Author | Filmmaker and Host, Tola Talks
Who doesn’t want to burn fat and sculpt and beautify their thighs? It’s a human thing, right, but workout #2 of my 5 minute fat burning series uses that powerful Warrior stance named after the Hindu folklore’s warrior Virabhadra. In yoga terms, the Sanscrit for warrior is Virabhadrasana. So get your warrior on and come sculpt those thighs!
Today marks the start of a new fat burning campaign – only 5 minutes a day with me leading you through different exercises that’ll kick-start your fat burning initiatives. Workout #1 focuses on your thighs. Check us out on YouTube! Enjoy – R
Imagine peeling off a Post-It note and sticking it on your wardrobe mirror so you can watch the morning news while you’re getting dressed. Or better yet, post it anywhere – at any time – and join me for 5 minutes of yoga or a 15 minute fat burning workout. Because soon the U.S. Army will be field testing a so-called “Dick Tracy wristwatch” with a flexible plastic screen that won’t shatter or crack like glass. That one day soon may result in moving images that are not limited to your PDA, television or computer screen. Imagine that. A wireless flexible display that can receive and transmit data anywhere. And we thought space travel was impossible. Simply put, anything’s possible. Or at least anything you set your mind to. Because why not change your belief that something isn’t possible and go for it. At the very least, if you truly believe and manifest that something is possible, and set your sights beyond your previously perceived realm of possibility, then your new belief might just happen. Like embracing a daily fitness program. Because who doesn’t have 1% of their life to respect themselves?
For the past week I’ve had the fortunate, albeit stressful task of moving my home and office. I say fortunate because whether you see the cup half full or half empty, change is good. As humans, we suffer from what behaviorists call homeostasis. Simply put, we don’t like change because our internal tendency is to maintain a stable and constant condition. So if you’ve ever moved you know how challenging it is to pack up your life, ship it another neighborhood (in my case 12 miles away which in Los Angeles is like another state), unpack and reorder everything in your new home or office, become familiar with all the retail and convenience stores, gas stations, dry cleaners, gyms and yoga studios, and most importantly, changing your address for your multitude of accounts like banks, credit cards, postal service, magazines, drivers license, health care providers, and professional organizations. Not to mention all your family and friends. So much for homeostasis. That said, moving gives you an excellent opportunity to explore new markets and expand your world. To meet new people, to experience new beginnings. Change is good. Especially when it comes to improving yourself and your life. Like embracing a daily fitness program. However stressful and challenging you may think it is to get started, it’s well worth the effort. So if you haven’t made the change, one that truly improves your overall well being, get a move on it. And enjoy your workout!
This morning I read an enlightening article about the growing concern of California residents that believe childhood obesity is not only a serious problem, but one that nearly 60% of those polled statewide believe has become an epidemic. I would have to agree. Not only is childhood obesity a serious problem – the inability of parents to be excellent roll models is one that I consider even more alarming. I should know. One of the key reasons I created my 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts is due in part to my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation. As you know, we teach yoga to children and their moms living in domestic violence shelters. Every time I’ve entered a new shelter to introduce our program to everyone the first question I’m asked by the moms is will yoga help them lose weight. An interesting question for those of us who are dedicated to this 6,000 year old practice. Because most of us didn’t start practicing yoga to lose weight. We did so for its overall mental, physical and spiritual benefits. Thus, I created a complete set of full body, yoga-based exercises that are brief in nature – only 15 minutes per workout- are easy to follow, affordable, attainable and available for ANYONE of any age, size, weight or gender. Including children. Just ask my niece who’s 11 years old. And if you don’t believe me – try it out yourself. And if you can’t afford the $1.99 per workout, write me a letter with your sincere interest and I’ll forward you Monday’s workout. Because who doesn’t have 15 minutes a day to respect themselves?
Today starts the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit. If you were born in the year 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, or 1999, then it’s your year. I was born in 1963, so it’s also my year. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are considered to be articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. It is also believed that Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business, are known for being conscientious, and never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, Rabbit people seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. So for all you fellow Rabbits out there…Happy New Year! R
I woke up today with pain in my low back, specifically on my right side. It wasn’t there yesterday so perhaps it occurred during the night, or maybe negative energy or tension came to reside there as a result of stress or something I did yesterday. No matter the cause, I went to the gym this morning and wasn’t able to work it out with my usual stretching so I decided to focus on it with 15 minutes of yoga and meditation when I got home. First I laid on my back and quieted my mind with the meditative breathing technique called Ujjayi Pranayama. In yoga terms (or Sanskrit) it means upwardly victorious or skull shining breath which is a three part yogic breath moving from the low belly into the upper chest and throat. Inhalation and exhalation are done through the nose – with your mouth closed – and the resulting sound is much like the sound of the ocean. Next I hugged my knees into my chest while rounding then elongating my spine which is call Apanasana. All the while I kept with my meditation and Ujjayi breath while sending thoughts of relief specifically to the point of low back pain. Next I slowly rocked back and forth and side to side massaging my low back into the ground. Next I reached for the sides of my feet moving into Happy Baby pose. I also teach this pose in Zoo Yoga from my Yoga Survival Guide as well as Apanasana in Comfort Yoga and Ujjayi Pranayama in the very first lesson, Mountain Pose. Next I straightened my legs best I could while holding onto my big toes – much like Paschimottanasana on your back (also taught in Park Yoga). Next I spread my legs wide into a big V, all the while keeping my spine elongated best I could. Finally I hugged my knees into my chest for another Apanasana, then slowly moved into my final resting pose, Savasana. Viola! No more pain. Although everyone’s body is different with varying degrees of pain, give this sequence a try the next time your low back is bothering you. It just might do the trick. R
You may already know that my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, teaches yoga to kids and moms living in domestic violence shelters (www.BoulevardZen.com). I was inspired to start the nonprofit after visiting a shelter upon completion of my film, Boulevard Zen. My experience with domestic violence comes via the domino affect abuse has on families as my father was a victim of child abuse until the age of 12 when his father left for good. I have also befriended women in my lifetime that have experienced some of the most heinous crimes imaginable. Domestic violence and child abuse unjustly robs its victims of self-confidence and oftentimes prevents kids from experiencing what we at the foundation call excellent teaching moments. So when our yoga teachers find a unique opportunity during class to go beyond an actual yoga pose and teach meaningful life lessons, we all succeed. And the kids remember those lessons and bring that knowledge into their lives while impacting the lives of everyone around them. Which is why I get excited every time one of our teachers writes to me about an excellent teaching moment. Like today from Carolyn in our San Diego shelter. It’s what we strive for and are committed to doing: to be more than just yoga teachers and to impact lives forever. Because those lives are the future of our Nation and of our World. Namaste – R
Yesterday I spoke with an old college buddy and former baseball player like me at the University of Pennsylvania. He recently started the 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts and simply stated he really liked them because “It gets in your head”. What does that mean you might ask? Well it means that each 15 minute workout not only incorporates detailed instruction on how to maximize the efficiency of the exercises you are doing, but also has a short intro and outro that reinforces the concept that fat burning doesn’t end on the mat. Quite frankly, it gets in your head. It’s something you take out into the world as you consciously – and subconsciously – make good choices about the foods you eat, the liquids you drink, the movements you make, and the thoughts you chose to fill your mind with throughout your daily life. Just like the great Jack LaLanne believed it’s all about self-control, there’s no question that once you ingrain the concept of healthy choices into your subconscious you’ll be well on your way to burning fat every single day. As long as you accompany those healthy choices with some sort of physical fitness – everyday – you will see results. Enjoy your workout – R
My first memories of this pioneer and King of daily exercise and good nutrition were in my Aunt Tina & Concetta’s living room. My “right off the boat” Sicilian aunts were fascinated by this exuberant dynamo who preached the gospel of health and fitness. Thus, I became fascinated with an American icon who would impact my life for the next 40 years. Thank you Jack LaLanne. For being ‘born again’ after meeting Paul Bragg when you were 15; for starting a rudimentary gym for police officers and firefighters when everyone thought you were a crackpot; for opening the first real gym in 1936 – LaLanne’s Physical Culture Studio in downtown Oakland, CA; for starting the first morning TV show dedicated to health and fitness that encouraged kids to wake-up their moms for their morning workout; for your multitude of daring feats to get people to believe in you – like towing 76 kids across the Long Beach Harbor while being handcuffed and shackled; for inciting a national craze of weight rooms, exercise classes and fancy health clubs; for always accepting people for who they were – like your 300 pound best friend who was a chain-smoker and a boozer; for all the exercise machines and health related products you created; and most importantly, for inspiring me to embrace a daily fitness routine since that fateful day I felt your unparalleled fervor. You’re a true and inspirational legend the world will never forget. Rest in Peace – R