Tag: los angeles

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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: [email protected]

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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Build a Strong Foundation with Tola Yoga

Everybody knows the answer to that infamous question, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall”, right? Of course, it’s “practice, practice, practice”. And if you believe best-selling author and pop psych writer, Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers), you’ll say it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become world-class in any field.

But what happens when the foundation you’ve set for all your practicing is not that sturdy, or better yet, it’s built on quicksand? 

That’s why anyone looking to build a strong yoga practice should learn the proper fundamentals before spending hours upon hours in the yoga studio. Just like I say in Chapter 68 of my memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, it’s always best to Learn from the Best. Or at the very least, learn from someone who has learned from the best.

That’s also why if you’re in Los Angeles you should treat yourself to a Tola Yoga class or private lesson to help you build that strong foundation. There’s something for everyone…from beginner-to-advanced as well as pregnant women…with my five distinct classes:

  1. Tola Yoga Fundamentals  – for beginners or anyone looking to re-learn the basics
  2. Tola Yoga Prime – for intermediate students and strong beginners
  3. Tola Yoga Power – for advanced students and strong intermediates
  4. Tola Yoga Prenatal – for women in all stages of pregnancy
  5. Tola Yoga Stretch & Restore – for all students from beginner-to-advanced

Feel free to email me your questions and to schedule your Tola Yoga private lesson today: [email protected]

Peace – R

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Tola Yoga Pop-Up Class Tomorrow @ MakerCityLA

Calling all eclectic shoppers and yoga enthusiasts…come peruse and purchase some really cool hand-made vintage accessories or get your hair done while mixing in a little Tola Yoga.

I’ll be teaching a donation class on the 11th Floor from 12-1p, so come early and bring your mat. For more information or to register for free, please visit  A Beautiful Pop-Up on Eventbrite.

Peace – R

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Tola Yoga Private Sessions at Half-Price

Do you remember those legendary Crazy Eddie commercials from the mid-80’s…his prices were so low they were INSANE!

Well, just like Crazy Eddie I’ve slashed my private rates in half in order to spread the Tola Yoga love throughout the City of Angels. Now you can advancing your practice while getting an amazing, well-balanced yoga workout with me privately for only $60 per session. Or grab your spouse, lover, best friend or co-workers and let’s rock it out for $90 (two or more students).

And if private sessions are not in your budget through the summer of 2017, then come take my Tola Yoga class at The REEF every Wednesday at 5:15pm and 6:15pm…for only $10. Park in the lot and remember to bring your mat and water and ticket to class so we can validate.

To book your first private session, email: [email protected].  Peace – R

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Tola Yoga every Wednesday @ The REEF

Thanks to Maker City LA, I’m now teaching Tola Yoga classes every Wednesday at The REEF, located at the corner of Broadway & Washington in the Fashion District of DTLA.

First class starts at 5:15pm while the second class starts at 6:15pm.

Great building, wonderful zen space, the best yoga workout in the world (come see for yourself), and above all, another opportunity to stretch, strengthen and detox every part of your body while advancing your yoga practice.

Have an awesome day everyone, and I’ll see you on the mat.

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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Back to the Future…in Los Angeles

Hey everyone, I’m back in LA teaching Tola Yoga classes and hosting live entertainment events like never before. Or shall I say, like before but with a renewed energy and fiery passion that’ll knock your socks off!

Why?

Because after two years of teaching hundreds of classes to nearly ten thousand yoga students in Chicago and Seattle, it’s great to be home. Plus, I’ll be surprising you with pop-up Tola Yoga classes around town, as well as hosting live events like this Saturday, June 10th from 2-4p at the Glendale Central Library. So come enjoy the exciting sounds of the fusion-jazz band, Manjé and The Tips, and you might find yourself laughing your butt off while doing some half-time yoga hosted by yours truly.

In the meantime, check-out this short mix from YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: Chicago. And for more information about Private or Corporate Tola Yoga classes, please email [email protected]. Have an awesome day and don’t forget your daily workout! Peace – R

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Thank you Seattle…until we meet again!

Top of Denny Way in Capitol Hill looking West

Thank you Seattle, for a wonderful six months of teaching yoga to well over 1,000 students in exactly 136 classes. Because as you may already know, I’ll be returning to my beloved Los Angeles (aka Home) where I first began teaching my fitness style of yoga in 2007 before it was even known as Tola Yoga.

And who says you can’t have a blast walking around and exploring Seattle in the rain? Plus, you never really get those torrential downpours like Chicago does, so who needs protection? Seattleites with an umbrella, that’s something you rarely see. I guess that’s why people would always ask, “You’re not from around here, right?” With my black leather jacket and biker boots and carrying a red umbrella, go figure. Or maybe it was just my California tan 🙂

Relaxing in Martin Luther King Jr. Park looking North

And what a great place to stay in shape and to keep moving forward, or I shall I say, upward…on the plethora of hills that traverse the Emerald City.

No doubt your butt works overtime in this town. I should know, I’ve walked more neighborhoods than Oprah has houses (well, maybe not) and loved every minute of it!

But what I’ll miss most – other than my yoga students, especially Charisma, Jodi and Sallie who never missed a class – are the amazing views of downtown Seattle you get just by walking around or lounging in Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, including my three favorites you see here.

40th & Stone Way in Fremont looking South

So thanks Seattle, and until we meet again I wish you the very best. Continue growing and providing your good citizens with more great buildings, parks, restaurants, culture, grunge-free fashion and of course, a Tola Yoga studio in the near future.

Hey, ya neva know!

Peace – R

 

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Movie Theme Song to Boulevard Zen – Music Video

For Flashback Friday I’m taking you back to December 9, 2009 and to the premiere of my Yoga-inspired film, Boulevard Zen. What a magical night that was, with super fond memories beginning with the drive over to The Silent Movie Theater with my very talented co-star and associate producer, Stephanie Drapeau. We sang our butts off to its catchy theme song, Life’s Boulevard, composed and performed by award-winning singer/songwriter, Erick Macek.

Here’s the music video with a panorama of my amazing journey in Hollywood. Enjoy – R

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Think, Prepare and Leap…to Chicago

It’s been two weeks since I moved to Chicago to pursue Stand-up comedy and to teach Yoga in the third most populous city in America (about 2.7 million residents).  And what a city it is, with more than 50 million visitors last year alone, the “Windy City” has breathtaking historical architecture and world class culture including public art, theater and improvisational comedy, not to mention all the jazz, blues and house music. And don’t forget professional sports, which I should know since I’m currently living three blocks away from Wrigley Field…Go Cubbies!

And if you haven’t seen the sunrise over Lake Michigan, you should try it sometime. But wait, what about “I Love LA” and 9 years worth of plying my craft and producing 20+ hours of instructional Yoga videos throughout the streets of Hollywood? It’s all preparation for what comes next, and it’s all part of life’s wonderful journey. If you ask me I’ll always say never be afraid to take a chance on yourself, regardless of how scary it may be – or seem to be – to leave behind what you know best, i.e., your comfort zone.

The good news is Chicago’s not too foreign to me because I did spend two years here during my grad-school days at The Kellogg School at Northwestern University. Albeit, I spent most of my time in the comfy confines of Evanston, but of course I did venture down to bars in Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park and Rush Street for the occasional ruckus with my buddies – which you’ll know if you read my wild and witty memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood.

So never be afraid to LEAP…just make sure your move is well thought-out and even planned, although too much thinking and planning may lead to inaction (not a good thing). And if you make it to Chicago, give me a shout and come take my Yoga class.

Which, by the way, as of today I’m teaching at all 9 locations of Chicago’s premier fitness club, Chicago Athletic Clubs. In honor of National Yoga Month, I’ll be teaching a special class on Sunday, September 27th at the Lincoln Square location. Hope to see you there! Peace – R