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

New Reality TV Series to Illuminate the World with Yoga

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06/01/16

YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous

Chicago, IL: Yoga expert and former Wall Street executive, Rich Tola, aims to bring his unique workout style of Tola Yoga to the world with his new Reality TV series, YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous. After 10 years of teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students from the ages 3-to-93 in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States, Tola’s mission is to inspire audiences everywhere with his one simple mantra: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.

“YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous will take you on a wild and witty ride throughout the streets of Chicago before traveling to capitol cities around the globe”, says Tola. “Our mission is to creatively demonstrate the ability for everyone on the planet to reap the benefits of the 6,000 year-old mind-body-spirit practice of Yoga, as well as highlight National Landmarks and popular destinations of each metropolis while teaching Yoga to its “Almost Famous” business leaders and owners, designers, politicians, musicians and athletes”. Plus, anyone else Tola happens to meet along the way.

And who else better to inspire anyone who has ever asked, “What is Yoga and can I do it?”, than someone whose life was transformed by the powers of Yoga.

Since becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2006, Tola has produced more than 20 hours of instructional Fitness & Yoga videos including his three DVDs; Yoga-to-Go, Rich Tola’s Yoga Survival Guide and Rich Tola’s 15 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, plus his two Web Series; Stay Zen with Rich Tola and Rich Tola’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts.

Upon completion of his Yoga-inspired film, Boulevard Zen (2009), Tola founded a charity to teach the benefits of Yoga to women and children survivors of domestic violence, The Boulevard Zen Foundation. Tola’s passion for Yoga is complimented by his lifelong passion for fitness…more than 50 years to be exact, combining his 40 years of weight training in gyms and health clubs around the world with his 11 years of practicing Yoga.

Tola received his MBA from The Kellogg School at Northwestern University, and looks forward to “showcasing the truly unique landmarks and neighborhoods the Windy City has to offer”.

Inquiries: Angie Lee Chastain | [email protected]

Tola Talks w/ Fashionista & Stylist Melissa Chataigne

 

Tola Talks underwater shipwrecks & Christopher Columbus, lightening strikes & rituals, Paris & the Eiffel Tower, GYST Awards & the NFL, plus The Best of LA from LA Weekly Magazine. On Top 10 Tuesdays, Rich also talks personal shopping with stylist and fashionista, Melissa Chataigne. Live weekdays on youtube.com/tolatalks.

RichTolaMelissaChataigne
Tola Talks’ Rich Tola with Fashionista and Personal Stylist, Melissa Chataigne