encouraged the teachers-in-training to let this evolution be natural, not forced, and that by god, if they were going to continue swinging from chandeliers, to do so mindfully.

posted by kimberly wilson @ 9:56 PM | 2 comments

greetings from CHI cog O

don't ask, for some reason i think it is fun to pronounce it like this. umm, it's the small things.

arrived yesterday, set up for hours, had some reflexology (yuuummmm!), reconnected with fellow exhibitors like foat design and agoy, connected with the studio for a few hours, and crawled into bed with my room service treats. a great, action-packed day!

today began with a wake-up call at 7am (i find this hour ungodly) and has been booth sitting ALLLL day. tonight i look forward to watching a demo by duncan wong, creator of yogic arts, along with hearing opening remarks from david life of jivamukti.

to give you a brief glimpse into this weekend's world, i've attached a photo of the tranquiliT booth. it's a breath of fresh (and pink) air to a very woodsie setting. i hope to get in some rockin' yoga with some of the conference's amazing teachers. unfortunately hip hop yoga is sold out, but i'm determined to find the perfect thing. gotta practice the art of detachment, even at yoga conference's hip hop classes!

i just received word that sweet amanda's blog is featured today on dc blogs. check it out and good work, ms. amanda!

i look forward to sharing any "a-ha" moments from classes, connections, or conference musings as they unfold. i hope each of you are having a great post-holiday weekend week. back to the booth . . .

posted by kimberly wilson @ 3:12 PM | 1 comments