Rising Norwegian star Casper Ruud, 21, doesn't want to waste any time on the Tour as he is eager to win now as much as possible. Ruud, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 45 in the world, claimed a 7-5 6-1 win over third-seeded Dusan Lajovic 7-5 6-1 to make the semifinal in Buenos Aires.

"I will try to look at it as positive as possible. I'm young and hopefully I have many years ahead in my career," Ruud said beating Lajovic. "I'm not going to say that I'm better than the older players but when you are young you are maybe a little bit more explosive, you are very keen and very eager to do well every single week...

This is something that I have been trying to motivate myself with." Ruud, who ended runner-up in Houston last year, is aiming to win his maiden ATP title in Buenos Aires as he is set to battle next against Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero, who beat Guido Pella.

Even with a semifinal loss, the 21-year-old Norwegian would still break into the top-40 for the first time in his career on Monday and reach a new career-high ranking.

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Casper Ruud: I'm young and very motivated to do well every single week - Tennis World USA

Oregon voters generally have it good. Vote-by-mail allows us to vote at home, while, beginning with the first election this year, the state will pick up the postage if we return ballots by mail. And, thanks to a relatively new law that registers voters automatically when they apply for or renew a drivers license, would-be voters dont even have to bother to take time to register.

There is one more step lawmakers could take to make it even easier to vote, however. As Jennifer Williamson, one of the Democratic candidates for Secretary of State, said recently, allowing Oregonians to register to vote on the day of the election would open voting up to people who, for now, are denied the privilege.

Actually, allowing same-day registration would be a return to the old ways in this state. It had been part of the Oregon Revised Statutes since 1979, but voters got rid of it in November, 1986, when they approved Ballot Measure 13 by a nearly 2-1 margin. The measure, a constitutional amendment, was proposed in the wake of attempts by followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh to pack voter rolls in Wasco County in 1984 by busing homeless men and women from the Portland area to The Dalles to register to vote.

If Oregon is serious about making sure every citizen of the state has a right to vote and that its relatively easy for each of us to do so, its time to return to the pre-1986 good old days. Same-day voter registration was, in fact, a problem, though only briefly. Since then the technology to verify and track information about individuals has improved dramatically, making the risk of another major attempt to register people fraudulently unlikely.

Meanwhile, the change would close a loophole that keeps some Oregonians, among them newcomers, from casting ballots in state elections. Thats a loophole ripe for closing.

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Take last step to voter access | Wire Commentary - Herald and News

RICKY WILSON/STUFF

Police are conducting a training exercise in Wellington this week.

Wellington residents will notice an increased police presence in their areadue to atraining exercise which will starton Monday.

Theexercise will be based at101 Rongotai Road, Kilbirnie, and will continue untilFriday,February 14.

"There will be an increased police presence in the area between 8am and 4pm, and this will include staff carrying firearms.

Supplied

Kilbernie residents might hear some loud bangs due to a police training exercise.

READ MORE: * Police to take part in training exercise at Hawke's Bay Airport * Police carrying firearms, 'loud noises' expected for training exercise in south Auckland * Police training excercise in Manukau Harbour

"Members of the public may hear breaking glass and some loud bangs coming from the venue."

Police reassured residents that there wasno cause for concern during the exercise.

*Forqueries, contact the Wellington Police Communications Centre on (04) 381 2000 and quote event number P040820976.

Wellington

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Police to conduct training exercise in Kilbirnie - Stuff.co.nz

You want a centered first responder

Learn more about local first responders attempts to stay sane and limber in the Humboldt Bay Fire press release below:

Humboldt Bay Fire has partnered with Yoga for First Responders to bring yoga to the fire floor and support the mental and physical health of our team.

Not only are firefighters more likely to die by suicide than on duty, but rates of depression and PTSD amongst fire personnel are 5 times higher than those of the general population.

This new practice adds to our existing Wellness Program including a Peer Support team, annual physicals, Behavior Health Awareness & Mental Health trainings, and Employee Assistance Program.

We believe this implementation will increase crew resiliency to high stress situations and improve long-term job survivability. In addition, regularly practicing yoga has been shown to decrease injury and increase recovery time in first responders, as well as positively impact neuroplasticity and heart rate variability regulation. A healthier crew means that HBF is better prepared to serve the community at the highest standard.

We are so excited to work with our local Yoga for First Responders instructor, Jennelle Crnich, and look forward to a happy and healthy 2020.

For more information: https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/

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DOWNWARD FACING DO-GOODERS: Humboldt Firefighters Are Now Taking Yoga Classes So That They May Better Rescue You Someday - Lost Coast Outpost

Theres no place like Om.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are relieved to be living like homebodies in Canada swapping royal duties for long walks and regular yoga sessions, according to a report.

They are enjoying living a quiet life, an insider told People magazine of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs new life with baby Archie.

They go for long walks, they do yoga, and Meghan cooks. They are real homebodies who love to chill out with Archie and the dogs, the friend said of the besotted couple who call each other H and M.

They both love to be outside and have been loving it there, the friend said of scenic Vancouver Island, where they are staying in a mansion after fleeing the UK.

Still, they are not planning to fully relocate to the Great White North.

They love being in Canada, but they are looking at houses in LA too, the friend told People. Theyll likely have houses in both places.

Despite the huge backlash it sparked, the Sussexes are relieved to be free from royal responsibilities, with Meghan noticeably much less stressed, one source told the mag.

A weight has been lifted off their shoulders, a friend told the mag, saying the decision to Megxit had been weighing on them for a long time.

Now they are trying to live their life as regular parents, the friend said.

Archie is the priority. Its very much about taking care of him and putting the family first, the friend said.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have swapped royal duties for long walks and yoga - Page Six

Bob Harper caught the bug in Nashville. It was just a small studio in his neighborhood, but when Harper started exercising there, he was hooked. So he packed up, drove to L.A. from Tennessee and broke into fitness. Next up: becoming a celebrity trainer and then hosting The Biggest Loser.

Looking at Harper, you might assume he rode from Nashville to Cali in the hope of rockstardom. When we caught up with the fitness host at his home (now in downtown Manhattan), he answered the door looking more grunge than gurublack Rolling Stones T-shirt, bleach blond hair, tattoo sleeves and ink across his knuckles. And while his looks may resemble those of a guitarist after an all-night bender, Harpers habits are anything but excessive.

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In fact, the 54 year old may just be the healthiest guy weve featured so far.

Following him to his kitchen, we can definitely say he has the most health-enviable, Whole-Foods-isle-looking fridge weve ever seen, and we get the sense that our visit prompted zero rearranging; Bob Harper wakes up to a fridge like this every dang day. Fridge staples include kombucha (for after Yoga), green juices (low sugar) that taste like grassI kinda like that, fresh vegetablescarrots, brusel sprouts, asparagus, celerygreek yogurt, egg whites, and fruit. No microwaveables. No sweets. Unlike plenty of other celebs who rely on chefs, Harper cooks most of his own food. I want to know whats in my food. I get to control every protein, fat, and carb that I eat.

It all may sound obsessive and hyper-curated, but Harper has reason to watch his diet.

In 2017 while at a CrossFit class, Harper experienced a heart attack. Luckily there was a doctor in the class who was able to administer CPR. Still, Harper had to be put in a medically-induced coma after he was defibrillated. He owes his life, doctors say, to his superior physical condition.

But that physicality needed some adjustments, Harper concluded.

Before I was eating high-protein, high-fat. I worked out really intensely. And I had this veracious appetite. Since my heart attack, I really count my micros. I look at my protein, fat, and carbs. I tend to stay a little low fat. I stay away from red meat.

Harpers heart attack also forced him to back off the intense exercising. Before, he would slam CrossFit workouts. Now, he opts for yoga, hitting his studio up the street 5-6 times a week. And thats hot yoga, by the waywalking into a room thats 115 degrees with high humidity, standing on a mat for 90 minutes, no music, specific direction; its a mind fuck. He admits the intensity is comparable to CrossFit.

Harper says anyone focusing on serious dieting or exercising needs to start slow. I dont like cutting out major food groups. I want to keep a good balance of all the nutrients. Harper also advises that anyone starting their fitness journey take everything in stride. Dont try to change everything all at once. You cannot be Miss America, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Superman in the first week, month, or year.

To lose big, you have to win the long game. And Harper is out in front.

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The Biggest Loser's Bob Harper - Diet and Workout - menshealth.com

These days, its all about relieving stress, shedding anger and tapping into our best selves. Therapy is a huge help with guidance from a qualified professional. But sometimes, folks would rather bash old computers, hurl plates at a wall or paint calming lake and tree scenes. Then theres ax throwing and floating in dark saltwater for an hour.

There has been a lot of research around mindfulness such as the benefits of yoga, meditation, breathing and body-centered psychotherapy as ways to relieve stress, reduce insomnia, reduce anxiety and depression, and handle social anxieties.

The Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness offers classes and workshops on topics ranging from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to Eat for Life: Mindful Eating. So, where does plate-throwing and yoga with goats fit in?

All of these things are somewhat body centered which, therapeutically, has been helpful, said April Kaiserlian, LMSW, co-founder of Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness and a body-centered psychotherapist. These types of activities are the lighthearted side of the healing journey.

And theres a place for lighthearted, said Kaiserlian. These activities get people out of their heads and into body-centered practices. Fun is an incredible way to cultivate healing.

Tyler Phaneuf runs Phlot, which offers individual float tanks filled with Epsom salt that allow floaters to relax in a dark, quiet, body-temperature environment. Floating helps reduce stress, anxiety, muscle tension and chronic pain, as well as lowers blood pressure and helps athletes heal, Phaneuf said. It also takes a meditation practice to a new level.

He dreams of adding another flotation room, saunas and massage rooms to round out the experience, noting that the number of floaters has increased as more people hear about it. Flotation helps people cultivate a more being mode, Kaiserlian said. The body knows there isnt much it can do while floating, which supports being.

She points to other healing modalities such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, taking a baking class, painting and even laughter yoga. Its about people getting out of their heads and into their bodies, Kaiserlian said.

Angela McElroy is owner of Dorr to Eden, which offers goat yoga during the summer months. Its yoga with goats sitting on the yoga mats, nuzzling a neck, wandering through the group and occasionally pooping on a mat.

Two years ago, we did two goat yoga classes. As people were leaving, they said how much the class brought them joy and made them laugh, said McElroy, a former social worker and now a doctor of naturopathy. If you can bring a little laughter and joy back into the world, thats great.

McElroy is certified in equine therapy, which she does at Dorr to Eden, too. She invites her miniature donkey into the yoga events and has a tortoise that kids can visit with and even paint.

Things like goat yoga keep you in the present moment; youre not thinking about the past or the future, she said. You can experience joy instead of anxiety. You can keep away from the woulda, coulda, shouldas.

Goat yoga and floatation aside, Kaiserlian encourages participants in these alternative well-being therapies to pay attention to the emotions that are prompting the desire to break things, shoot things or escape into an activity, as well as pay attention to when these things dont work.

Working through rage can be cathartic, but sometimes it can trigger trauma, she said. Notice that, and if you experience a trigger, you may need additional support. Also, you can smash something and have a release, but have you discovered the information behind that emotion?

Theres growing research behind mindfulness and body-centered psychotherapy, among other things, but not so much about things like goat yoga and rage rooms.

These things are outside the bell curve. They are on the edges and can be a doorway into deeper work, Kaiserlian said. They are less threatening, there is less judgment and less stigma.

Alternative therapies Looking for something to calm your nerves, de-stress after a long week or take your mind off the difficult things in your life? The list below provides an overview of the many alternative well-being therapies around Grand Rapids. Visit websites or Facebook pages, read reviews, get recommendations and choose the best alternative therapy for you.

Relaxation and healing therapies: Phlot flotation in a sensory-reduced environment; phlotgr.com Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness mindfulness tools to manage your stress and increase health and well-being; randrapidscenterformindfulness.com Dorr to Eden-Naturopathy and Animal Enhanced Growth healing the mind, body and soul with animals and herbs; bit.ly/DorrToEden and dorrtoeden.org Yoga studios around the city offer varied times and practices Massage therapy locations around the city offer varied times and modalities Acupuncture of West Michigan customized treatment plans; cupunctureofwestmichigan.com Holistic Care Approach multidisciplinary wellness center; holisticcareapproach.com

Creative therapies: Brush Studio art class meets night out, also available for private parties; brushgr.com Bamboo Studio private parties and art classes; bamboostudiogr.com The Mud Room pottery painting, wood signs, pottery wheel studio, handprints; themudroom.us Pottery Lane six-week classes and Girls Night Out; potterylanegr.com Michigan Fibre Studio instruction in wide variety of fiber arts; michiganfibrestudio.com GRCC Cooks cooking classes for all levels; bit.ly/GRCCcooks

Assertive therapies: Break Room Therapy physically release emotions by smashing things; breakroomtherapy.com Grand Rapids Escape Room you have 60 minutes to escape or complete the challenge; grandrapidsescaperoom.com The Great Escape Room Sherlock-themed escape room adventures; thegreatescaperoom.com Target Axe Throwing combine urban lifestyle with rural action; targetaxethrowing.com Terra Firma bouldering (climbing without ropes) for all levels; climbterrafirma.com Inside Moves top rope and lead climbing, as well as bouldering; insidemoves.com CKO Kickboxing burn fat, reduce stress, tone up; ckokickboxing.com

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Soak, meditate and crash your way to better health - GR|MAG

Feb. 7, 2020, 8:48 PM UTC

Getting sweaty in a hot yoga studio has been one of the biggest fitness trends of the last decade. The mental, physical and spiritual practice has fans all over the world, from Meghan Markle (aka the Duchess of Sussex) to Lady Gaga.

But what's all the hype about?

We asked experts to fill us in on just what hot yoga entails, why people love it and how to set yourself up for success if you decide to try it out.

In a broad sense, hot yoga is exactly what it sounds like: yoga in a heated room. As the popularity of the practice has increased, it's expanded to include different variations of hot yoga classes.

Originally created in the '80s by yogi Bikram Choudhury, hot yoga was "really his way of trying to mimic the heat in India that allowed him to feel like he could get deeper into postures a little bit easier," says Dr. Christa Kuberry, a vice president at Yoga Alliance.

Today, the Bikram style of hot yoga consists of a series of 26 postures. In hot yoga classes not labeled as Bikram, you will find the same elements of heat and humidity but the postures and flow of the class will stray from the Bikram series.

"I would say that in general hot yoga is when you are doing an elevated practice," says Sarah Levey, CEO and co-founder of Y7 Studio.

At Y7, for example, hot yoga is done in the vinyasa style, meaning that your movements flow from pose to pose partnered with your breath, with one breath corresponding to one movement.

In general, Levey says, Its really great for anyone."

Dr. Edward Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, agrees that if you're a person who likes hot yoga, it's a good way to get exercise.

"A lot of the postures require and improve stability and muscle strengthening," he says.

One of the biggest benefits of hot yoga is that it allows your muscles to heat up and relax much more quickly than they would in a traditional yoga class. This can make hot yoga a great supplement for someone who is an avid runner or loves strength training.

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"Heat, in general, dilates the blood vessels so it brings blood flow to the muscles," Laskowski says. "Muscles need blood flow when they are working, they need oxygen that is delivered by the blood. Many people like to exercise in a hot environment because it loosens up the muscle."

Hot yoga is also a cardiovascular workout.

"The demands of the poses and also the hot environment you are in raises the heart rate so you are getting some cardiovascular or heart conditioning in there," Laskowski explains.

Research is still being done to better understand even more of the potential benefits of hot yoga, but, according to Kuberry, some have seen skin improvement (specifically those with eczema) and a feeling of detoxification.

There are risks involved in practicing hot yoga for those with specific health issues.

According to Laskowski, pregnancy, heart disease, dehydration, heat intolerance or a prior stroke would be cause for concern and these are just some of the potential conditions that may affect your ability to practice. If you have questions about the potential risks, consult your physician before trying a hot yoga class.

Overall, Laskowski says, "If you have no health concerns, you dont have any problems with heat-related illness and that is what you like to do, it probably is OK."

Just as the class structures can vary, the temperature of the room can as well.

Kuberry advises that Bikram studios are generally heated to between 106-109 degrees with 40% humidity. Y7 Studios heat its classes from 80-90 degrees.

There are also different ways to heat the studio. The traditional method is to use a hot yoga-specific heater which pumps in hot air as well as a humidifier, but at Y7 and many other modern hot yoga studios, the rooms are heated with infrared heat.

"Infrared heat actually heats you from the inside out," Levey says. "If you held your hand up to an infrared heater, you wouldnt actually feel any air coming out."

With this style of heating, she claims that you sweat out less water and a larger percentage of oils and toxins.

Studios often advertise how they heat their rooms and the temperature. Before you try a new class, you should ask the studio about the temperature so you can mentally prepare for your workout.

Make sure you have enough water, both before and during the class. Levey, Kuberry and Lastowski all agree that staying hydrated is one of the most important elements of practicing hot yoga.

"Know that it is a pretty extreme environment so to be prepared for that both mentally, emotionally and physically," says Kuberry. "The biggest thing is just the hydration piece."

Going into the room dehydrated puts you at greater risk of experiencing heat-related issues or fainting.

"It is going to be a lot more difficult so just have the courage," says Levey.

After class, Levey says she likes to get her sugar levels back up with a healthy snack like an apple.

You also want to avoid any shock to your muscles that could come with a rapid variation in temperature after a hot yoga class.

"I would suggest if you are going out of the room to not go into another extreme temperature. If you are going outside in the cold, make sure to put your jacket on; things like that," says Kuberry.

If you don't have health concerns and you're still curous, Levey recommends going for it. "I would say just try it," she says. "You never know unless you get in there."

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What is hot yoga? Learn health benefits and what to expect - Today.com

Fall leaves turn yellow on the Skyline Divide Trail, with Mount Baker looming in the distance.

Walking into the IMA can be a frightening scene. The weight room feels like a dungeon full of ripped frat guys and fitness models. This environment can understandably be discouraging. As February comes and goes, attempts at New Years resolutions can seem bleak. If your January goal of going to the gym more, eating healthy, and overall attempting to thrive has begun to feel grim, there are other ways to stay active without trying to navigate the pressure of the IMA.

Being in Seattle means there are tons of ways to take advantage of the Pacific Northwest terrain. While walking around campus takes enough steps as it is, hopping on one of the many rideshare bikes found throughout campus could give you another way to get around, which is more active and timesaving. The U Bike bicycle library program allows students to rent bicycles for a monthly or quarterly fee. Taking one of these bikes or your own for a Sunday morning ride along the Burke-Gilman trail or by the water is another way to get up and active.

Looking outside the U-District, there is a multitude of hiking trails to explore. Discovery Park in Magnolia has a three-mile loop that gives a great view of Puget Sound and even has a lighthouse. Located in Issaquah, the Poo Poo Point Trail hike is well worth the drive time. Meant for more intermediate hikers, the path is narrow with a steep incline, but the view at the top is spectacular. On days with decent weather, there are often paragliders getting ready to jump, which is another reward for reaching the top.

Getting active can be easier if you have others to motivate you. There are several clubs on campus dedicated to housing a community of inclusive activity. The Husky Running Club meets every weekday in the Quad at 5 p.m. and takes runners of all skill levels, forming groups of similar levels to run together. If running isnt your thing, the Rec Clubs Program has over 40 clubs, including soccer, kayaking, cycling, table tennis, and more; these could provide you with an easy way to stay active, meet new people, and have fun.

If youre more inclined to stay indoors, there are still several ways to stay active. The IMA offers a variety of classes that dont fit the typical idea of the gym. For the dance-inclined, there are Zumba, ballet, or salsa classes. Or, if youre looking for something more invigorating, there are a ton of conditioning classes offered. These include spinning, circuit training, kickboxing and more. While these classes do charge quarterly fees, there is a drop-in option for most classes that allows you to pay $6 to attend an individual session so you can try out different classes.

There are also yoga and mindfulness classes offered at the IMA, but you dont need to travel to the gym to practice yoga; there are a ton of YouTube channels dedicated to home practices. Yoga is a great way to not only work on total body strength but also improve mindfulness and encourage healthy thinking regarding exercise and beyond.

Staying fit doesnt have to mean doing the crazy workouts you see on Instagram. There are a ton of ways to get active and maybe fulfill those January goals without stepping into the gym.

Reach writer McKenna Zacher at wellness@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @mckennazacher

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The hosts announced the next performer, Aaron Sawyer.

Sawyer walked down to the stage, took off his socks (something he says helps him feel grounded) and asked the crowd to give itself a hug of self-appreciation before breaking down into empowered vocal riffs that left a stunned silence hanging among the audience. Then, he spent the next five minutes freestyle rapping acapella, letting off a stream of conscience full of dense wordplay and surprisingly impactful content.

The performance at SUABs Open Mic Night was unique to say the least. Not only was Sawyer the lone hip-hop act of the night, the level of passion and creativity he brought to his performance set him apart. His words and his presence felt electric with a desire to take on the world in every possible way.

A marketing and entrepreneurship senior at OSU, Sawyer spends his free time teaching yoga at the Colvin and recording raps he releases on Spotify. The beginning is a good place to understand Sawyer and his work.

Ill take it all the way back, Sawyer said. I was born in the ambulance of St. Johns hospital, April 22, on Earth day. 8 a.m., fresh on the sunrise, couldnt even make it to the hospital, I was ready, bro.

Growing up in Broken Arrow, he said his earliest memories of writing lyrics were in creative writing classes. He grew up listening to punk rock, but a natural affinity for rap music grew as he watched BET when he got home from school. He didnt know it yet, but an artist was growing inside of him.

When he graduated high school and was getting ready for college, Sawyer realized the true power music holds. He went to a music festival with his sister as a graduation gift. He said the experience he had at that weekend in the middle of nowhere getting lost in the music, opened him up to a new world.

Thats when the writing really started, Sawyer said. I had to understand, I had to decode. I was writing and it just got more and more in depth; I became more and more curious about what was really going on.

Most of his early writing full of lots of anger and rage, Sawyer began falling into the trope of angry white boy rapper that so many kids like him become. However, an accident that left him with two broken wrists brought him into a new world that opened him up to finding peace: yoga.

Prior to breaking his wrists, Sawyer was an avid weightlifter. After the accident, he wanted to keep his body in shape and discovered Rebel Yoga, a yoga class led by a reformed felon teaching others to find tranquility in their lives. It was here that Sawyer received a lesson that has stuck with him ever since.

He was the first person to tell me, Aaron, sit down and shut up, Sawyer said. He was the one who told me I sound like an angry white boy, that there are enough angry white boys in the world, we dont need another one. I had to sit with that, and that prompted me to start tapping into source, into spirit for my message, rather from my rage and anger.

Yoga became an artform beyond a workout for Sawyer, a way to express himself with his body to find peace and balance. He took a semester abroad in Australia where he spent most of his time doing yoga, meditating and writing.

I started breaking down the English language, understanding that they call it spelling, Sawyer said. These are spells that were casting, this is magic. So, I understand that I can break down my reality with words.

Coming back from Australia, he had a fresh perspective and a new drive to achieve his goals. He began recording tracks that blended his hip-hop style with the roots of punk music, some that he would release on Spotify, including a full-length album titled Free Your Mind. Sawyer is passionate about blending the genres, saying that 808 drums and electric guitars are something he loves.

On my softer days, I want to go back into the jazz and R&B elements with the poetry, but for concerts, I want to mix those bass drops with riffs, Sawyer said. It cant get any better. I learned that sometimes, whether people understand the lyrics or not, sometimes its irrelevant because its a feeling; they get the vibe behind it.

Looking to the future, Aaron said he wants to make albums that are hip-hop, albums that are punk rock, he said hed even do an EDM album if he could make it not corny. Above all else, he wants to make music that brings light to others

Its up to me, for my free will, to show people what you can do with language, Sawyer said. And how you can create a beautiful reality by speaking positive existence.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

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Meet the yoga teaching business student with a unique approach to rap - Daily O'Collegian