Finish Strong + Savor Small Victories

Two more weeks until we wrap up this rate-hike laden, crypto market crashing, war torn Year of the Tiger, so it’s time we buckle in and finish strong everyone. That is to say, stay healthy and positive and focused in the final inning of 2022, and most importantly, stay committed to your fitness.

Another day, another workout is my motto. Because keeping your Temple, i.e., your physical body that’s harmonious with your mind and spirit, is paramount to keeping you primed to finish strong in everything you do.

And not to be forgotten are all those small victories you’ve achieved throughout the year, whatever the successes or positive outcomes earned – or perceived negative outcomes that will prove to be rewarding nonetheless. Be sure to acknowledge them and savor them and celebrate them for what they are: small victories in the war of life.

Happy Holidays everyone, may peace be with you.

PS – Click HERE to buy the best motivational stocking stuffer on the Planet – at least I think so – and get your workout in! Peace – R

Top 7 Dumbbell Exercises – Ep 17 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re talking about the best exercises anyone can do from head-to-toe using only dumbbells. And since the news is rather depressing this Wednesday when it comes to current events including President Biden’s approval rating and paltry school lunches, not to mention murder rates we haven’t seen since the 1990’s and homelessness and inflation on the rise, let’s focus on an easy and affordable daily fitness program that positively affects your 7 body parts: abs, shoulders, back, chest, triceps, biceps and legs. Plus three more steps to everlasting youth from my book, as well as some encouraging price moves from our beloved – and sometimes unbeloved – cryptocurrencies on Robinhood. Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in!

Cancel Culture Reboot – Ep 16 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re talking about the cancel culture (aka the call-out culture) as a modern form of ostracism and why it should be rebooted, or more specifically, treated individually on a case-by-case basis. And kudos to the new employment website, redballoon.work, for their efforts to value freedom of expression and go beyond the cancel culture where employees are free to work without fear of being on the wrong side of their employer’s politics. No doubt Americans are in need of a higher functioning democracy with less censorship and less judgement upon others for their personal choices, not to mention the need for everyone to embrace Love the Five Y’s – Step 22 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth. Plus get ready for a long Crypto Winter – or not if you ask me – although there are plenty of reasons why Bitcoin is poised for a precipitous decline.

Homage to MLK – Ep 15 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s a national holiday in the United States and time to honor a great man who stood for never ending equality and justice for all. MLK was also the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and a civil rights leader who inspired a nation with his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of 250,000 people gathered around the Lincoln Memorial during their peaceful march upon our nation’s capitol. We’re also talking about the Wolf Moon, a full moon that illuminates to its fullest tonight at 6:48p EST. Plus more fitness tips and inspiration as well as three more steps to everlasting youth from my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth. Have an awesome holiday everyone…and get your workout in!

Goodbye California…Hello Texas

When I told my buddy I wasn’t vaccinated and was never getting the jab, he said, “Then it’s either Texas or Florida if you want to lead a normal life.”

Normal life, as in freely or being allowed by law, including going to the gym, nail salon, movie theatre, shopping mall or any bar or restaurant in the city. Talk about a quintessential What-The-Fcuk. I mean, one of our nation’s greatest Presidents and spokesperson for democracy, Thomas Jefferson, would roll over in his grave with such “tyranny over the mind of man” exhibited by today’s government officials.

Because in my book the COVID mandates of Los Angeles are not only ridiculous and unjust, they’re also a form of tyranny or “arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power”, as defined by the dictionary. Most importantly, these mandates prevent me from living a so-called normal life, which includes working out every single day plus walking 10+ miles a day since COVID began. Not to mention I’m at my ideal weight with less than 10% body fat, a blood pressure of 110 over 60, plus a great bill of health from my doctor. Oh yeah, I’ll be 59 in March and I’ve never taken a daily pill in my entire life – medicine or supplement. And don’t forget I wrote the book on How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth. So why do I need to inject myself with something that isn’t necessary? Forgettaboutit.

So there you have it California, you leave me no choice but to leave you after 15 glorious years. Albeit, it’s more like you kicked me out after 15 hard-working and dream chasing years.

Here I come Texas, with my new horsepower and anything is possible attitude. And no worries to anyone who thinks like I do and remains committed to living a fearless and vaccine-free life, all the while treating your most valuable asset, aka your Temple, with the utmost respect.

Happy Veterans Day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

PS – new live stream podcast Coming Soon

Tola Yoga at the InterContinental + Rooftop

No doubt you gotta always be looking up…at the bright side of life as well as to your dreams and aspirations. No matter what age, that energy drives you.

Not to mention you could be looking up from the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Hotel located in the Wilshire Grand Center, the 1,100 foot skyscraper and 11th tallest building in the United States, at 7th & Figueroa in DTLA. A beautiful building with an incredible view from our yoga class (pictures soon). Starting this Thursday, June 6th at 6a, you can catch me teaching the Rooftop Yoga class for Attitude Fitness. Come start your day with a great sunrise workout performed at some really inspiring heights!

I’m also teaching Tola Yoga at Attitude every Saturday at 10a, Tuesday at 6:15p and Thursday at 5:15p. Safe to say I love this club, by far the nicest in LA for sure. Find us on Class Pass or stop by for a test drive. Hey, ya neva know, you just might join.

Have an awesome week everyone, and hope to see you on the mat! Peace – R

Greetings from Dallas!

Like a moth to a flame, I’ve been drawn to Dallas.

I’m not sure if it’s the richness of early American history dating back to its original settlement as a good trading post in 1839, or the plethora of diverse and interesting neighborhoods like Uptown, Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts District, Downtown, Lower Greenville or the M Streets (where I landed). Or perhaps it’s that cosmopolitan feel along with that “smell the roses” Texan mindset.

Regardless of whatever “it” is, Dallas certainly has me thinking I’ll be here for the rest of the summer. Not that America’s #1 city to live, aka Austin, wasn’t a cool place to explore for a couple of months, not to mention the wonderful staff and yoga students  at Castle Hill Fitness who loved Tola Yoga ..thanks everyone, especially Reesa, Autumn, Amy and Kat!

There’s just something about the Big D that reminds me of my Philadelphia roots and tickles my fancy in less than a week.

Have an awesome day everyone, and get your workout in!  Peace – R

Greetings from Austin!

Another day, another workout…in another great American city:

Austin, Texas

How fortunate I am to experience and explore the #1 place to live in the United States for the past two years (U.S. News & World Report), the “City of the Violet Crown” with its unofficial slogan “Keep Austin Weird”, the state capital of Texas as well as the southernmost state capital in the contiguous 48 states, the “Live Music Capital of the World” and of course, home to the music, film and interactive festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), not to mention the Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) held every year in Zilker Park.

Austin also marks the 7th major U.S. city in as many years where I’ll be teaching my fitness style of Tola Yoga through the end of July. Because no doubt life is all about the journey while relentlessly pursuing your passion, regardless of where it takes you.

Have an amazing Father’s Day everyone, and get your workout in!

Peace – R