Tola Talks with Actress/Producer, Stephanie Drapeau

Kudos to re-launch of Tola Talks…we had a titillating show yesterday talking Hollywood film and TV roles with the lovely and talented, Stephanie Drapeau.

Plus, before I introduce Stephanie at 27:41 minutes, I kick-off the show with some Presidential advice on how to solve homelessness and get every United States resident off the streets. I also give out the Get Your Shit Together Award to none other than The Trump Administration.

We also observe a moment of silence for the victims and families of those who perished or were injured in Las Vegas in the worst mass shooting in our nation’s history, as well as for the way-too-early passing of one the great rock-and-roll legends of all time, Tom Petty.

Thanks for listening, and have an awesome day! Peace – R

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

A Taste of Chicago

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here’s a compilation of me introducing Chicago’s major tourist attractions including Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, the Mag Mile and the beaches of Lake Michigan. It’s where history meets trivia, meets fitness & Yoga and more.

We filmed YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: Chicago during the sweltering summer of 2016, and had a blast the last day of filming at the Damen Silos & Ohio Street Beach…when temperatures reached 108 degrees.

Thanks for watching and have a wonderful holiday! Peace – R

Whatever You Do, Finish Strong…Like Usain Bolt

Nine-time Olympic Gold medalist and the world’s fastest man (for the past 10 years), Usain Bolt, confidently concedes that “there are faster starters than me but I’m a strong finisher”.YogaStylesVoiceOver

Because no matter when you begin your new venture or how quickly you come out of the starting blocks, the most important part of the race is the finish line. So finish strong!

Just like we’re doing with YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous: CHICAGO. Yesterday we recorded the voice-over and we’re now thundering towards the finish line.

Have an awesome day everyone! Peace – R

500th Yoga Class in the First 50 Weeks: Chicago

Rich Tola - One Armed PinchamayurasanaI’m heels over head for teaching my 500th Yoga class since arriving in Chicago last September.

I’m grateful to my courageous students, fellow teachers and managers, and the owners of Chicago Athletic Clubs for giving me the opportunity to spread my passion for fitness & yoga, and specifically my style of Tola Yoga.

Looking forward to inspiring the world with YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous.

Peace – R

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.

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

Looking Good and Feeling Serendipitous Wearing prAna

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/13/16

YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous Sports prAna Attire

Chicago, IL: As the cast and crew of the new Reality TV series, YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous, gets ready to film their Pilot episode throughout the streets of Chicago, the show’s creator and world’s greatest Yogatainer, Rich Tola, exemplifies that good fortune can also be derived from the clothes you wear.

For Rich and his band of rockstar yoginis who plan to inspire audiences with his one simple mantra: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere, that means doing so while wearing versatile, stylish, vibrant and sustainable clothing designed and manufactured by prAna.

“We’re super excited to be wearing prAna in our Chicago premiere,” says Tola. “And it’s quite serendipitous to say the least, because in 2005 when I purchased my very first Yoga apparel it was prAna. That’s right, a pair of recycled wool capris for men and an organic cotton shirt displaying these two very simple, yet very powerful words…Be Present.”

Rich and his band of beautiful “Yoga babes” appropriately called The Namaste Five, will stylishly demonstrate challenging Yoga poses and sequences with Rich leading the charge. While most of his teaching will be done to unsuspecting residents and tourists nearby historic landmarks and major attractions, Rich and his prAna-clad yoginis will take you to a new level, “We’ll show you how to make the hard stuff look easy and look good at the same time,” Tola said.

Yoga expert 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, and I will prove that. Fire up your body and fire up your day with a simple Warrior II or Triangle pose, plus it’ll help reinforce a clear and positive mindset,” declares Tola.

Since becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2006, Rich has taught more than 25,000 students in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States. He has also produced nearly 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.

Inquiries: Angie Lee Chastain | [email protected]