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Ready, set, go for your Tola Yoga private lessons

In honor of National Yoga Month, I have decided to extend my half-price Tola Yoga private lessons through September 30th.

That means anyone from beginner-to-advanced students can transform their practice with some private instruction from yours truly for only $60 per lesson. And only $90 for all corporate or group lessons.

And if you never tried yoga and have questions regarding your ability to practice or just want some insight on how to begin the process, email me and we’ll get you ready: info@richtola.com

Remember, the journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step.

And no worries if you’re not flexible, because yoga makes you flexible. No doubt. When I took my first class more than a dozen years ago I couldn’t even touch my toes. Within a few months I was touching the ground with my fingertips…and now I can touch both palms to the ground.

Amazing what a little yoga can do for you, not to mention the workout you get with Tola Yoga.

Peace – R

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Demystifying the Art with TOLA YOGA

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

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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.