3 Tranquility Tips from Kimberly Wilson
I want to introduce you to one of the most interesting people I’ve met, Kimberly Wilson. In 1999 she founded Tranquil Space in Washington, DC, which was named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by Travel + Leisure. Since selling Tranquil Space she’s focused on her psychotherapy practice, serves as president of the Pigs & Pugs project and designs an eco-fashion line, TDJ.
It’s safe to say she’s something of an expert on tranquil living; she even wrote six books and created a planner for it. So, I thought it’d be fun to tap into her knowledge and gain insight into how we can take our own sense of tranquility to the next level.
Kimberly, you’ve been involved in numerous ventures to bring tranquility to others. How do you bring tranquility into your own life?
Great question! You know what they say, we teach what we most need to learn. I'm big on the basics—good sleep (must-haves: ear plugs, satin pillowcases, snoring pugs), daily movement (currently obsessed with ballet after two decades of yoga), whole foods (although I struggle with a strong sugar addiction), staying hydrated (you'll never see me without my water bottle, and an assortment of vegan collagen/greens/matcha powders), reading (my Kindle is full and my bookshelves overflow), writing (working on a memoir and never without my journal/pen), downtime (connecting my three rescue pugs and partner, enjoying a Netflix binge session, teatime with friends). These are my main go-tos!
Yes, in a good way. It's reminded (and forced) me to slow down, savor the simple things, and focus on what I can control. I think the biggest way I've encouraged people to embrace tranquility during this time is very much aligned with the basics mentioned above. Without taking care of mental, physical, and emotional well-being, it's much harder to navigate these challenges. Now that we're coming out of the pandemic, there's a lot of anxiety around how to unlearn what we've adjusted to this past year which has its own set of struggles. By eliminating the non-essential and focusing on what's within our control (it's basically ourselves), we'll get through this together and hopefully be stronger on the other end.
What is your favorite physical practice for relaxation? Can you walk us through a quick overview of the steps?
My go-to is the three-part yogic breath because it can be done anywhere. Inhale through your nose and fill your belly, ribs, and chest with air, exhale and release your chest, ribs, and belly. Getting into the belly can be the hardest as we tend toward a shallow chest breath. To find it, place your hand on your belly and/or ribs to help them expand and contract with your inhale and exhale. This practice is grounding and fills you with a sense of calm. Try it!
Do you have any advice/tips/practices you recommend for people with sensory processing disorders?
As a highly sensitive person who is easily overstimulated, I love this question! Loud sounds, bright lights, scratchy materials, and crowded places can send me (and many others) into a state of overwhelm. If you or a loved one has similar issues, it can be helpful to: create a comfort kit for your office, on-the-go, at home with creature comforts like a soft scarf, lavender oil, earplugs, stress ball, moisturizer, lip balm, weighted blankets; buy only super soft clothing and textiles; create a nourishing routine; provide a space to unwind (sometimes it's the bathroom to escape and regroup); spend time in nature.
Is there anything new you’re working on?
Ah, yes, always! I'm writing a memoir, planning two more virtual retreats this year (July 10 and October 2), crystalizing the TDJ 8-piece capsule wardrobe, and hosting a five-week e-course on the five TDJ Tenets--style, compassion, mindfulness, creativity, and wellness--this fall.
Thanks so much for your time and tips today Kimberly!
Kimberly Wilson’s work has been in The Washington Post, Fast Company, Washingtonian, Huffington Post, USNews & World Report, and more. If you’re interested in learning more about Kimberly click on the links below: