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
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
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
Tip of the Iceberg
For anyone just getting started with a daily fitness or weight loss program, consider my 5 minute fat burning workouts as the tip of the iceberg. Designed to be simple, quick and effective, each workout is like the spark that ignites a more complete fitness regimen that includes anything cardiovascular, weight lifting or yoga. Better yet, combine several 5 minute workouts and create your own customized program that fits your busy schedule and targets your body parts that require the most fat burning. And always remember to include at least one workout to strengthen your core & abs! Enjoy – R
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
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
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
Fitness in a bottle
When asked about fitness, the Goddess of Pop Cher once said, “If it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body”. No doubt. Except the universe – or anyone else for that matter – has yet to provide us with fitness in a bottle. So, the next best thing is to do something fitness–related everyday. Even for just 5 minutes. Because once you’re set with a daily fitness program, your body will crave it and your mind will become conditioned to do it, thus, it becomes easy. Well, maybe not easy, but for sure it becomes easier to workout every day since you’ve now created a new and rewarding routine. But don’t take my word for it – try it out for yourself. And I’ll see you next time – R
Butt Beautiful
From the Wikipedia website we learn that one’s butt is eloquently described as follows: “The buttocks (singular: buttock) are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles.” The key phrase here being a layer of fat superimposed over muscle. And who doesn’t want to reduce that layer of fat while building muscle, right? Let’s give it a try with Workout #9 from my 5 minute fat burning web series aptly named, Butt Beautiful. And when you’re done, consider climbing stairs for another 15 minutes or go for that 1 mile walk. You’ll be happy you did! Enjoy your workout – R
Get Killer Abs
From the streets of New York City you may have heard the age old question, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall”? The answer: practice, practice, practice. The same holds true for your core and abdominal muscles. How do you get killer abs? Practice, practice and more practice. At the very least you’ll feel good about doing something every day to stay trim, keep your waistline from expanding, and preventing your posture and low back from suffering. Plus, the good news about strengthening your core & abs is that a short and simple workout is all it takes to feel fatigued. So here you go – Workout #8 in my 5 minute fat burning video series that also complements workouts 5, 6, and 7. That’s 20 minutes of core & abs exercises to chose from. Have fun and don’t forget to breathe! R