Add 'Om' to the Office: Kimbery Wilson, "Tranquilista"

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THERE ARE EIGHT arms of yoga, and Kimberly Wilson seems to have them all. How else would she be able to juggle running three studios (Tranquil Space in D.C., Arlington and Bethesda), designing an "eco-luxe" clothing line (TranquiliT) and operating a non-profit outreach program for teens (Tranquil Space Foundation)? She reveals her entrepreneurial secrets for doing it all in her new book — her second — "Tranquilista" ($14.95 for a signed copy).

Although there's plenty in the pink tome on branding and networking, "entrepreneur" has a broader meaning to Wilson. "I wanted to reframe the word to be about building something that makes a difference. It could be starting a blog about going green. Maybe it's profitable, but maybe it's not," she says. The goal is to have a richer life rather than a richer bank account, and even if you're not a dedicated yogini like Wilson, she says learning about the Indian practice can help you along the way.

Through everything she's done, Wilson has infused yoga. "It's helped keep me sane," she says. And although the poses and breathing are beneficial, it's more than the movement. The principles of living mindfully have kept her focused on the environment she's created for her employees and customers. "As a leader of an organization, one thing that's key to me is I always want to make sure my team feels heard," she adds.

That team includes the leader, who needs to know what she wants, too. To assist the self-reflection process, Wilson recommends "vision boards," a kind of collage dedicated to your future. "Pull images that appeal to you. I have blue robin eggs, flowers, quotes — it's a way for me to be inspired," Wilson says.

In her view, the bigger picture should always include ways to give back, so she devotes a section of the book to "Divine Do-Gooding." "It's not necessarily money," she reminds. Volunteering your time and expertise can be just as rewarding. One of Wilson's favorite annual traditions is Doga, an outdoor yoga class that welcomes humans and canines, and raises funds for the Washington Humane Society.

And just as every yoga practice ends with savasana, every day also needs dedicated relaxation time. As a blossoming business owner, Wilson often neglected self-care. "When I started, I would work 17-hour days," she says. Now, Wilson schedules monthly massages, meditates regularly and spends a day every once in awhile never getting out of her pajamas for a ritual called "bed days."

There isn't much time for those, but as part of her daily routine, she always tries to make her first stop her yoga mat instead of her computer. "It sets the tone for what the day will be like so we can make a difference to others," she says.

Photo courtesy Richard Robinson/The Washington Post