Hip Tranquil Chick

by Kimberly Wilson

Hip Tranquil Chick addresses that huge but unacknowledged demographic of fashionistas equally at home at Bergdorf’s and the yoga studio. The book is divided into two major sections that cover all bases for the style-minded seeker. "On the Mat" shares seven must-have modern-girl yoga sequences, such as "Healing Hip Openers" and "Negativity Releasing Heart Openers,” and explains yoga philosophy in hip chick language. "Off the Mat" showcases nine ways to become more fabulous and balanced by incorporating yogic qualities like introspection, strength, and flexibility into daily life. The nine lifestyle chapters reveal how to turn on-the-mat wear into on-the-town style, how to create soulful surroundings at home and work, mindful money management, finding a passion-filled career, how strategic soiree-throwing creates community, tips for practicing social consciousness, and more. Each chapter is accompanied by helpful "OMwork" to translate these concepts into reality. Abundant illustrations accentuate the text, and a "savvy sources" section encourages further exploration.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

I'm a writer and psychotherapist who dreams of Paris and global animal welfare.

You'll often find me sipping fragrant green tea, practicing dégagés in pink ballet slippers, or hosting online events.

My work has been featured in US News & World Reports, Washingtonian, Fast Company, Yoga Journal, and Bella Grace.

I live in a petite pink palace in Washington, D.C. with a side of Paris.

Reviews

[Jennifer]

ugh. While I think Ms. Wilson has good intentions, this book is just too contradictory. "resist consumerism! be happy with what you have!" "have five black skirts! have peppermint foot scrub! have bubble baths! have! have! have! have!" I kept reading it wondering if the author had been around four pages ago. Remember four pages ago? It was fun wasn't it?

I think all of the topics attempted are great - yoga, finances, fashion, etc - but I think there are far better books out there that are just as fun and informative, not to mention chic and current.

[Angi M]

I originally only looked at this book because I was searching for new yoga poses. Turns out it's only marginally about yoga. It's a really good book if you've been feeling stuck, or haven't gotten out much lately. Very inspiring. It will help you get your butt off the couch. And get rid of the old, ugly things at the back of your closet, too.

[Riona]

Hideous: Like Helen Gurley Brown threw up in the Spirituality aisle of Target's book section.

[April McGrew]

A practical guide to applying a yoga lifestyle. for any woman daring to be a little different, a little eccentric, a little fearless, this book can be great resource. Kimberly also suggests the resources that have inspired her, along with some great tunes and ideas in the "Om-Work" sections at the end of each chapter.

Kimberly Wilson started a yoga studio in her living room (lovingly dubbed the "Pink Palace", pink being her signature color). When her student "following" got too large, her studio was born (Tranquil Space in Washington D.C.), she then launched her own clothing line (TranquiliT, bamboo yoga wear that transitions well from the studio to the street, to a more professional office environment), since then she's launched her non-profit organization for teenage girls (Tranquil Space Foundation), and a jewelry line (Tranquilista), featuring one of a kind creations of Kimberly's design.

Kimberly also has a podcast and blog that follow closely with the book, rather the book follows closely with her podcast and blog.

[Kelly Tobin]

Buy the book here at: http://www.hiptranquilchick.com/shop....

This book is a super fun read! I read it on the plane on the way home to Boston, and then my Mom snatched it from me! I got another copy--- and I think I lent it to another friend. Needless to say I don't currently have my own, but you can
buy the book at: http://www.hiptranquilchick.com/shop....

Info from the fabulous website:

Finally a book for the busy girl-on-the-go seeking to combine tranquility with flair. Hip Tranquil Chick is a must-have guide for the modern girl filled with tips, tools, how-tos, and inspiration for leading a mindfully extravagant life. With chapters on yoga philosophy in hip chick language, creativity, social consciousness, financial finesse, signature style, and more, this book fully addresses your lifestyle on and off the yoga mat. Each chapter is accompanied by helpful "OMwork" to translate these concepts into reality. Abundant illustrations accentuate the text, and a "savvy sources" section encourages further exploration.

[Amanda]

I had run into a lot of the ideas in this book from other places. However, I really enjoyed the fun, spunky presentation of this book. The organization of the chapters divides ideas up very well, and the topics are punctuated by shorter tips and sidebars to make it a pleasure to page through. The "OmWork" (super cute name for the personal growth activity suggestions for this yoga-based book) at the end of each chapter helps turn this book into a useful tool.

A friend hosted a girls' night in to discuss this book. Truly one of the best girls' nights ever! I'm grateful to her for introducing me to "Hip Tranquil Chick".

[Em]

Kimberly Wilson has a personable, chatty style of writing and her book aims to reconcile the practice of yoga with the western, commercial world which we inhabit.

The book covers areas from types of yoga, yoga poses, breathing and applying these techniques to everyday life. There are practical suggstions with regards to your home, your relationships and career as well as some good ways of using yoga to help you deal with lifes challenges. As with any book of this nature, you take what applies and what strikes a chord with you and leave what doesn't but in all I like her approach.

[Juliette Morris Williams]

Well intentioned, with great advice and a supportive vocabulary. I have been struggling with how to describe this book a bit more, but honestly - I think I'm just not really into Ms. Wilson's personality.

She's very driven, very focused on what works for her, and that's wonderful. It's just a bit too 'much' for me, I think.

[Jodi]

I actually thought this book was fun but still really provided a lot of great ideas on how to incorporate yoga into daily life. You know from the title that you'll be getting a lot of fluffy references to cosmos and kitten heels, but I thought the author came across as excited about yoga, provided great information on how it can really improve your life, without taking herself too seriously.

[Minay]

A pleasant book for adding simple yoga techniques to one's self-improvement plan. Calm, rational suggestions and information. Anyone can benefit just from browsing the book or from applying a principle or two. not a hyper disciplined approach unless you choose to put that emphasis on it.

[Jenn]

An insightful tool for those who like yoga, think they want to add more tranquility to their lives and those who are searching for more of their true selves. I appreciate the spirit of the book and the easy ways to incorporate yoga in to daily life. I highly recommend it.

[Erin]

Seemingly a little shallow at times (are we all really rushing off to dates, dinner parties, and fabulous museums?), this book nevertheless has some great instruction on basic yoga poses and how to incorporate yoga principles into your life both on and off the mat. It's a fun, easy read.

[Amanda]

Despite the fluffy title, this book is full of useful information for someone just starting yoga. It gives an easy-to-understand breakdown of the spiritual principles of yoga and tips on using yoga to cope with life. I'd highly recommend it for anyone interested in giving yoga a try.

[Kimba]

Fun, empowering, enlightening, if a little too lean. Still, a good jumping-off point for women looking to kickstart a spiritual practice, delve deeper with their yoga or initiate self-inquiry.

[Leslie]

I enjoyed this book -- a light easy-to-pick-up-and-put-down book that offers up great advice for achieving that "yoga-esque" balance in all areas of life.

[Becky]

I browsed this at my spa day in between massages. It had some really nice quotes that I will try and get to post here on my review.

[Paula Reitzel]

can't wait for kimberly's next book "Tranquility" to come out! this is a great book for women who feel overwhelmed in life :)

[T.]

I really liked it! I love a pink, girly book. My favorite sections are: yoga, goals, and financial. I like the quotes sprinkled throughout the book, too.

[hija de bruja]

Entertaining.

[Maura Danehey]

Even after more than five years, I still return to the many quotes I highlighted | circled | promised I wouldn't forget | etc., for inspiration and energetic rejuvenation ... and have passed the book along to many a loved one (As well as recommended my local libraries invest in purchasing it.). A fun-read guidebook that offers tips and tricks to invigorate your life, instead of making you feel like you need "self-help" to completely "redo" it.

[Cyd]

I bought this used when I was just starting yoga, and then didn't finish it for a couple years. Once again, an unexpected connection emerged to my current efforts to declutter and simplify. Even though I'm not in the target demographic for this book, I found parts of it resonated quite a lot with my developing Franciscanism.

[Christine Miller]

I love Kimberly's practical, soulful approach to creating bliss and tranquility in my life. I pull out this book whenever I need a quick dose of inspiration.

[Dayla]

I became a hip tranquil chick, after reading Ms. Wilson's book.

[Em]

I have taken some positive things from this book, some nice vinyasana flows that I'd like to introduce into my yoga practice and some handy hints and tips along the way, its readable and has a sense of fun - it's been interesting to revisit it. However, I don't share all the values that the book is promoting, I think it's probably aimed at a more fashion conscious, socialite and I hate to be ageist but 20 something yoga chick, it's incongruous with my personal approach to yoga, meditation and spiritual reflection.

[Mare S]

I really enjoy Kimberly Wilson's blog and am still a beginner at yoga and thought this book would be a great asset. There were great nuggets of information and some of the diagrams of poses were useful, but I feel like the audience that this book attracts is probably aware of a lot of the beginner's yoga information.

I also think this might be one of those books that works better in audio format (less the yoga diagrams part) as the pages are very busy with tips, stories, the main information, and resources. It could be a little overwhelming to the eye, but it is all good information.

[K]

I listen to this blog occasionally and find the author to be rather vapid and pseudo-spiritual. I can't really take spirituality advice from a woman who uses the word 'cute' so liberally and recommends buying a Marc Jacobs Stella bag after discussing the eightfold path.

She seems nice and does give occasional good advice, but nothing even slightly profound. I much prefer Steve Ross' 'Happy Yoga'.

[Melissa Connolly]

I had trouble getting into this book at first, but once I did, I was glad. It has some great nuggets and tips for a more creative, balanced life. I read this book, along with two others, in a creativity workshop and found it helpful to discuss and work through it together. You can read my full review and about my experience in the workshop on my blog here: http://melissaconnolly.blogspot.com/2....

[Carolyn]

This book was like I wrote it myself! I beyond love it and will re- read it again!

[Amy]

A good book, easy read. Will be a 'good revisit parts of it' kind of book.

[Rebecca Nicely]

Loved this book!