tranquility du jour

tranquilista book tour: portland, oregon

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:50:00 +0000

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am northwest in portland, oregon on all things tranquilista. more tips to come...

bisous,
kimberly

A Dose of Pleasure Thursday – Sensory Pleasure: Touch

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:37:00 +0000

“Art communicates through the senses - a chef through taste and smell, a musician through sound, and a visual artist through sight. But they all have one thing in common - they all lead directly to the heart.” --Andrew Hamilton

Welcome to another Dose of Pleasure! Did you enjoy slowing down your taste experience and adding new tastes? This week we finish our sensory adventures with my very favorite sense – touch.

Touch has such healing power. Just think about how you feel after a massage – like butter, right? And we all know what happens to babies who have been denied touch – they fail to thrive. These are basic examples of the power of touch. Can you think of some in your own life?

Build Your Sense Awareness

Take an awareness break right now and notice what sensations are present for you right now. Don't shift or move – just notice what you're sensing right now. Can you feel your clothes on your body (are they tight or loose?)? Is the seat you're sitting on hard or soft, or are you sticking to the seat? Here are some things to be aware of in terms of sensation: temperature, pressure, and texture.

Expand this awareness out throughout the day and notice the different sensations and how they feel. For example, what does the water feel like hitting your body in the shower? Which clothing material pleases you? How do your sheets feel against your skin? What does it feel like to cuddle with your pet? Notice how your towel yourself off each morning/evening and how varying the pressure feels. Can you feel the wind ruffling your hair when you go outside? How does the warmth of the sun feel on your face? What is the texture of the washcloth that you scrub your face/body with?

As you become more aware of sensation, you'll become more aware of what feels pleasurable to you. And don't forget to introduce new touch sensations into your world – whether it's buying flannel sheets or wearing a silk scarf or wrapping yourself in a soft blanket. Experiment and play – there are so many ways to luxuriate in and indulge your sense of touch.

Heightening Your Sense of Touch

Here are some fun resources to help you explore your sense of touch:

The Feather Place – if you're looking for an inexpensive way to add a new touch sensation to your life, try this Web site. Notice how it feels to gently drag a feather across your skin. Delicious!
Sheepskin Town – if you'd like to enhance your décor and your sense of touch, try a soft and cozy sheepskin rug.
Fleece Pajamas – if you want to stay warm and delight your body with the softness of fleece, try these Snuggle Fleece PJs from Pajamagram.
Stylish Eco-Friendly clothes – I know you're all familiar with the sassy, stylish, and earth-friendly clothes from TranquiliT, but I must include them here. They offer pleasure on two fronts – the bamboo and organic cotton feel delicious against your skin and you look stylish wearing these fabulous clothes. What can I say – it's a pleasurefest!
Sock Dreams – if you're looking for a pair of socks that will wrap your feet in glorious pleasure, check out my very favorite source for socks.
Life is Good Creamy Tees – why wear a plain ole T-shirt, when you can wear one that feels buttery soft to the touch (not to mention the fact that it carries a very cool message – life is good)? I own a few of these and they're the ones I always reach for when the urge to don a t-shirt comes over me.
Pleasure Butter – just the name of this delightful product gets me smiling. There's nothing more wonderful to wallow in your sense of touch than massage. These pleasure butters from Good Clean Love are perfect for massage. Not only do they feel amazing on your skin, but they smell wonderful too.

Again, experimentation is key here. Have fun with it and enjoy learning what touches delight you. Remember, it's all about expanding your pleasure. I'll see you next time!

Have a pleasure-filled day,

Diane

Diane Cesa is a yoga practitioner and teacher, lover of life, tea drinker, adventurer, eternal optimist, nature fan, blogger, and self-proclaimed pleasure maven.

tranquilista book tour: sacramento tv + more

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:06:00 +0000

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three tv segments and one event done. two tv segments and three events to go! here are a few pics and today's fun on sacramento and company. the pics include:

1. signing books at ladies who launch LA event (click the link for clips from the event)

2. reconnecting with former tranquil space teacher regina hughes who surprised me in the audience of view from the bay. yay!

3. beau + moi after sipping wheatgrass-infused concoctions and dining raw at cafe gratitude in berkeley.

4. the lovely jennifer lee and britt bravo after our laughter-filled dining experience at cafe gratitude.

this adventure has been full of lovely connections and reconnections, tv time, quality time with beau, and oodles of travel. we're back to san francisco shortly and fly to portland this evening for tomorrow's tv show on AM northwest and event at tea chai te. can't wait to see many of my fave portland peeps and indulge at powells. follow along at #tranquilistatour.

in honor of today's segment where we discussed eleanor roosevelt's famous quote "do one thing every day that scares you," i'd love to know what one thing *you* are going to do! think outside the box. color outside the lines. seek possibility. see with new eyes. invest in yourself. explore what lies within.

bisous,
kimberly

tranquilista book tour: san francisco

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:46:00 +0000

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today's fun at "view from the bay" in san francisco.

Keeping in Touch with Yourself: Fielding Failure

noreply@blogger.com (Old-Fashioned Girl) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:25:00 +0000

"Fall seven times; stand up eight" Japanese Proverb

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the ineffable Miss Kimberly two Sunday's ago for a podcast that will be posted here in the near future. Kimberly asked me what I've been up to since our last podcast in December of 2008, and I said something along the lines of "I've been fielding failure." I don't feel I explained myself very well on the podcast, so I'll try again here.

I had hopes the size of mountains in 2009. There were books to write and fellowships to apply for. I was always working on something. I applied for two literary fellowships. I wrote two book proposals. I auditioned to be on the Bachelor, which is a bit of a stretch but a fun one. All year long there was project after project, attempt after attempt, and at the end of the year I had to face the reality that none of them had come to fruition. I was sure at least one of my endeavors would come through, but the Universe had other plans.

The year couldn't end quickly enough for me, and I welcomed 2010 like a friendly neighbor bringing baked goods. With the new year came a new book idea. I sighed and thought "Am I going to put myself through this again?" I answered almost immediately "Yes I am!" And that was the moment I knew I'd be fine. I realized that there's something in me that will always keep trying. As long as I know there's oil, I'll keep digging. I had figured out how to field failure, and having a plan for failure is as important as having a plan for success.

I call my new ideas boomerangs, and it's my job (your job) to keep throwing them out into the Universe. Every resume, essay, poem, book proposal, blog, small business plan etc. is a boomerang. Throw them out there again and again. Some will get lost and others will come back to you when you least expect it. In 2010, boomerangs that I threw out in 2007 have come flying back at me. 2010 wouldn't feel this good if it weren't for 2009—the year of nothing going my way. And I'm sure there are other set backs ahead, but I need those road blocks to fully appreciate when I do get what I worked for (and more).

With regards to the comic above, it's just a joke. It's never too late to throw boomerangs! Grandma Moses didn't begin painting until her seventies.

Samara O'Shea is an author and professional letter writer. Visit her at LetterLover.net and follow her on Twitter.

swinging on beach + san diego living tv 1: day 2 + start of 3

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:20:00 +0000

tranquility = swinging high on a beach, wheatgrass shots, yoga on-the-go (+ in your office chair), reconnecting with old + new friends, sipping pink bubbly, green juices (yesterdays = celery, spinach, apple, cucumber), celebrating international women's day, the princess project (they were on san diego living with me today).

tranquility du jour #174: musings on yoga + wine

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:26:00 +0000

direct download (mp3)

Bonjour. Welcome to the 174th edition of Tranquility du Jour: A Guide to Bringing Tranquility to your Every Day. Today’s show features happenings and musings on yoga + wine.

Tranquilista Lifestyle: Joie de Vivre: Join me for a 6-week e-course focusing on the outlined in Tranquilista. Our six sessions will highlight ways to shape your world with spirituality, do-gooding, creativity, style, and entrepreneurship. Launches March 24.

West Coast Tour: follow along #tranquilistatour + watch daily updates on ustream.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next Tranquilology Teleclass "Bloom into Spring" on Monday, March 22 at 9pm ET. $10. View petals from winter's teleclass.

Workshops + Retreats: Consider joining moi on the Virtual Art Retreat with Wish Studio's Creative Cast April 30-May 2, a week long Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in lush Costa Rica May 29-June 5, a Tranquilista Retreat at Kripalu July 5-9, Denver workshops July 16-17, and a Yoga Retreat in India November 12-21.

Featured Tranquilista: Angela Gargano has over 10 years experience in the wine industry, having worked as a wine buyer in San Francisco and as a sommelier and event planner. Angela has studied at the Culinary Institute in Napa's Professional Wine Studies Program, completed the introductory Certificate for the Court of Master Sommeliers and has participated in various tasting panels for Wine and Spirits Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. Yoga and Wine retreats and workshops have been featured in The New York Times, MSN.com, Girlfriend Getaways-Budget Travel, Fitness Rx, Gotham Magazine, Metro New York and other national and local publications.

Savvy Sources:
Website: blissflowyoga
Blog: liquidblissyoga
At Tranquil Space March 19 + 20

Stay Au Courant: Create a home practice. Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download Tranquility du Jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly Tranquility du Jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour . Explore mentoring with moi. Peruse Hip Tranquil Chick or Tranquilista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation. Sign up for my museletter. Tranquilista's fan page. Tranquil Space Foundation's hosting LunaFest.

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Possibilities by Durojaiye Versatile. You can learn more about him at dversatile.wordpress.com.

- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes

- New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast Alley

- 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.

- Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

march dreams

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:56:00 +0000

"expect to have hope rekindled. expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. the dry seasons in life do not last. the spring rains will come again." - sarah ban breathnach

soon the daffodils will be peeking out of winter's barren earth and we, too, can begin to reemerge. how would *you* like to emerge this spring? hmmm, i have a few ideas and they definitely tie into my dreams below. february passed quickly: short month, blizzards, valentine's. somehow it didn't hit me until the 4th or 5th that i had missed evaluating and setting my monthly goals. uh oh!

this process is a treat because it ensures my daily/monthly goals stay aligned with my bigger picture goals. below are my march dreams coupled with my review of february's dreams. how did your dreams unfold in february? big plans for march? let's help keep each other accountable!

my march dreams:

1. daily live videos via ustream during west coast tour. tune in here.
2. ongoing tweets during west coast tour. follow here (#tranquilistatour).
3. informative + inspirational tv interviews in san diego, san francisco, sacramento, portland, vancouver over next few days.
4. informative + inspirational events in LA, portland, seattle, vancouver.
5. fun, inspiring tranquilology teleclass: 8 new petals for spring.
6. ship out tranquility toolkits to oh-so-talented creativity circle graduates.
7. launch *new* tranquilista ecourse.
8. finalize placement for fall 2010/spring 2011 MSW internship.
9. successful shoulder surgery on thursday, march 25. boo.
10. bask in "realizing your true nature" all-day workshop with tara brach on march 20.
11. flair-filled booksigning at breathe books in baltimore.
12. start each day with 10-minutes of meditation.
13. launch ballet-inspired spring TranquiliT collection: special dc event on march 21.
14. share results + implement suggested changes in tranquil space survey (680 responses).
15. surround myself with fresh flowers.
16. daily yin yoga.
17. continue to phase out time-wasters: immediate response to emails, try (again) for email checking, facebook checking, twitter checking limited to a few times/day.
18. answer up to 3 questions each day on formspring to serve up inspiration + ideas.
19. don flower pins, pearls, feathers, and sparkles to accentuate favored noir look.
20. prep for tranquil space foundation's exciting luna fest event.
21. daily green smoothie sipping. for ideas on how to make yours, click here.

my february dreams:

1. finalize west coast book tour (march 6-12 - deets to come) - DONE, DETAILS HERE
2. finalize and order spring TranquiliT collection (today) - DONE, LAUNCHES LATER THIS MONTH
3. finalize india retreat (coleading with darren main november 12-21 - deets to come) - DONE, DETAILS HERE
4. complete blogging your way e-course homework each week - READ IT EACH WEEK, DIDN'T DO IT. BOO.
5. do MSW readings - DONE PLUS 2 PAPERS + ONE EXAM. UGH.
6. chez moi organizing (feb. 13) - OVERALL RESCHEDULED DUE TO SNOW.
7. host two dinner dates (feb. 17 + 25) -DONE.
8. return to weekly ashtanga practice - DID ONCE, HAD TO MODIFY. SHOULDER SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 25.
9. bask in "mindfulness on the job" workshop (feb. 27) - DONE, LOVED IT.
10. productive, fun spring TranquiliT photo shoot (feb. 28) - DONE, WENT SWIMMINGLY.
11. play date evening with girlfriend (feb. 12) - DONE - YOGA, ARTIST DATE, DINING.
12. launch etsy store/design strategic plan/determine strategic use of time and energy (carryovers from january) - STILL IN PROGRESS. ETSY MAY BE PUT ON HOLD FOR A BIT.
13. more consistent scheduling/morning ritual/meditation - STILL IN PROGRESS.

tranquilista tour: day un

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:52:00 +0000

lovelies,

delighted to be in california after 2-3 hours of slumber. was packing up TranquiliT orders and my own bags into the wee hours.

beau set up a fun way to stay connected during this journey - follow along on ustream with live updates daily. today's will be at 4pm PT. look forward to sharing this adventure and can't wait to meet soooo many of you! oh, and twitter peeps, follow us at #tranquilistatour.

here are 2 fun picks from our adventures today: a fabulous display at sephora with all the sales people donning the most phenomenal color of pink hair plus a smattering of colourful cotton candy - yum! we're in anaheim as beau wanted to treat me to a stay at disneyland. growing up i went to forts, graveyards and national parks for family vacations so this is my first experience at a disney park. must confess, not totally my thing but *love* observing the "cast members" offer top notch customer service and to take in the beauty in which this enterprise is run. secret goal is to attend disney institute someday. they have something special going on in how they operate.

off to indulge in a lavender facial and massage pre-date night dinner with beau. more later as i realized (gasp!) that i haven't posted my march dreams yet. february flew by and with this week's mid-terms i've lost sense of time. hope your february dreams came true and i look forward to evaluating mine. *you* help keep me accountable!

bisous,
kimberly

food friday... yummy & nourishing breakfast suggestions

noreply@blogger.com (robyn michelle-lee) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:24:00 +0000

what then shall i do this morning?

how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

- annie dillard

when you wake from your nightly slumber as the sun rises each morning, do you take the opportunity to revel in the beauty of a new day? perhaps you roll out your mat and greet the day with sun salutations, waking your body and your spirit. perhaps you plunge into a warm bath before choosing which pair of heels matches your pretty almond-hued dress. perhaps you let your thoughts become cursive writing on the recycled pages of a cloth-bound journal. the morning is ideal for starting the day with a fresh body, with a fresh mind and a fresh spirit.

let these yummy & nourishing suggestions inspire you to enjoy the perfect breakfast for you... and a brighter morning!

whole oatmeal or quinoa, with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cardamom

museli topped with greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey

any delicious, seasonal fruit from your produce market

roasted sweet potatoes with sea salt and tomato preserves

homemade granola squares that are quick and portable, made with pumpkin seeds and dried fruits

smoothies made with greens, fruits, cacao nibs, almond milk and spices

toasted ciabatta with fresh ricotta and sliced cherry tomato

almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans

homemade baked goods that incorporate whole grains and vitamin-rich produce, such as beetroot muffins, a zucchini loaf or whole-wheat blueberry scones

a warm cup of your favorite hot beverage, whether it be a fresh ginger infusion, an organic green tea, a rich espresso or warmed whole milk with chai-inspired spices

tell me: how do you greet each morning?

photo: pears in greek yogurt with honey and chopped pistachios. by robyn michelle-lee lifestyle photography

posted by robyn. visit her blog: this is life.

robyn michelle-lee is an ashtanga yogini, a foodie, a literature student, a photographer, a marketing assistant, and a lifestyle writer. live this moment - live your lifestyle.

west coast bound: let's connect! xx

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:17:00 +0000

dearest friends from san diego to vancouver,

i'm *so* excited about celebrating my MSW spring break by connecting with you out west. here's my itinerary including tv interviews and public events (some topped off with cupcakes, champagne, or tea!).

monday, march 8: 8:30am on bay city tv and 6:30pm in LA for event /book signing
tuesday, march 9: 3pm-4pm view from the bay in san francisco
wednesday, march 10: 8:30am-10am sacramento and company on news10
thursday, march 11: 8:30am-10am on am northwest + 7-8pm tea chai te for event/book signing in portland
friday, march 12: 5-7pm cucpakes + champagne (yum!) event/book signing in seattle
saturday, march 13: chillin' in portland. powells here i come.
sunday, march 14: journey via train to vancouver = divine!
monday, march 15: 8:30am-10am studio4 + 6-8pm event/book signing in vancouver
tuesday, march 16: return to dc. whew!

follow the experience on twitter (#tranquilistatour) and with live broadcasts via ustream.
so excited for *this* adventure and i hope our paths will cross. thank you for your support of all things tranquil.

bisous,
kimberly

signature style wednesdays: fashionable films

hello@kaileenelise.com (kaileenelise) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:25:00 +0000

i am a princess. all girls are.
even if they live in tiny old attics.
even if they dress in rags,
even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young.
they're still princesses. all of us.
(sara crewe in a little princess)

hello gorgeous tranquilistas!
i hope you are staying warm and enjoying a fabulous wednesday. in case we haven't met, please check out my most recent musings on unlocking creativity with glossy inspiration. this week's topic is fashionable films.

get cozy & pop in a dvd
there are so many wonderful movies that make for delightful eye candy on an indulgently lazy afternoon. clueless, confessions of a shopaholic, breakfast at tiffany's and dirty dancing all inspire me to be a sassy and stylish femme.

flicks such as a little princess, amélie, romeo & juliet, and almost famous remind me to believe in the beauty of my dreams. movies like titanic, shopgirl, and moulin rouge are inspiration for the hopeless romantic deep inside my soul.

in the netflix queue
i have heard wonderful things about the september issue, coco before channel and the young victoria. all three are about powerful chicas with timeless style. two movies i'm thrilled to see in theaters soon are sex in the city 2 and the runaways—both are anthems for fearless fashionistas.

what movies influence your style?
i would love to hear about the fashionable films you adore to watch again and again. are there flicks coming out that you are looking forward to see soon? please share your sassy style thoughts!

kaileenelise is a sparklista, yogini, artist, blogger & creative entrepreneur. tweet along & visit her website for musings on making every day an extraordinary adventure.

ballet-inspired spring sneak peek

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:22:00 +0000

sunday my photographer patrick, fabulous helper eden, and model allison gathered to bring the *new* spring collection to life. here are a few fun shots of the ballet-inspired collection featuring sugarplum purple and en pointe pink (named by tranquility du jour readers). note the look on allison's face as i'm coming in to remove a thread. we all loved that candid.

this season you'll see flared leggings in noir and colour, playful lettuce edging on most pieces, legwarmers, more tops that transition to skirts, a full short skirt, wraps, and more wraps. embrace your inner ballerina!

the collection will launch at TranquiliT.com late march.

bisous,
kimberly

tranquility du jour tv: making green smoothies

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:13:00 +0000

tranquil space teacher melissa van orman came over to the pink palace to show me your savvy green smoothie skills. here are two videos of us pulling together yumminess. i've been making them every day since. yay for more greens (and less sugar) in my diet. hope this helps you jump on the green smoothie bandwagon, too!

Part 1:

Part 2:

$ense & $ensibility Monday: Cheap, Chic Stationary

noreply@blogger.com (Katharine Albritton) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:31:00 +0000

I am a sucker for cute stationary. Journals, note cards, legal pads, planners, memos, cute labels – I love them all! If I had an unlimited budget, I would probably spend most of it on stationary.

Alas, I do not have an unlimited budget. When I need some more, I do budget in the printing of some formal correspondence and note cards with my name or monogram on them. You can never go wrong with a nice correspondence card, especially when it’s edged in hot pink!

But for day-to-day cards and notes, I don’t want to spend too much on them. That’s when the lovely thing called the internet comes into play. There are so many fantastic websites where you can find printable stationary for FREE. Yes, you read that right, for free!

One of my favorite sites is DIYPlanner.com. They have a ton of templates of planner formats, recipe cards, meal planners, and other paper goods submitted by readers. Just browse their Templates Directory to see what takes your fancy. If you’ve listened to Kimberly talk about Planner Pads and thought about getting one for yourself, look for Planner Pad-inspired templates on DIYPlanner to get a feel for how the system works. That’s how I first decided that buying an actual Planner Pad was worth the investment for myself!

One of my favorite resources is OnePrettyThing.com. Here you can find tons of different crafts. But, if you go to “Categories” and then choose “Printable Roundup” you’ll find a horde of free, cute printables for your life. From recipe cards to memos, you’ll fall in love with some of the things offered for free by designers. These Parisian calling cards always make me think of Kimberly! And these Tweet Love notecards make me want to leave fun notes around the apartment for my roommate. In fact, I think I might just do that tomorrow morning to brighten her day.

Cute stationary needn’t cost an arm and a leg. If you can afford fancier paper, go for it. But don’t forget that there’s a whole world of free printables out there, just waiting for you to print them out. Or, take a chance and design some yourself. See where your creativity leads you!

Katharine Albritton is an art market specialist and writer. Read her art market blog and follow her on twitter.

karaoke extravaganza

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:38:00 +0000

last night we joined the sweetest family *ever* for a night of singing. even louis got to come! i haven't indulged in karaoke since january 2005 and it was a total treat. we planned this special night months ago and sweet gota even donned his kimono (with a TranquiliT scarf as his sash).

our playlist was ecclectic with country, pop, girl power, and old school. here's a sampling of our songs: sweet caroline, i will survive, she thinks his name was john (reba mcentire song about contracting AIDS - probably not the best choice on my part), like a bird, lose yourself, islands in the stream, we are the world, not ready to make nice, crazy for you . . . and many, many more.

the hardest was eminem's lose yourself. most fun was we are the world. gota's mum brought yummy cupcakes, we sipped light beers, and served sir louis carrots.

highly recommend a night o' singing to hit the reset button!

bisous,
kimberly

week in review

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:35:00 +0000

whew, what a week! feel the same? i long to hang out in reclined twist for a few hours.

during one of my many podcast interviews this week, a guest mentioned the importance of doing a week in review to stay connected to accomplishments and bigger goals. it was a great reminder to pen a post today highlighting this week. here goes:

* recorded seven podcasts for tranquility du jour: ayurveda, yoga + wine, nutrition, mindful mammaing, style, and more!
* recorded a green smoothie making video with the lovely tranquil space teacher melissa van orman for tranquility du jour tv
* announced our challenging decision to close the tranquil space bethesda location mid-march. le sigh.
* had MRIs read and got a second cortisone shot in thumb and am scheduled for shoulder surgery next month. boo.
* ate half a box of thin mints after diagnosis today and feel surprisingly better!
* am working on a take home exam, stats paper, and studying for a stats text on monday.
* canceled sunday's TranquiliT trunk show to focus on sunday night spring shoot and spring launch. shop sale online.
* met with boxing teacher. focused on shadow boxing to reduce impact on shoulder. loved it. felt so good to get sweaty.
* left yoga class after first vinyasa due to silly thumb and shoulder. wanted to cry. instead got a big slice of pizza!
* tranquilista was featured in gaiam. yay!
* answered oodles of questions on formspring. more to come!
* finalizing west coast tour: san diego to vancouver march 8-16. full details next week.
* had two radio interviews on all things tranquilista.
* filled out field paperwork for MSW program, met with program coordinator, and have an interview at n street village next week re: internship. tres excited. they do great work for women!
* got flight for costa rica retreat.
* prepped photo sheet for sunday's spring shoot.
* reviewed analysis of tranquil space survey: 650 responses. will share soon.
* shipped oodles of books, CDs, and TranquiliT orders.
* coined new mantra: don noir, live pink.

tonight i'm off with beau, sir louis, gota, and his parents for a night o' karaoke. oh my! will be a wonderful relief after this crazy week. video to come - although i'm sure it will require oodles of editing. beau and i already have our chosen songs!

tomorrow i have an all-day "mindfulness on the job" workshop with the insight meditation group of washington. so excited! definitely need some grounding and reinforcement of ways to bring mindfulness into busy work life. promise to take good notes and share.

OMwork: take a moment to pen your own week in review. it is amazing what goes on in one week. pat yourself on the back for what you accomplish. check in on how it aligns with your bigger picture goals. tweak as needed. rinse and repeat.

you are beautiful. wishing you a fabulously phenomenal weekend. you deserve it. and maybe a thin mint, too.

bisous,
kimberly

don noir, live pink

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:59:00 +0000

when answering a question "pink or black?" on formspring, i replied "don noir, live pink." now, it's my new mantra.

i've been a fan of the all noir look for a few years now, making it quite challenging to find anything in my closet. on a positive note, everything matches and accessories pop. noir is chic, classic, dresses up or down, and makes me think audrey hepburn in breakfast at tiffany's.

my response to "live pink" is a reminder to be exuberant, relish in fun coupled with flair, surround yourself with girly, sparkliness. why not have a pink home when your neighbors all have beige? why not drive a pink vespa and stand out among the standard black ones? "live pink" is my new perfect reminder to bask in being 100% moi. why even try keep up with the jones'? savor being authentically you!

i'm donning noir, living pink. et toi?

bisous,
kimberly

(cc) pink house (cc) black dress

A Dose of Pleasure Thursday – Sensory Pleasure: Taste

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:51:00 +0000

It's time for another Dose of Pleasure! Last time we talked about using our nose to enhance our health and well-being (and, of course, our pleasure) and this week, I'd like to discuss taste. All of you foodies out there might be surprised, but it's believed that tast is the least refined of all our senses, as humans can perceive only 4 basic tastes (salty, sour, sweet, and bitter).

The sister science of yoga, Ayurveda, approaches the sense of taste a bit differently. According to this ancient Indian science, there are 6 tastes: sour, salty, astringent, pungent, bitter, and sweet. The teachings of Ayurveda urge us to include all 6 tastes in each meal to balance nutritional needs.

Here in the West, the different tastes are often linked to emotions, hence the term “comfort food.” Often we associate different foods with emotions or states of mind. Take chicken soup, for example. Many associate this warm, comforting dish with maternal love (I know many people who delight in eating and/or preparing their mother's or grandmother's chicken soup). Often familial celebrations or social gatherings revolve around food. Unfortunately, the increasingly faster pace of life and the advent of fast food has robbed us of taking our full pleasure in our sense of taste.

How many times have you rushed through a meal only to realize that you don't even remember what it tasted like? Do you chew your food or gobble it down quickly? Do you cook with spices? Do you vary the types of food you eat, or do you tend to eat the same food every day? Becoming more aware of your habits around food can help you enhance your sense of taste and derive more pleasure from it.

Here are some tips and resources to help you expand your capacity for pleasure through taste:

Try different types of foods and cuisines to excite your tastebuds. Some foods that delight my tastebuds include persimmons, dates, figs, cilantro, coconut water (from a fresh young coconut). Some delicious cuisines which use a variety of pleasure-enhancing spices to try include Indian, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, Afghan, and West African.

Slow down. Before you begin eating, take a few deep breaths, say a brief prayer of gratitude for the food you're about to eat and then eat mindfully. If eating mindfully is difficult for you, practice with this simple mindful eating exercise before you attempt it at meals. Some wonderful books on this topic that can help you change your relationship with food are: Slow Food: Collected Thoughts on Taste, Tradition, and the Honest Pleasures of Food, Slow Food Nation's Come to the Table: The Slow Food Way of Living, and The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss

Enhance your sense of taste by using a blindfold. You can do this by yourself or with a partner (which is so much fun). Simply gather a variety of foods on a plate. Blindfold yourself and then each morsel mindfully. By eliminating sight from the equation, you'll enhance your sense of smell and taste, which will increase the pleasure of your eating experience.

Think about your taste history. Think back to foods that ellict a response in you. Maybe it's your mother's meatloaf or tomato sauce that signified Sunday dinner with the family. Reflect back on foods that have an impact on you and taste the meal in your mind. Imagine the flavor, the texture, how it feels to bite into it and chew.

Savor all of the different tastes that you come across this week. Note the ones that you love, crave, and want more of. Indulge your sense of taste and notice the pleasure that it offers. I'll be back in a few weeks to discuss my favorite sense of all – touch.

Have a pleasure-filled day,

Diane

Diane Cesa is a yoga practitioner and teacher, lover of life, tea drinker, adventurer, eternal optimist, nature fan, blogger and self-proclaimed pleasure maven.

you're invited: san francisco tv show

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:08:00 +0000

dearest readers,

the west coast tour is shaping up nicely and consists of adventures, events, and tv from san diego to vancouver. full details to come.

if you're in the bay area, i'd *love* to meet you. i received this fun invite to join the audience of an ABC show, the view from the bay. see below and please come out if you can!

xx,
kimberly

you're invited:

I would like to extend a special invitation to Kimberly Wilson's friends, family and colleagues to be in our studio audience the day that she will be appearing on “The View From The Bay” Tuesday March 9th.

Meet Spencer Christian and Janelle Wang and get a chance to see the behind the scenes of a live television broadcast. Tickets for the show must be reserved in advance. Audience doors open at 2:15pm with a cut-off time of 2:30pm, the show is live from 3-4pm.

To reserve your seats please call the ticket request line at (415)-954-7733 or visit viewfromthebay.com and click on “be in our audience” and fill out a ticket request form. Or click on the here to go to our online ticket request form. Please be sure to note under “comments” if you are requesting a specific date to support someone scheduled to be on the show.

*Please note that all seats must be reserved in advance. Tickets that have been requested will be sent via an email confirmation with detailed instruction on where and when to arrive at the ABC studio.

(cc) san francisco victorians http://www.flickr.com/photos/svenhaiges/4232167373/

tranquility = butterfly pose

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:07:00 +0000

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~ Maya Angelou

Butterfly
This yoga pose works wonders on stretching the lower back and is stimulates the kidney meridian of the body – considered critical to fluid energy flow. Meridians (based on Chinese medicine) are invisible pathways through which energy flows. During an acupuncture session, needles are inserted into meridians to open blocked energy and allow it to flow freely through meridians. Yin yoga has a similar effect sans needles! Each pose stimulates a certain meridian and stretches the connective tissue of the body – rather than muscle in a typical yoga class.

Let's do it
To begin, sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together. Move your feet forward so that they form a diamond shape. Your knees will resemble butterfly wings – hence the pose name. Bend forward from your hips and round your spine. Let your head rest into the soles of your feet or onto a blanket or pillow that you place between your head and feet. Take deep full breaths and stay here one to five minutes.

Find your edge
With yoga we want to avoid pain. Find that sweet spot of sensation located between stagnation and pain. In yoga – and life – it’s referred to as “finding your edge.” If you are feeling any discomfort beyond strong sensation, back out of the pose by adding another pillow or lessening the time you hold the pose.

Benefits
Stimulating the kidney meridian helps to balance bodily fluids in the blood and circulatory system, lymphatic system, endocrine system, and urinary system; helps regulate blood pressure; offers an emotional opening and releases fear.

OMwork
Try a yin yoga class on DVD or at Tranquil Space. Pay attention to your energy – do you feel depleted or energized? Sit it butterfly for a few minutes a day. Note how it feels and observe your progression. Yoga is a journey and yin yoga is a yummy, slow, quiet practice.

Bisous,
Kimberly

Keeping in Touch with Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Old-Fashioned Girl) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:40:00 +0000

"If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all." ~ Pearl S. Buck

Full disclosure: I do not have children. However, I often play, "If I had kids . . ." as the kid-less have been known to do. Of course, I recognize much of how I think I'll handle raising kids will go out the window when I have them. Parenthood, I can see, is a learn-as-you-go experience.

I can't help but wonder though, what I'll do with regards to raising children in our constantly connected world. I love mentally retreating back to my childhood in large part because there was no Internet, and it's important to me that my children have some connection with a life that doesn't revolve around a computer.

I was talking to my cousin Alicia at Christmas. She has three children ages 6, 4, and 2, and she and her husband are just starting to think about how they're going to handle technology in the house as the kids get older. She told me that they'll probably do what a neighbor does with his teenagers, and that is this: The kids have cell phones but as soon as they walk in the house the phones are plugged into the "cell phone station" and they are not allowed to be used at home. This means all friends have to call the landline--and parents can have the old-fashioned exchange, "Oh hello Mrs. Clark. Is Bobby at home?" "Hi Timmy, How are you? Just one moment." As a result, parents have a better idea of who their kids are spending time with. There is no aimless texting at the dinner table or in front of the TV. Instead there is conversation and laughter--probably the occasional argument, too.

I think this is a fantastic idea. Making home a cell-phone free zone. I'm sure it irritates the kids the same way limited TV time irritated me. And as an adult I say, "Thank you mom and dad for caring enough to monitor and limit my TV time!"

Whether it be no cell phones at home or only an hour of Facebook at night, it's important that we monitor our children (as parents and as a community) and teach them how to live a balanced life. (No cells phones at the dinner table might do us adults some good, too).

Samara O'Shea is an author and professional letter writer. Visit her at LetterLover.net and follow her on Twitter.

Photo: Me and my three-year-old cousin Annalise. I'm pleased to report that her favorite pastimes include playing hide and seek as well as yelling someone's name and running in the opposite direction. She has no interest in texting or putting together a profile on Facebook.

tranquility du jour #173: tranquilista

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:51:00 +0000

direct download (mp3)

Bonjour. Welcome to the 173rd edition of Tranquility du Jour: A Guide to Bringing Tranquility to your Every Day. Today’s show features happenings and musings on Tranquilista with moi.

Tranquilista Lifestyle: Joie de Vivre: Join me for a 6-week ecourse focusing on the main modules outlined in Tranquilista. Our six sessions will highlight ways to shape your world with spirituality, do-gooding, creativity, style, and entrepreneurship. Launches March 24.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next Tranquilology Teleclass "Bloom into Spring" on Monday, March 22 at 9pm ET. $10. View petals from winter's teleclass.

Workshops + Retreats: Consider joining me on the west coast March 7-12, a Virtual Art Retreat with Wish Studio's Creative Cast April 30-May 2, a week long Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in lush Costa Rica May 29-June 5, a Tranquilista Retreat at Kripalu July 5-9, Denver workshops July 16-17, and a Yoga Retreat in India November 12-21.

Featured Tranquilista: Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, writer, do-gooder, entrepreneur, and eco-fashion designer currently obsessed with Paris, potbelly pigs, and all things sparkly. She is the creative director and founder of Tranquil Space – named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by Travel + Leisure, author of Hip Tranquil Chick and Tranquilista, and holds a Master’s in Women’s Studies.

When not bookstore browsing, you'll find her sipping heaps of tea, crafting new designs for TranquiliT, or leading retreats. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly created Tranquil Space Foundation to bring yoga, creativity, and leadership to women and girls and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work.

She lives in a petite pink palace in Washington, D.C. with two fancy felines named after French impressionists, a supportive beau, and Sir Louis the Pug.

Savvy Sources:
Website: kimberlywilson.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/tranquilista
Facebook: Facebook.com/kimberlywilson
Fan: Facebook.com/tranquilista
Formspring: Formspring.me/tranquilista
Fun features: DC Style Spot, Self Help Daily, Gaim, Washington Post Express, Let's Talk Live, Pamela's Punch
Review Tranquilista: Amazon.com

Stay Au Courant: Create a home practice. Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download Tranquility du Jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly Tranquility du Jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour . Explore mentoring with moi. Peruse Hip Tranquil Chick. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation. Sign up for my museletter. Order a signed copy of Tranquilista. Join Tranquilista's fan page. Tranquil Space Foundation's hosting LunaFest.

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Dark Horse by Panda Transport. You can learn more about them at pandatransport.com.

- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes

- New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast Alley

- 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.

- Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

new Q+A addition to tranquility du jour

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:29:00 +0000

dearest readers,

ever since attending the informative blogher conference late 2008, i've planned on setting up a Q+A on my blog or website. alas, it is 1.5 years later and the to-do has fallen off my list. so, when i found out about formspring, i signed up with the intention of offering an easy forum for sharing Q+A. i hope this will offer some informative, inspirational banter between us!

now, ask away.

bisous,
kimberly

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things that make moi smile

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:41:00 +0000

things that make moi smile:

flaky croissants, fluffy blankets, snow covered trees, starry nights, sleeping in, baddha konasana, cupcakes, pug kisses, potbelly pigs, campfires, dogs donning accessories, kirtan, pink boxing gloves, sparkly eye shadow, pots of tea, agave nectar, being named the sprinkles cupcakes BFF, heated blankets, eccentricity, memoirs, organic food, papaya, country air, lavender-scented eye pillows, spending time with my journal, getting crafty, traveling to new places.

et toi? what brings you joy? how can you sprinkle does of it into your weekend?

bisous,
kimberly