Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am 56 years old, have just celebrated 26 years of marriage, and have two grown up sons.  I live in Cardiff with my husband.  I have been a Buddhist for over 30 years and have been a teacher for all my professional life.  I teach Buddhism, Tibetan yoga, meditation and relaxation.  I also practice pulse diagnosis and reflexology.  I was brought up in the West Midlands of England but moved to Wales at the beginning of the 1980s after completing a design degree. 

Describe your book ‘Relaxing into Meditation’ in 30 words or less. 

It describes practices of relaxation, breathing and meditation.  Learn to relax the body and calm breathing.  Then take that quietness into meditation and discover relaxation of mind.  

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Deciding on the final layout - it went through a number of forms before its final manifestation as short chapters, each describing an aspect of practice. 

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

The books by my Buddhist teacher, written under the name 'Ngakpa Chögyam', such as 'Roaring Silence', 'Spectrum of Ecstasy', 'Wearing the Body of Visions', and the books of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, such as 'Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior', 'Transcending Madness', 'Journey Without Goal', 'The Lion's Roar'. 

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

I teach Relaxing into Meditation workshops.  I have a blog: http://ngakma-nordzin.blogspot.com.  I write articles for newspapers and magazines.  I have had the book reviewed on blogs, in magazines, etc. 

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

I am currently quite busy attending events in my role as Chairperson for the Buddhist Council of Wales (http://www.buddhistcouncilofwales.org.uk/).  I also teach at the Aro Ling Buddhist Centre in Bristol (http://aro-ling.org/) and answer correspondence from our students. 

What are you working on next?

I am doing the research for a new book on Vajrayana Buddhism.