Tag: film

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Zen Diaries: The Lockdown

It’s 10 years after the premiere of my first film, Boulevard Zen, and here’s our protagonist, the former hot-shot Atlantic City, NJ attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo, dealing with another shooter in his life. This time causing a lockdown in his LA studio. It’s where “self-doubt goes to die”, and it’s also where tempers start to flare among students and strangers as Bobby vows to “protect his family” while trying hard to inspire – and not insult – his guests with his tough love words of wisdom.

Zen Diaries: The Lockdown is a 20-minute dramedy starring Rich Tola, Kayla Moore, Jonny Haug, Romi Valenti, Anita Davenport, Jennifer Cheung and A.P. Moses. Similar to Skateboard Bandits, this film was completed from start-to-finish in less than 90 days with a total budget of $2,000.

Feel free to email us: info@twostrikehitter.com for the Vimeo link and private code. Zen Diaries: The Lockdown will officially premiere on November 1, 2019.

Coming next: All Mixed Up, a sexy R-rated love story about a 25 year-old socialite who’s trapped in an abusive relationship and soon to be married, who yearns for a way out plus one last affair with a man twice her age.

Have an awesome Autumn everyone, and get your workouts in! Peace – R

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“Skate like a bat outta hell”

Hey everyone, we just released Skateboard Bandits on YouTube and Vimeo.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who conspire to take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank. We filmed all 18 scenes in one day, throughout the streets of LA.

Looking forward to releasing my next short narrative, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, coming this November.

Peace – R

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Skateboard Bandits – Coming Soon!

Hey everyone, I just completed my first scripted narrative short, Skateboard Bandits, soon to be released in September.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank.

Super excited to finish another film project on-time and on-budget. It took 90 days and cost $1000 from start to finish. For my next production, I look forward to releasing a “Boulevard Zen” short film spin-off, exactly ten years since the 2009 premiere of my first film.

For more information please contact me at: info@twostrikehitter.com

Have an awesome day and always remember…get your workout in! Peace – R

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Tola Talks with Recording Artist & Entrepreneur, Moses Stone

Another great show with the multi-talented recording artist and entrepreneur, Moses Stone.  We’re talking all things music and movies this week including the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi, plus listening to two original songs from this charismatic rapper.

It’s also the final Tola Talks of 201 7, so we’re highlighting the best of the best including If I Were President and thank you shout-outs to my celebrity guests.  Not to mention some timeless fitness & Tola Yoga tips for 2018, and of course, the Get Your Shit Together Award.

Thanks again everyone, for tuning in these past few months…it’s been a blast!

Stay tuned for the next generation of Tola Talks to be announced on my website www.RichTola.com and my socials:  @richtola

Happy Holidays…and may the force be with you!  Peace – R

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Tola Talks with DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs

We’re talking all things Movies & Music today with my special guests, DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs. Starting with their favorite genre of Hip-Hop, we discuss the history of music from the early 1970’s to today’s wildly popular Electronica (EDM) and the Top 10 DJs that rule the raves.

On a beautiful sunny day in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Tola also Talks about movies that spotlight “The Valley” including We Are Your Friends (Zac Efron) and Elektra Luxx (Carla Gugino), plus what this infamous basin is really know for: strip malls, sushi restaurants in strip malls, and of course, porn stars. We also pay tribute to the King of Hip-Hop, Eminem, and the late Adult Film Actress, August Ames, an unfortunate victim of cyberbullying. Thanks for tuning-in everyone! Peace – R

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Tola Yoga thanks you back!

Over the past 11 years I’ve had the pleasure of teaching some really inspiring students from NYC to LA to Chicago to Seattle – and several places in between – who make it all worth while.

Thanks for the memories everyone, and especially these kind words. Peace – R

“When I walk into Rich’s class feeling emotionally weak, without a doubt, every week, at the end of the hour, I feel stronger and more confident.” – Adriana R.

“Thank you so much for filling our little Seattle yoga class with such wonderful joy & skills. You are AMAZING and I have learned a ton!” – Sallie B.

“Rich is a master at sequencing poses. My body always feels great for hours after class.” – Lauren A.

“It’s very well-structured, plus I get a great full-body workout every time I take Rich’s class. He’s the best!” – Vika L.

“After 10 years, I took my practice to a new level when I started taking Tola Yoga classes.” – Rhonda C.

“Tola Yoga is effective in strengthening and stretching every part of your body, plus it’ll make you sweat!” – Ron W.

“Rich’s classes are transformative.”  – Jeremy S.

“Thank you for your classes and training this past year. I spent six weeks after knee surgery without putting any weight on my left leg, and because of your super long standing sequences, my right leg was strong enough to carry me throughout. For that I am grateful.” – Ananya D.

“We’ll be very sad to see you go… I get RAVE reviews about your class.” – Manager, TRIBE Fitness in Seattle
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Welcome to…Seattle

Iseattlen addition to my fitness mantra, another day – another workout, how’s this for my new travel mantra, another month – another city!

That’s right everyone, if you didn’t catch me in Las Vegas last month, you can now find me in Seattle.

With a plethora of historic landmarks and cultural attractions including the futuristic Space Needle from the 1962 World’s Fair, the Seattle Great Wheel – one of largest ferris wheels in the United States, the 24-day Seattle International Film Festival held every year since 1976, the Bite of Seattle – one of the largest Gay Pride festivals in the US, to the uniquely striking Seattle Public Library featuring 11 stories of glass and steel, the “Emerald City” is quite a city!seattle_central_library_seattle_washington_-_20060418 Not to mention Seattle is also home to business legends Amazon.com, Starbucks and Nordstrom – with Microsoft and Costco a stone’s throw away, five professional sports team including baseball’s Seattle Mariners, and of course, my favorite rock-and-roll band of all time, Pearl Jam. And don’t forget Seattle is considered the home of grunge music, having produced legendary artists such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Mudhoney.

So why not bring my fitness style of Tola Yoga as well as my desire to create entertaining and inspiring content, whether it be a Reality TV series or a Radio show, to one of the most liberal cities in the nation – even surpassing its “weird” neighbor, Portland, Oregon, another cool city.

Have an amazing December everyone…and hope to see you in the Pacific Northwest! Peace – R

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Hotter Than a July BBQ at More Than 60 Locations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/04/16

YogaStyles Braves 108-Degree Heat and Wraps Chicago Pilot

Chicago, IL: Long considered a sacred number in Yoga, 108 should bring good luck to creator and Yogatainer Rich Tola’s new Reality TV series that aims to inspire audiences with his one simple motto: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.

Inspired is exactly how Rich and his crew felt as they endured the heat and filmed the Pilot episode of YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous in more than 60 locations throughout the streets of Chicago.

“We knew it was going to be a scorcher, but we never anticipated it would be hotter than a July BBQ,” shares Tola. “The great news is everyone we interviewed, including the homeless woman (Rebecca) living in a tent on North Broadway, was super friendly and excited to give Yoga a try.”

In addition to the dozen or so “Almost Famous” people Rich interviewed, Tola also demonstrated challenging Yoga poses at many historic landmark and tourist attractions including Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park, Water Tower, the University of Chicago, Navy Pier, Soldier Field and the Chess Pavilion by Oak Street Beach.

“Our last day of filming was the hottest, with heat index temperatures reaching 108 degrees,” Tola said. “And what’s cool about it was that we filmed a 2-hour class at the abandoned Damen Silos with our band of beautiful Yoga babes (The Namaste Five) and not once did anyone complain or even request a break. Talk about hot Yoga, it really felt like we were practicing in an oven.”

Yoga guru and lifelong fitness virtuoso, Rich Tola aims to teach everyone on the planet the fundamentals of the 6,000 year-old practice with his unique, workout style of Tola Yoga. “It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, anybody can benefit from five minutes of Yoga. After watching our show you’ll definitely be inspired to try Yoga, or at the very least, be excited to visit Chicago and enjoy all the amazing attributes this great city has to offer,” proclaims Tola.

Today also marks Rich’s 10-year anniversary teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States. Since 2006, Tola has produced 30 hours of instructional DVDs including his film, Boulevard Zen, and his video encyclopedia of 100 Yoga poses, Rich Tola’s Yoga Survival Guide, including Bus Stop Yoga, Traffic Yoga, Office Yoga, Shower Yoga and Watching the Ellen Show Yoga.

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That’s a Wrap…YogaStyles Pilot Coming Soon!

Get ready for some really cool Yoga filmed at some really cool Chicago landmarks with some really cool – and Almost Famous – people. Here’s a behind the scenes look at our Yoga class with The Namaste Five filmed at the super cool Damen Silos…in 100 degree heat I might add!

Stay tuned for more on YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: Chicago. Peace – R

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New Reality TV Series to Illuminate the World with Yoga

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 | producers@yogastyles.tv