by Kimberly Wilson

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Plato

Happiest of New Years to You!

It’s that special time of the year where you may take a step back to evaluate where you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re heading. On my flight back from visiting family in Oklahoma last week, I took some time to list my 2009 highlights, lessons learned and dreams for 2010. This process is cathartic and offers an opportunity to take stock annually to ensure movement in the right direction.

For yogis this is an important aspect of our practice and it’s called svadyaya – self study – which is one of the moral codes of yoga. I love the above quote by Plato as it’s the perfect reminder to slow down, reflect, explore, and dig deeper. Pull out your journal, grab a mug of tea, and let’s indulge in self-study for a moment.

I wanted to share a few of my 2009 highlights with you: learning about mindfulness-based stress reduction, spending 10 days in Paris, leading retreats in Costa Rica and New York, returning to school to pursue MSW, Tranquil Space Foundation’s film festival, celebrating Tranquil Space’s 10-year birthday with you, penning Tranquilista, releasing a 4th yoga to go CD, and celebrating 5 years with my supportive beau. All in all, a productive, blessed year. What are yours? Can you bring them together in visual form? Doodle the highlights, mindmap, or simply list them.

Lessons learned (and continue to relearn – as Pema Chodron reminds us, the same challenges keep reappearing until we’ve learned the lesson they have come to teach us): ask for what you need, speak with compassion (recently picked up nonviolent communication and can’t wait to read it), keep working with word of the year “spaciousness” and remember it when overscheduling or overcommitting, declutter daily, savor the simple things (lesson brought back from Parisians who you’d never catch with a to-go cup). What lessons are you taking away from your experiences this year?

Now it’s time to look forward. What do you want 2010 to hold? More strategic use of time and energy. Since I oversee four organizations including three yoga studios, manage five business bank accounts and one personal (not my cup o’ tea), “mother” three furry creatures, and am a grad student, this is more important than ever. Continuation of weekly boxing classes. Design new e-course based on Tranquilista or living your yoga. Set up my etsy store. Daily meditation. Host monthly dinners at chez moi. Return to dance. Daily sun salutations. More you tube videos. When you ponder what you want your life to look like December 31, 2010, what do you see? Take a moment to collage, draw, dream, or paint it.

As we cross the threshold into a brand new decade, I wish you oodles of tranquility. Raise a glass to 2009. Honor your efforts. Choose a word to focus on in 2010 – my attachment to “spaciousness” will continue. Relish in being uniquely, fabulously you. As Pema Chodron reminds us, you are perfect just as you are. I like to think that we can simply add dashes of enhancements (like the boosts we add to our smoothies at a juice bar) through practices of self-study and adherence to the above mantra.

Let your life sparkle and shine in 2010. Namaste.
follow moi on twitter: twitter.com/tranquilista

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

How do geese know when to fly to the sun? Who tells them the seasons? How do we, humans know when it is time to move on? As with the migrant birds, so surely with us, there is a voice within if only we would listen to it, that tells us certainly when to go forth into the unknown. – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

I was delighted to see leaves in shades of red and gold while kicking back on a screened porch in the woods last weekend. A fresh season is upon us and I’m grateful for the cool breeze accompanying it. As summer comes to a close over the next few weeks, I encourage you to spend some time in svadhyaya (self-study). As nature changes around you, it prompts you to turn within and make your own changes.

Each fall I grab a hot cocoa, curl up with a comforter, and pull out the Wheel of Life exercise (see page 73 of Hip Tranquil Chick), which you may have been exposed to during workshops, while working with a coach, or on any retreat with me. This exercise has you assess your level of satisfaction with areas such as health, home environment, education, finances, relationships, joy, creativity, self-care, career, and spirituality. Your level of satisfaction could easily change daily, depending on positive feedback at the office, a messy home, a breakup, or a lingering cold. By taking a look at these categories on a seasonal basis, you can establish action steps to move past stagnation. This also allows you to catch any brewing dissatisfaction that may be beneath the surface.

Yoga allows us the opportunity to move out of our head and into our bodies. Listen within. What beckons you? What is calling for change or exploration? Just as we explore our edge on the yoga mat by seeking that place of sensation past the comfort zone before pain, I encourage you to find your edge off the mat this fall. I’m joining you on this exploration by returning to graduate school to pursue a Master’s in Social Work. What will be your new pursuit or surrender this season?
follow moi on twitter: twitter.com/tranquilista

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

“our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. it is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. we ask ourselves, who am i to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? actually, who are you not to be? you are a child of god. your playing small doesn’t serve the world. there’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. we are all meant to shine, as children do. we are born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us. it’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – marianne williamson

how often do you step back to reflect on how brightly you are shining? i know, probably not a typical reflection over your morning cup of joe or green tea. that’s why i wanted to bring the question to light in this month’s muse and share some ideas on ways to shine. this past month has been full of project after project. slowly picking up the pieces of a whirlwind month.

shining and putting my best self forward can be daunting when juggling deadlines, disorganization at home, care for three beloved animals, personal relationships, and growth plans for organizations. considering i know everyone reading this has a similar situation of juggling work, home, and yoga practice, i felt it apropos to share some tips on staying tranquil and shining amidst transition, deadlines, and chaos:

1. keep up your yoga routine. schedule it into your planner as a non-negotiable – similar to a dentist appointment.

2. carve out fun time. yes, you have deadlines, but in order to be fresh, you have to replenish.

3. indulge in a staycation. traveling is exotic, but can also be stressful. why not play tourist in dc?

4. stay hydrated. when you get in the zone of a project, it can be tough to take time out for basic needs. it’s key to keep your body full of h2o – preferably with a slice of lemon.

5. make time for friends. a quick mug of tea, meeting up for a yoga class, or simply sending a “thinking of you” note helps you stay connected.

6. seek inspiration. i surround myself with inspiring images of paris (my latest obsession), flowers, art, and yoga poses, love reading inspiring updates via twitter, and find solace in the many books that surround me.

7. light candles. even when my home is in chaos from a new delivery of inventory or days of neglect, i am sure to have candles or incense burning to enliven my senses.

8. breathe deeply and observe your sensations. when feeling overwhelmed, this simple task can have profound results. close your eyes, take ten deep breaths, and be fully present in the moment.

9. do things differently. making small shifts to your everyday routine can help bring forth sparkling results.

10. be authentically you. wear a flower in your hair. listen to krishna das at the office. paint your walls yellow. write with a pink pen.

may the final down dog days of summer offer you a burst of tranquility and the chance to shine forth. remember, you are meant to shine brightly. how can you turn the light up a few notches this week?

follow moi on twitter: twitter.com/tranquilista

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” — Mary Lou Cook

Looking for a change of pace or an activity to put spring in your step? Stepping outside the comfort zone to explore new experiences can have a profound effect on elevating a mood and overall zest for life. Below are a few ways to live out loud and embrace your creative spark along the way:

Get artsy: I use “artsy” to cover a few mediums such as pottery, sculpting, drawing, watercolor, and painting. Picking up a book, taking a group class, or working one on one with a tutor offers you a chance to create in ways you may have never thought possible. There is something *incredibly* zen about working with clay, or taking your palette, easel, and canvas to the local park to capture summer flowers.

Get centered: In order to let creativity flow, it’s helpful to set up a creative ritual. I like to light a candle, fire up nag champa incense, and have a cup of tea nearby. You may find setting an intention, meditating, or doing a few sun salutes to be particularly grounding.

Get inspired: Indulge in an artist date – a weekly one-hour solo excursion to indulge your creative side. I like to take this a step further with occasional solo nights, days, or even weeks. Think of your artist date as replenishing your creative well, nurturing your inner artist, and allowing yourself the chance to find inspiration. Visit a museum, browse a bookstore, meditate, go for a hike, explore the Arboretum or Botanical Gardens, savor jazz in the Sculpture Garden, try yin yoga, listen to live music at Wolf Trap.

Get your sparkle on: Make your own necklace. Choose your beads and gather your supplies. You’ll need two crimps, wire, a design board, closure, flat-nose pliers, and scissors. Lay your beads out on the board in a design that most appeals. Thread the wire through the beads and leave a few extra inches. Add the crimp to one side and then the closure. Slide the wire back through the crimp and use your flat-nose pliers to close it tightly. Clip off excess wire. Repeat on the other side.

Get your hands dirty: The act of planting something and watching it grow can be very rewarding. We, too, are little seedlings constantly growing, thanks to water, love, and light. Planting a few herbs in your apartment windowsill or an entire wildflower garden in your backyard can give you a little glimpse of Central Park in your ‘hood. This endeavor takes a few gardening tools, soil, seeds or seedlings, sunlight and a dash of know-how.

Omwork: Explore ways to add more color, glitter, belly laughs, yoga, and light into your everyday. Put your personal stamp on everything that you put out to the world. Namaste.

follow moi on twitter: twitter.com/tranquilista

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

written June 2009

Wondering how to stretch your dollar while also nurturing your body and mind? In this economy, it is essential that you take time to care for yourself while working within your budget. It’s easy to retreat into a state of removing small indulgences when tightening your budgeting belt. I’d like to share a few ways that I’ve found incredibly helpful for not only my pocketbook, but also my overall health.

Pack your lunch. Find yourself running out for an expensive, not-so-healthy snack mid-day? Pull your veggies, protein, bag of nuts, and fruit together the night before.

Bike, walk, or take public transport to work. Spend a lot on your daily commute and parking? Explore additional options that will allow you to breathe deeply, read or listen to a book, and maybe even get some exercise along the way.

Visit your local library. Addicted to bookstore browsing? Not a problem unless it translates to lots of unread books on your shelves. Try browsing your local library instead.

Download a movie. Love a matinee and tub of popcorn? Savor an indie flick or documentary in the comfort of your own home with family and four-legged friends nearby. Make your own light popcorn, sip tea or wine, and enjoy a movie on your own terms.

Carry a reusable water bottle. Find yourself parched while out and about? Forgo buying bottle water or sodas. Never leave home without your reusable water bottle that can easily be refilled at water fountains.

Take a staycation. Got the travel bug? Indulge in an exploration of the D.C. area. Full of free museums, amazing history, cultural events, and heaps of parks and gardens – you’ll be sure to find a perfect fit in your own backyard.

Make your gifts. Have upcoming birthdays or special events that require a gift? Explore getting crafty. Bead a necklace. Knit a scarf. Write a poem. Photograph their beloved pet. Bake a pie.

These small changes can have a powerful effect on revamping your creativity, developing foresight, carrying for the environment, supporting your local economy, nurturing your spirit, and slowing your spending.

Omwork (homework with a yogic twist): Reflect on a least one way to replace an old habit with a healthier, budget savvy habit. Note the savings and effect on your overall wellbeing. Ommmm for your body and your budget!
follow moi on twitter: twitter.com/tranquilista

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

written May 2009

never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. – margaret mead

welcome to may! lots of may flowers from april’s showers here in the nation’s capital. as my yoga studio, tranquil space, turns ten this year, i’ve done a lot of reflection on how we’ve evolved over the years and like to hope we’re doing our part to change the world. each day, it’s ideal to ponder small ways in which your actions can make a difference whether you head an organization, are a stay-at-home mum, or feel like a worker bee. i believe that organizations and individuals shine best when giving back.

wondering how to incorporate a little day-to-day do-gooding? below are a few, simple ways to make a difference in your daily life:

1. exude kindness: smile, say “thank you” often, listen fully.
2. get active: support a cause with all your heart and oodles of resources.
3. build community: gather like-minded individuals to find support and combine efforts.
4. give back: share your resources, plant a community garden, pick up trash.
5. go green: reuse paper, eat in season, switch to wind-powered electricity.
6. be present: give others your full attention.
7. reach out: touch base with loved ones. send “thinking of you” e-mails.
8. live simply: pack your lunch, savor tea sipping, trim expenses.
9. be beautiful: put your best self forward. always do your best.
10. live your yoga: lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.

maya angelou reminds us, “i’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” may we all work daily to leave a memorable mark on the world. after all, that’s what yoga is all about. what is your do-gooding to-do du jour?

let’s leave a legacy,
kimberly wilson

follow moi on twitter: twitter.com/tranquilista

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. – anais nin

welcome to april. i’m fresh back from leading a retreat at a beautiful farmhouse in new york where we spent a lot of time focusing on our intentions for spring. this quote by anais nin has been a favorite for years and felt appropriate to share this month as nature is in full bloom around us.

we’re through the first quarter of a new year. how does it feel? how are your intentions unraveling? what would you like to explore further? at tranquil space, we teach that finding your edge on the mat is that point of sensation – not pain, and not lack of feeling. life is similar. if you stay in our comfort zone, you lack feelings of sensation and fall into stagnation. if you step too far outside your comfort zone, you can experience pain. the trick is to find that balance of joyful, challenging sensation that ultimately leads us to full-fledged blossoming. what would that look like for you?

to push myself out of my oh-so-comfy comfort zone, i have signed up for the army 10-miler, taken up boxing (pink gloves, of course!), am starting a cleanse (gotta shed my organic gummy bear addiction), and signed up for a 10-week creative non-fiction class. what micromovements (small steps toward a larger goal) can you take this month to explore your spirit on a different level?

below is a list of ideas – some small, some large – to help you explore life outside of your comfort zone, gain inspiration, and find a newfound sense of blooming: take up tango, go to an art gallery, take a mental health day, sign up for a language class, jump into a yoga 2 class, create a morning ritual, try knitting, write a book proposal, start a blog, bake bread, read a biography on someone you admire, start a book club, design a vision board, meditate for 10 minutes each day, launch a socially conscious business, switch to 100% wind-powered energy, compost, volunteer, adopt an animal, smile at someone on the metro, try an arm balancing pose, subscribe to yoga journal, forgive, write a screenplay, browse a bookstore for hours, let go of the past, move to a new city, try a new career, return to graduate school, form a support group, try art therapy, take a leadership intensive, schedule unscheduled time, doodle, explore aromatherapy, get a massage, indulge in a pedicure, wear red lipstick, take a staycation, write out your 5 year goals, journal write, send snail mail cards with tea bags inside to loved ones, write in colored pens, travel solo, take a road trip to a nearby winery, hike in the hills, pack a picnic, paint your walls, pray, design a dress, chant, set an intention each day.

let’s bloom,
kimberly wilson

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

“Yoga is about making friends with life and with yourself. There is no lifestyle, no occupation, no situation that cannot be greatly enhanced by yoga. Yoga is not something that should be set apart from one’s life. Rather it should become the taproot from which the other aspects of your life are nourished and regenerated.” ~Godfrey Devereaux

Welcome to March. Welcome to the promise of Spring. In DC, February tends to be a hard month – cold, dark, and dreary. March is full of promise. Cherry blossoms are around the corner. Yellow daffodils will soon start peeking up through the barren earth. We’ll begin shedding the many layers that have bound us during the winter months. At tranquil space, we’re offering oodles of events, classes, and retreats to assist you with blooming into spring.

The above quote speaks volumes on the value of yoga. I reread it and use it regularly. At Tranquil Space we focus on yoga as a lifestyle, not just the physical practice of poses. Our thoughts, words, and actions all have the power to enhance others when chosen wisely. What does it matter if you can do a perfect handstand, but you do work everyday that isn’t aligned with your values? Or you meditate daily, but struggle in your relationships? The practice of yoga seeps into every aspect of our being beckoning us to become more and more mindful.

This month take a moment to reflect on how your aspirations are unfolding. It’s so easy to go through life on auto-pilot reacting only to daily drama; it takes courage to reflect. Are you still taking one step daily toward your goals? Do the goals you set at the beginning of the year still resonate? Are you starting to feel antsy with your current reality? What’s at the root of the feeling? Sometimes a few simple moments alone with your thoughts or writing in your journal can bring great clarity for moving forward. Recently I spent a day at the National Cathedral during the Women’s Spirituality event and I found the experience to be incredibly moving. Simply being in the reflective space had profound effects.

These challenging economic times have brought about a nice push toward simplicity and this month is perfect for embarking on the movement. Relish in simple pleasures. Clean our your closets. Pack your lunch. Take your vitamins. Spend time with friends. Soak in the tub. Take a yin class. Do legs up the wall. Sip hot tea (sweet rose by Tulsi is my new favorite). Write a thank you note. Take a few moments to just be – no agenda. May this new season offer you fresh insights, cut flowers, and sacred time for renewal.

Tranquilly yours,
Kimberly Wilson

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

by Kimberly Wilson

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

welcome to a month focused on love and filled with yummy carnation hearts, chilly weather, and whispers of adoration. i like to think of self-love as an underlying theme for february. even if you don’t have a valentine, love can still be your focus this month by encouraging the focus 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 someone 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, 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, soaking in the tub, sipping green tea or hot cocoa topped with whipped cream, putting your legs up the wall, trying something new, nesting, basking in a yin yoga practice, and shaking up your routine by doing things differently.

yoga means union and, as practitioners, we’re seeking union within our mind, body, and spirit. creating balance within your life is the ultimate way to live your yoga practice and evoke self-care. asana – the physical practice of yoga – is only one of the eight limbs of yoga. the others involve meditation, deep concentration, 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. when you’re weary and need a rest, try a forward fold.

may february reconnect you to a sense of wholeness coupled with lifelong romance. you deserve it.

tranquilly yours,
kimberly wilson

visit tranquility du jour for musings on lifestyle with a yogic twist and biweekly podcasts.

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

* * * *

Out Impact is your gay online magazine for gay men and women in the LGBTQ community and our allies, encouraging readers to create a positive impact in the gay community. Our content focuses on activism/philanthropy; expert advice for your professional life; pet care by leading experts; a yoga/wellness column in health, spirituality and wellness; as well as columns in food, comics, fashion, an expert travel specialist; engaging features in the arts and more. We have movie, music and book reviews, as well as the latest interviews. Out Impact also produces events benefiting various non-profits around the country, as well as comprehensive media campaigns to raise awareness for various philanthropic causes while bridging the non-profit, activism, artistic and gay communities. OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.

To subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest at Out Impact, as well as exclusive content and giveaways please visit: http://www.outimpact.com/out-impact-newsletter/.

cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~ oprah winfrey

bonjour and welcome to 2009! this is our chance to get it right, start anew, and make some changes. the possibilities are endless. a new beginning is offered every day, not just january 1. 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 consciously through reflection, intention, and action.

reflection: reflect on lessons learned in 2008. write out a year in review. note highlights, lessons learned, and what you have to be grateful for from these key experiences.

intention: 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 2009 to look like. become mindful of qualities you hope to cultivate.

action: create action steps on how you plan to get there. post these action steps where you see them every day.

sample reflection: feeling stagnant and in need of more doing things differently.
sample intention: i want to live more creatively.
sample action: sign up for a watercolor class, wear red, learn the tango, browse the creativity section of amazon.com, read the artist’s way, try your hand at DIY projects sign up for french lessons, start that novel, get a sewing machine.

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 2009 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!

tranquilly yours,

kimberly wilson
tranquility du jour

* * *

About our Hip Tranquil Chick, Kimberly Wilson:

Kimberly Wilson is a teacher, designer, writer, activist, and entrepreneur with a master’s in women’s studies. She is the founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington, D.C. She penned Hip Tranquil Chick with hopes of inspiring fellow femmes to lead a mindfully extravagant life on and off the yoga mat. When she’s not bookstore browsing, you’ll find her designing the eco-luxe TranquiliT lifestyle clothing collection and her chunky gemstone jewelry line, sipping tea, or leading retreats globally. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio and in Daily Candy, Fit Yoga, and Shape. With a passion for do-gooding, Kimberly founded the Tranquil Space Foundation to assist young girls with finding their inner voice. Indulge in ongoing musings through her blog and podcast. Learn more at www.kimberlywilson.com.

* * * *

Out Impact is your gay online magazine for gay men and women in the LGBTQ community and our allies, encouraging readers to create a positive impact in the gay community. Our content focuses on activism/philanthropy; expert advice for your professional life; pet care by leading experts; a yoga/wellness column in health, spirituality and wellness; as well as columns in food, comics, fashion, an expert travel specialist; engaging features in the arts and more. We have movie, music and book reviews, as well as the latest interviews. Out Impact also produces events benefiting various non-profits around the country, as well as comprehensive media campaigns to raise awareness for various philanthropic causes while bridging the non-profit, activism, artistic and gay communities. OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.

To subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest at Out Impact, as well as exclusive content and giveaways please visit: http://www.outimpact.com/out-impact-newsletter/.