Serenity to Go: Calming Techniques for Your Hectic Life

For me, personally, I have found two quirks that really cause me stress. One, is the wonderful world of communication technology and those irking telephone systems whereby you need to press one for this, press two for that, and if you are able to find the right person you are looking for, you end up with their voice mail. As for a human voice on the other end, that only happens if fate happens to be on your side that day, which it usually isn't. My second peeve, is waitng in line at the express lane check-out that clearly says ten items or less and there are three people ahead of you with at least thirty items each! This is called stress, but only if you respond to it."Serenity to Go" is filled with relaxing techniques that one can use while standing in line in the express lane even when it seems like you are standing amid the slow route to China. I find deep-breathing exercises and meditation extremely beneficial. Others I know, play mind games to pass the time, i.e, think of a breed of dog, capital city, sport, etc, that begins with each letter of the alphabet. My 89 pound Russian grandmother, at 102, had a very unique stress reliever. She always kept a pair of heavy men's workboots by the basement door. If something stressed her, she would put on the boots, go down to the basement, kick the heck out of the coal furnace, then calmly walk back up the basement stairs and sit graciously and quietly at the kitchen table without a care in the world! However, she was without the benefit of this terrific book, nor could she have read the English version. Regardless of what method relieves your stress and inner-tensions, readers will find the techniques suggested in this book, do help reduce the level of stress and tension - most of the time!

The ideas in this book are so practical, and the suggestions so easy to put into real practice, it's hard to understand how we got along without it for so long. Hamilton manages to use a friendly, conversational tone without ever condescending, and she interjects many clever and original witticisms without being cute. As a teacher myself, I'm impressed--even a little jealous--at the way she so convincingly communicates original and unusual lessons. Highly recommended.

I usually avoid self help books, but this little volume found its way into my heart. It's witty, unpretentious, and best of all, useful. I regularly drive in a city where one mini-second of hesitation means a barage of curses and horns, and since reading this book I've actually managed to drive from Brooklyn to the UpperWest Side and get out of the car feeling more relaxed in body and mind than when I got in. Even more importantly, this book has pushed me to think about my priorities. Is it better to get somewhere a few minutes late and relaxed or right on time with your heart racing? I'm not quite sure, but Hamilton's really got this sceptic thinking and questioning. Since most self-help books seem to preach to the converted, this is quite a feat. I await Hamilton's next - my only problem with this one is it wasn't long enough.

Mina Hamilton is a yoga teacher, and she's also a fine writer. Serenity To Go, her first book, is a friendly, accessible, witty guide to coping with life in the fast-lane -- or any lane, for that matter. What I liked best was the way the book helped me find time for myself where I thought there was none, squeezing in room for ME along with the work, travel, e-mail, phones, faxes and focus on "others." Any working person -- especially working Moms like me -- will benefit greatly from this book. And it's a great read!