Tag: instructional

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Years teach us patience

Elizabeth Taylor, one of the greatest and most beautiful actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Years once said, “It is very strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.”  As I myself get ready to turn the page on another year, I certainly agree with Liz’s assessment of our capacity for waiting. Especially in Tinseltown, where patience is truly a virtue.  And especially when it comes to seeing results with a new fitness program.  As you grow older, the need to strengthen your body as well as accept the fact that everything worth doing takes time becomes more apparent.  So be patient with your workouts and your fat burning…and enjoy sculpting your shoulders & abs with my 5 minute Workout #28.  And to the lovely and exquisite Ms. Taylor, thanks for the wonderful memories!  Rest in Peace – Rich

 

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21 feet of space

I just read an article in the LA Times about TV and film composer, Glenn Morrissette, who travels the country in his RV after having simplified his world to embrace a mobile lifestyle.  When Glenn composes the score for Fox’s “Family Guy”, he does so from his recording studio on wheels then beams it back to Hollywood.  And when his friends extend invitations for him to park at their homes, he says all he needs is ’21 feet of space’. How cool would that be to reduce all your worldly possessions – and not so worldly obligations – to 21 feet of space?  That can go anywhere (that’s drivable, that is).  I guess you can say Glenn’s on-the-move lifestyle is similar to having a daily fitness program that works anytime, anywhere – without the obligations of a gym or yoga studio membership. Or the significant time commitment.  5 Minutes.  Anytime.  Anywhere.   So let’s all take note of our friend Glenn and his desire to simplify.  And enjoy restoring your legs, core and abs with my 5 minute fat burning workout #27 – R

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Biggest and Brightest

As the sun sets in the west today, it will be the biggest and brightest it’s been in the past 20 years.  According to NASA, this so-called ‘super-moon’ will appear about 14% bigger and 30% brighter.  Why such grandness?  Because the moon’s perigee – that point in the moon’s oval orbital path where it’s closest to the Earth – will occur within one hour of the monthly astronomical phase of the full moon.  “A rarely seen spectacle of illumination and size”, says astronomer Geoff Chester at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. So if you have 5 minutes tonight, go outside and enjoy this rare spectacle. Better yet, take your phone along and try Workout #24 under a beautiful moonlit sky!

 

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Look at the results

Sir Winston Churchill once said, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results”.  I would certainly agree, and when it comes to fitness and body sculpting, it’s always best to look at the results more than occasionally – like every day. Most likely you won’t see any noticeable results on a day-to-day basis, but this more than occasional acknowledgment of your daily workouts will help fuel you to do that little extra.  Like going for a walk or jog after your 5 minute abs, bicep and thigh blasting you’ll get from today’s workout #22.  So keep looking for results, and I’ll see you next time – R

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Remain “unstuck”

Because we hold emotional energy in our hips, it’s always good to incorporate simple hip opening exercises into your daily fitness routine so you can remain unstuck.  Or at least give your hips the chance to open up and let energy flow more smoothly in these areas that are critical to your emotional well being.  And always remember to breathe slowly and deeply, sending the breath to any areas of discomfort.   Try not to wiggle around whenever you feel that discomfort  – do your best to stay focused and relaxed.  Enjoy – R

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Years of preparation

The Japanese have been preparing for years for fear of “the big one”.  Preparations have become part of their culture in a country where minor earthquakes occur daily.  That preparation saved many lives Friday when a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck off Japan’s main island.  A preparation mindset gives all individuals the power in knowing you’re ready for anything – to the best of your ability.   So maintain a preparation mindset and apply it your mental & physical well being in the form of a healthy lifestyle and daily fitness routine.  And radiate your positive thoughts and prayers to all those in need – R

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Happy Birthday Mom

My mother turned 70 today and she looks amazing!  What’s her secret?  Well, about 31 years ago when I joined my first gym she was this 39 year-old mother of three who never worked out.  One year later – at the ripe age of 40 and after much cajoling on my part – she joined a health club and never looked back.  Thirty years later she’s been working out 4-5 times a week – and it shows because she doesn’t look a day over 60.  Kudos to your workouts and your healthy lifestyle Mom!  So for anyone not currently on a daily fitness program, let’s get you started with Workout #15.  And I’ll see you next time – R

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Enjoy the simple things

What if you couldn’t tie your shoelaces or put your daughter’s hair in a braid?  This past weekend a 26 year old woman was given a hand transplant during a successful 14 hour operation at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center – the first such transplant in the state of California.  To be whole again.  And to enjoy the simple things like braiding her daughter’s hair were the young woman’s wishes.  Good news followed the operation – she’s already moving her fingers as the donor’s hand “matched beyond expectation”. Although a hand transplant comes with lifelong risks, lead surgeon Dr. Azari said, “The reasonable expectation is she will get sensation back and she will use her hand.  So far it looks spot on”.  Let’s radiate positive energy for our young woman, and let’s all enjoy the simple things in life.  Including our daily 5 minute fat burning workout.  Here’s #13.  R

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Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck

‘Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck’ is the overarching theme to my film, Boulevard Zen.  Each of the characters uses yoga to overcome adversity in their lives. The kind of adversity that is like getting seriously stuck on a Boulevard, such as death of a spouse, a broken heart, depression, anorexia, hypertension, infertility, peer pressure and a party lifestyle.  All this with a PG-rated script that’s appropriate for the entire family. The chorus from the theme song, “Life’s Boulevard”, is especially inspirational:

Driving down Life’s Boulevard is no paradise
Open up your heart let it lead you day and night
Just do not dwell on things that can’t be undone
Keep pushing forward til the battle is won

Written by me and award winning singer-songwriter Erick Macek, and performed by Erick & Bill Jones, get your free download & watch trailers @ RichTola.com.  Enjoy – R


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One home run doesn’t make a home run hitter

That pretty much says it all for any sport, business or hobby where doing it once or twice doesn’t earn you the title.  Just ask Babe Ruth. But a dozen times, now we’re getting somewhere.  Hopefully you’ve been following along with my 5 minute fat burning workouts – today is day 12. If not, no worries.  You can combine any 2 or 3 workouts and get caught up pretty quick.  But hurry, because the days sneak up on you just like the passage of time.  So get your fitness groove-on today…and enjoy your workout!  R