Author | Filmmaker and Host, Tola Talks
Today marks my 12th year anniversary teaching yoga. For that I am blessed.
In honor of all my amazing students and teachers who continue to inspire me each and every class – more than 2,500 of them – here’s a short Tola Yoga sequence you can do anytime, anywhere.
Thanks for tuning in everyone, and get your workout in. Peace – R
Just a couple of East coast dudes talking travel, surfing, fitness, yoga and real estate, as Tola Talks with his good friend and Surfer/Yogi, Mike Tammaro.
We’re talking everything from surfing the treacherous waves at Black’s Beach to the perfect waters of Costa Rica, to selling multi-million dollar homes in The Hamptons.
Also get the scoop on some great movies that brave the shining seas including Justice League, The Wackness, Point Break, Blue Crush, Soul Surfer and the 1974 great white blockbuster, Jaws.
Millennials take heed from your brethren and don’t be afraid of life’s choppy waters. Because you never know, you just might marry a Prince!
Have an awesome day everyone, and check-out my 3 simple eating tips for losing those 5 lbs by New Year’s Day (at 18:20 mins). Peace – R
What is Yoga?
You know how many times I’ve been asked this question in the past 12 years, from men, women and children (and mostly men). Because knowing the definition of Yoga is much different than understanding this physical and mental art form, including the similarities and differences between the many styles of Yoga, e.g., Vinyasa Flow, Kundalini, Asthanga. Not to mention how each style uniquely impacts your body and your mind. Which is all good, no doubt, regardless of style. And don’t forget your spirit, although that aspect is much less tangible in all Yoga.
So what can a Yoga master with a passion for fitness spanning more than five decades, beginning with Jack LaLanne in the 1960’s, do to demystify that age-old question?
That’s simple: create another style that specifically caters to the fitness-minded individual.
One year ago I introduced Tola Yoga to the world with live classes on Periscope and YouTube: http://youtube.com/RichTolaYoga.
Although my Tola Yoga brand was born in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, it’s conception occurred 11 years earlier on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. That’s right, I taught my first “Stars of the Future” class on August 4, 2006 at New York Yoga. And what a rush it was! Kudos and thank you so much to all the amazing Yoga teachers who influenced and inspired me throughout my 200 hours of training…Jenny, Nixa, Michael, Karl, Rita, Lori, Molly, Sam, Kristen and Emily.
Because success is best served with a strong foundation. As well as passion and perseverance. And if you’re lucky, your life’s colorful journey will be long, prosperous and rather trying at times. But if you live what you love, happiness will follow you everywhere.
No doubt. And how’s this for serendipity: the other day I was in the drug store and came across this writing pad with that exact phrase, LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE. In colors just like that. So I had to buy it. And repeat it…to you today and to myself everyday, along with a few other mantras.
Keep rockin-it everyone, in whatever you do, and don’t forget your daily workout! Peace – R
I’m very fortunate and grateful for having reached my 10th anniversary teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States. To celebrate, the lovely Lauren Accardi joined me for another challenging Tola Yoga class filmed at the super cool Damen Silos, also the site Michael Bay’s Transformer’s 4 and The Namaste Five class from YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: Chicago.
Love this one! Peace – R
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06/01/16
YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous
Chicago, IL: Yoga expert and former Wall Street executive, Rich Tola, aims to bring his unique workout style of Tola Yoga to the world with his new Reality TV series, YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous. After 10 years of teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students from the ages 3-to-93 in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States, Tola’s mission is to inspire audiences everywhere with his one simple mantra: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.
“YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous will take you on a wild and witty ride throughout the streets of Chicago before traveling to capitol cities around the globe”, says Tola. “Our mission is to creatively demonstrate the ability for everyone on the planet to reap the benefits of the 6,000 year-old mind-body-spirit practice of Yoga, as well as highlight National Landmarks and popular destinations of each metropolis while teaching Yoga to its “Almost Famous” business leaders and owners, designers, politicians, musicians and athletes”. Plus, anyone else Tola happens to meet along the way.
And who else better to inspire anyone who has ever asked, “What is Yoga and can I do it?”, than someone whose life was transformed by the powers of Yoga.
Since becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2006, Tola has produced more than 20 hours of instructional Fitness & Yoga videos including his three DVDs; Yoga-to-Go, Rich Tola’s Yoga Survival Guide and Rich Tola’s 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, plus his two Web Series; Stay Zen with Rich Tola and Rich Tola’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts.
Upon completion of his Yoga-inspired film, Boulevard Zen (2009), Tola founded a charity to teach the benefits of Yoga to women and children survivors of domestic violence, The Boulevard Zen Foundation. Tola’s passion for Yoga is complimented by his lifelong passion for fitness…more than 50 years to be exact, combining his 40 years of weight training in gyms and health clubs around the world with his 11 years of practicing Yoga.
Tola received his MBA from The Kellogg School at Northwestern University, and looks forward to “showcasing the truly unique landmarks and neighborhoods the Windy City has to offer”.
Inquiries: Angie Lee Chastain | [email protected]
Another day, another workout has been my motto for the past 40 years. Now how about a new one for the next 40 years…Another week, another Tola Yoga class!
That said, here’s another challenging 45 min Yoga class from yesterday LIVE on Periscope with my lovely student Stephanie Loo. Have an awesome week everyone, and see you next time!
Catch me doing stand-up comedy this weekend in Danny’s Skybox Theatre at The Second City in Chicago. Great line-up with a couple of super fun hosts! Hope to see you there – R
Next week on Tola Talks Recording Artist/Producer Moses Stone & Dancer/Yogini Jen Wcyckal
Tola Talks with two incredible Yoga babes, Linda Baffa and Jessica Harper. On Wellness Wednesdays, Rich also discusses his definition of The Art of Yoga. Weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.
Not in Father Time’s eyes.
And not in mine. Because whatever goals you set for yourself – such as getting leaner for the beach this summer or finding a more rewarding job – Keep the Drive Alive. That’s right, stay motivated every single day to move the ball up the field with your thoughts and actions.
Like getting your workout in on Sundays, or researching the internet and then canvassing your neighborhood for new opportunities. They’re all cumulative. And get you closer to your goals.
So no worries or self-sabotage about what you didn’t do this past week…just do it today!
Enjoy – R
My audiobook, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, now on iTunes
Every Memorial Day I remember my Uncle Mickey, aka, Dr. Cook. Uncle Mickey served as a cook in the Army in WWII, thus the nickname, and he was exactly 55 years older than me as we shared the same birthday. In my 20’s I got to know Uncle Mickey and respected his view of himself and the world. Because he respected everyone and everything. He was this charming bachelor who would tell folks he never married because he had to take care of his mother, he had a daily fitness routine he’d do in the spare room, and he wore a suit & tie every single day. That’s right, every single day until he entered the nursing home when he was 90. He was the ultimate citizen who respected what it meant to be an American. Someone to admire for truly loving life. And what I remember most about Uncle Mickey was our walks at the nursing home when his mind and body would barely cooperate. He always kept his dignity and his positive attitude, and never felt sorry for himself. So for everyone remembering loved ones today, enjoy! And enjoy sculpting your thighs again with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #96 – Killer Squats II. – R
Happy Memorial Day Everyone!