Startups are known for missions that are lofty, audacious, and sometimes even a bit wacky-sounding. But when it comes to ambition, perhaps none are a match for Headspace. "We want to improve the health and happiness of the world," explains Rich Pierson, the company's co-founder.

That's a tall order for any company, never mind one that makes a seemingly simple meditation app. But the Los Angeles-based startup claims 12 million active users, and says that 80 percent of its growth comes from word of mouth. Headspace, which guides users through hundreds of meditation sessions of various lengths, has a five-star rating in the Apple app store, and more than four stars pretty much everywhere else.

While Pierson jokes that we've hit "peak mindfulness," he believes that there's still lots of opportunity to get more people to meditate. By making the practice both approachable and simple---not too clinical, and not delving into "super-weird, hippie granola crystal healing madness," says Pierson--Headspace aims to make it appealing to those who might not have considered it before.

There's also a burgeoning market in large companies that are becoming more aware of the role that mental health could and should play in their corporate wellness programs. That opens up opportunities for companies such as Headspace and meQuilibrium, which offers online stress management. "I think companies are growing in the way they view wellness," says Rob Goetzel, a senior scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "I think these types of activities--meditation is one technique--ought to be part of the tool kit employers use to support workers."

Most of the time, that has meant a company would hire a trainer and set up a time for employees to learn meditation or other strategies to build their resilience and deal with stress. "Some people like to be in a room with other people," says Goetzel. "But it's very hard to get people in a room for an hour." Delivering meditation via an app allows employees to practice whenever they choose. That may increase adoption, and, Goetzel suspects, could be cheaper than the in-person option.

It's not like Headspace is the only meditation app out there. Dozens of entrepreneurs, it seems, see little irony in using the most distracting device we own--the smartphone--and trying to turn it into a tool for improved awareness. Headspace, at $7.99 to $12.95 a month (depending on the length of your subscription), also is not the cheapest.

What is does have is an unusual co-founder duo: Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk who does the narration for all of Headspace's sessions, and Pierson, who'd formerly been marketing Axe deodorant for BBH, a large agency. Each of them came to meditation through a personal crisis: Puddicombe somehow endured a year during which two of his friends were killed by a drunk driver, his stepsister was killed cycling, and his ex-girlfriend died during heart surgery. His response, after some initial boozing, was to leave his native England for 10 years, study Buddhism, and be ordained as a monk.

Pierson's catalyst was perhaps less dramatic, but it affected him deeply. "I had a bit of a breakdown," says Pierson. "I couldn't go out on public transport, I couldn't speak in front of people. And my job up till then had been in a very public role." A friend introduced him to Puddicombe, who was teaching meditation at a clinic while also running intensive one-day meditation events for a few hundred people at a time. "We did a skills swap," says Pierson. "He would teach me meditation, and I would help him get more people to his events."

Even with Pierson's help, there were still plenty of people who wanted to attend Puddicombe's events but couldn't. They asked if they could buy the handouts that attendees received, so Pierson and Puddicombe started selling that content on their website. In 2011, after an event in New York City, they met someone who asked if they had considered selling the content as a subscription. "We were like, no, we definitely hadn't thought of that," says Pierson, still sounding a bit amused by the oversight. "The events business is a terrible business model, so we went with the subscription idea."

The following year, they developed some exclusive content for The Guardian. "That was the turning point," says Pierson. In a month, the paper took in 32,000 in subscription sales--more than it made the entire year before. Pierson and Puddicombe also built an app, but, says Pierson, "we didn't have any money. We had different developers working on it all over the world. It was kind of built on quicksand."

By 2013, the founders realized they were building a content company, and moved to Los Angeles (yes, they're both surfers). They relaunched the app in July 2014, coming up with something similar to its current product. Meditations are bundled into packs designed to help with relationships, health, and other topics.

In September 2015, the company raised $34 million, a round led by the Chernin group that included Los Angeles luminaries Jessica Alba and Jared Leto. Among other things, the money will help Headspace expand internationally and increase the number of animations on its app. Headspace also will be paying more attention to the corporate market this year. Its clients include Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, says Pierson. These companies get discounts for their employees, and HR managers can tell, in aggregate, how much time employees spend with the app (no personally identifiable metrics are available). The 165-person company offers its content as part of the in-flight entertainment network on seven airlines as well.

Headspace also runs about 40 different studies on the uses and effects of its app. Some address chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep patterns. Another is examining compassion fatigue in nurses. "To me, it's really interesting if Headspace can work with medical professionals," says Pierson.

That would no doubt lend the app some credibility among doubters. While Headspace's user reviews are full of nifty quotes like "This changed my life," Headspace can't promise that subscribers will see any particular gains as a result of the practice. "We are taught that if we do X, we will get Y," says Pierson. "Meditation is the complete opposite of that. If someone is just starting out, my biggest advice is to expect nothing."

If Pierson thinks it's odd that he and Puddicombe are attempting to build a billion-dollar business based on the practices of a religion that argues strenuously against all forms of materialism, well, he's not letting on. He points out that he and Puddicombe still own a large share of the company, having bootstrapped it for five years, and, he says, "making money before we did the A round. It's a proper business." (The company declined to give financial figures.) In the end, Pierson says, "we're mission-first. We want to make sure we can build the project we envision building. If you've got a big enough vision, you need help and financing to get there."

Related:Why Meditation and Mindfulness Training Is One of the Best Industries for Starting a Business in 2017

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How a Monk and an Ad Executive Are Turning Meditation Into a Fast-Growth Business - Inc.com

MANSFIELD -- With violent protests and hate speech a daily part of everyones newsfeeds, a Mansfield, Ohio pair are offering powerful tools for positive action.

A Meditation in Action program will be held Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the historic Butterfly House at 20 N. Mulberry St. in downtown Mansfield. This program will explore contemplative practices that will help individuals stay calm and will provide positive, effective ways to serve as engaged citizens.

The event will be co-hosted by Annamarie Fernyak, founder of Mind Body Align, LLC and noted author and yoga instructor, Claudia Cummins and is free to the public.

Meditation can be a powerful tool that promotes not just inner peace, but also peace in the world around us, shared Cummins. In this afternoon session and community gathering, we'll explore contemplative practices that help us stay calm and balanced in our ever-changing world. We'll also consider ways to serve as engaged citizens who promote wellbeing for all with a spirit of goodwill and unity.

When asked, both Cummins and Fernyak felt there were common themes driving the protests and hateful speech clogging our daily lives. Some of these include How do we live in ease, even in these unsettled times? How does peace in the outer world relate to peace in our own hearts? How do we speak up from a place of love, rather than hate? How do we seek out common ground with those who disagree with us?

Cummins shared what she views as one of the most important thoughts, How can we use difficult emotions like fear and anger to promote healing, rather than discord?

At the Meditation for Action workshop, the group will be led in positive methods for considering these questions and more. The afternoon will include seated meditation, discussion, and an opportunity to learn more about local groups seeking positive change.

This session is offered in a spirit of peace rather than conflict, love rather than hate, and unity rather than polarization, stated Cummins.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of race, age, gender, religion or political belief. No prior meditation experience is necessary. The event is listed on MBAs calendar of events, and can be found by clicking here. View and share your interest on the Facebook invite here.

Mind Body Align, LLC provides opportunity and empowers everyone to live their best lives. It is a multi-faceted business incubator and provides a home for wellness services and career opportunities in the form of available meeting, working and space which is soothing, inspiring and state of the art.

Their cafe offer healthy lunch daily, a gift shop, monthly coffee talks, wine socials, and wellness opportunities. Follow the events scheduled at the Butterfly House on Instagram or at http://www.MindBodyAlign.com and grow inspired to live with intention your best life.

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MBA Wellness Center sponsors Meditation for Action workshop - Richland Source

TALLINN, Estonia -- They may look like soldiers, but theyre actually ordinary men and women with day jobs who volunteer in the Estonian Defence League, a kind of citizens militia.

There are more than 13,000 of them, a civilian resistance force ready to rise up if Estonia were attacked.

Right now, they believe their aggressive neighbor to the east -- Russia -- is enemy number one, especially after its invasion of Ukraine.

Estonia has a professional military too; It was on display in this weekends Independence Day parade.

American soldiers march in Estonias Independence Day parade

CBS News

This small country spends big on defense. Its a fully paid-up member of NATO, and that buys it powerful friends.

Estonian Defense Minister Margus Tsahkna

CBS News

This year, U.S. soldiers deployed to Estonia were part of the parade, and for the first time they brought tanks.

American tanks on the streets of Estonias capital send a powerful message to the people; that the U.S. will stand by its NATO allies. They also send a clear signal to the Kremlin.

That signal: a Russian attack on Estonia backed by NATO would be dangerous.

We are sending the message to Russia very clearly that we are able to speak the same language as Mr. Putin does, and its language that we are ready to fight, said Defense Minister Margus Tsahkna.

And staying ready means constant training.

On Saturday near the town of Voru, local women of the Defense League were learning to use GPS equipment.

Members of the Estonian Defense League prepare for an annual excercise

CBS News

For Ruth Maadla, its about learning new skills. She doesnt really expect the Russian to invade, but I think its good to have the message, she said.

That message to Russia is loud and clear: Estonia is spending record amounts on its military, and the Defence League had never had more volunteers.

2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Summary: The children in these tribal ashram schools should get justice," said Talpe. Talpe said the HC had stated that the government should stop aid to ashram schools that do not fulfil the minimum criteria with immediate effect. As the petitioners' group, we have planned to check whether the committees are doing their duties. The petitioner Talpe claims that unless the suggestions are executed, there is no point in having several committees review the same issue.In his PIL filed in 2013, Talpe had stated that there were over 900 deaths reported at these schools. "There should be constant monitoring.

Pune: The Bombay High Court has suggested the state tribal department to submit a detailed compliance report regarding the functioning of 1,108 tribal ashram schools by March 31.There are 552 government-run tribal schools and 556 aided schools in the state.With five technical committees appointed in the last four years, to check the functioning of tribal ashram schools in the state, the department is expected to come up with a detailed plan by the end of the month.The directions were given during the hearing of a PIL filed by Pune-based petitioner Ravindra Talpe.Senior officials told TOI that the department has been asked to ready the plan and explain the implementation process for tribal ashram schools. The petitioner Talpe claims that unless the suggestions are executed, there is no point in having several committees review the same issue.In his PIL filed in 2013, Talpe had stated that there were over 900 deaths reported at these schools. Talpe said the HC had stated that the government should stop aid to ashram schools that do not fulfil the minimum criteria with immediate effect."There should be constant monitoring.

As the petitioners' group, we have planned to check whether the committees are doing their duties. The children in these tribal ashram schools should get justice," said Talpe.. .

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/state-to-hand-in-compliance-report-by-end-of-month/articleshow/57418669.cms

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State to hand in compliance report by end of month | Pune NYOOOZ - NYOOOZ

Miami Herald

PETA 'lettuce ladies' take eat vegan message to Cuba | Miami Herald Miami Herald The animal rights group's 'lettuce ladies' took off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for a Havana trip to spread their animal rights and vegan ... PETA's Lettuce Ladies In Cuba Selling Vegan Virtues And Bizarre ...WLRN Havana Bound: 'Lettuce Ladies' Take Their First-Ever Trip to Cuba ...PETA (blog) (press release) all 4 news articles »

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PETA 'lettuce ladies' take eat vegan message to Cuba | Miami Herald - Miami Herald

Baker Becca Jones cleaning up the icing top to the traditional vegan Ho Ho's at the Make, Believe Bakery, a vegan bakery in downtown that also offers gluten free vegan foods. Denver. February 23, 2017 Denver, CO. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Pastry is the embodiment of all that is right with the world.

Have I gone too far? Maybe. But for me, a great pastry has the ability to brighten my day, impress a group of friends or make someone feel loved.

But because dairy and eggs are often used to make wonderful pastry, many vegans are left standing outside on the sidewalk, staring longingly into a bakery as the rain washes away their tears. Dont you worry, my vegan friends. You, too, can have a rom-com moment with a pastry.

This is the part of the movie where you trip and fall into the loving arms of Make, Believe Bakery.

This vegan bakery which also touts lots of gluten-free options began in 2004 as Watercourse Bakery, said owner Dan Landes, who also owns City O City and formerly owned the restaurant WaterCourse Foods before selling it to Lauren Roberts in 2014. It became Make, Believe in the summer of 2016 and opened a storefront location in August next to City O City at 214 E. 13th Ave.

Heres a shocker: Not every pastry is appropriate for every situation. How to choose? Go to Make, Believe Bakerys co-managers Randa Duffy and Kelly McBride for advice. I hit them with four scenarios that require pastries, and asked for recommendations:

Its a Friday and you want to celebrate the weekend. Or its a Monday and you want to kick off the week with a bang. Or its literally any day of the week and you just want a morning pastry. What do you get?

McBride &Duffy:Both said theyd send customers next doorto City O City, where they stock the bakerys scones. Flavors rotate weekly. Weekenders can get a pack of four. Cost: $3 each.

(Other shop employees said the sweet potato cinnamon roll was the way to go. They swear that it melts in your mouth. Cost: $3.50.)

Its been a rough day. Work has been getting you down. Puddles of ice water seem to jump in front of your feet. An Instagram photo only got one like. You just need this one thing to go right. What pastry turns your day around?

McBride:The scout cookie, popular among both vegan and nonvegan folk. The cookies are the bakerys take on a classic Samoawith walnuts, sweet potatoes, coconut and chocolate. Cost: $3.50 per cookie or a dozen for $38. (Well worth it, trust me.)

Duffy: A brownie topped with raspberry cream cheese (she has a sweet tooth, after all). Cost: $6 each or a dozen for $65.

Everyone is bringing food to a party and youre trying to make an impression.This isnt the time to bring chips. What makes you stand out?

McBride: Hit them with a half dozen of each mini cupcake flavor. Theyre tiny roughly two bites so people can have a little bit of every flavor. Cost: $1.75 each, or $19 for a dozen.

Duffy:Roll up in style with key lime tarts. The tartlets are little, only about 3 inches. Cost: $7 for a single tart; a dozen costs $78.

Its your special persons birthday. You want your love to be expressed through this pastry. Which one screams I love you with each bite?

McBride:A very popular cake is the coconut cream. Its a coconut cake filled with coconut cream and vanilla frosting and finished with toasted coconut. For a fancier and more romantic dessert, she recommended the chocolate tart, which has a dense chocolate mousse center and seasonal fruit on the side.

Duffy:Go with the chocolate raspberry cake. Its chocolate cake with raspberry jam, covered in chocolate frosting and topped with dark chocolate ganache. Or, for a unique twist, try the mocha cake. Its chocolate cake with vanilla bean custard and espresso frosting.

Cost: Cakes are $32 for a 6-inch round cake; $48 for a 9-inch round cake. The tart is $36 for a 6-inch round; $54 for a 9-inch round.

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The perfect vegan pastry for 4 scenarios as picked by Make, Believe Bakery in Denver - The Denver Post

WHEN IS A VEGAN NOT A VEGAN? : Ecorazzi Ecorazzi Since the use of animal products in all manner of both common and obscure items is endemic, it is impossible to be a perfect vegan. In fact, even in a ... and more »

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WHEN IS A VEGAN NOT A VEGAN? : Ecorazzi - Ecorazzi

Jeanette Harris of Gluten Free Goat Bakery and Caf. All photos by Tom O'Connor.

People looking for fresh baked vegan and gluten-free options sometimes have to hunt a little harder to find what they want, but the Gluten Free Goat Bakery and Caf is making the search a bit easier.

The wholesale operation Jeanette Harris started two years ago is evolving with its first brick-and-mortar bakery and caf, now open on Penn Ave. in Garfield. The bakerys familiar doughnuts and brownies can be found along with a full counter service menu of brunch items, soups, salads and grab-and-go treats. Theres also Commonplace coffee and espresso, teas including a special blend from Tupelo Honey Teas available in the caf, and dining space.

Were calling it brunch all week, says Harris, referring to menu items that feature mostly breakfast and lunch options that will rotate weekly along with fresh items from the bakery. Both sweet and savory items are featured including Belgian Waffles made with real maple syrup and vegan butter, and the fun-sounding Falafel Waffles made with tabbouleh and tzatzikinot only delicious but alsovegan friendly.

Gluten Free Goat Bakery and Caf on Penn Ave. in Garfield.

Most items at Gluten Free Goat Bakery are vegan and some are vegetarian. A weekend-only menu features quiche, vegan benedict and veggie burgers. Salad options include fresh lentils with parsley and Mediterranean spices, and sesame noodles with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Apastry chef is on staff to handle special occasion cakes for weddings, birthdays and showers, all made right in the new commercial kitchen space.

Our wholesale customers have been our bread and butter, and Im so grateful they have helped me build my business to this point, says Harris. The bakery has more than 20 customers that will continue to be servicedtwice a week. The caf and new kitchen space provides anopportunity for the baker to grow and expand from what sheand her staff are already doing.

Harris has always loved to bake and cook, frequentlywatching PBS cooking shows with her sister when she was a kid. We were total food nerds she says.

After learning she was suffering from Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where wheat affects a persons ability to absorb nutrients properly, Harris had to learn how to bake all over again. I had to start from scratch because its a whole new science baking with gluten free flour she says noting, Its hard to get the texture and flavor right.

Fresh baked apple cider doughnuts.

According to Harris, most gluten-free supermarket products are simply loaded with sugar and tapioca starch to try to emulate the flavor of wheat. I try not to do that. I start with organic rice bran flour as a base and use evaporated cane juice instead of bleached sugars, and sometimes dates or agave for sweetness she explains.

Recently, Harris has been collaborating with Reed & Co. on some of her baking projects. The recently opened juice and health food shop in Lawrenceville provides her with leftover fruit pulp which she in turns uses as a sweetening agent. I recently made lemon-rosemary cookies using a pure carrot pulp and they were delicious, she says adding, Im going to experiment with some of his combo flavors to look for nice flavor profiles.

Harris is thrilled to be opening her first shop in Garfield. The neighborhood is great. The community is wonderfully diverse and engaged, says Harris adding, I dont want it to change too much; I like it the way it is and I hope to be an inclusive place that is affordable and welcoming.

The new bakery and caf is open Wednesday throughFriday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. For more information on the bakery and caf, see their website.

bakingcafegluten free goat bakerygluten-free

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Gluten Free Goat Bakery and Caf brings new vegan options to Garfield - NEXTpittsburgh

Meditation band, Ahl-e Qulab performs their unique blend of relaxation music in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Union. Ntchana Batoma, said meditative music is used as a way of being able to see the beauty and love in everything.

Victor Gomez

Victor Gomez

Meditation band, Ahl-e Qulab performs their unique blend of relaxation music in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Union. Ntchana Batoma, said meditative music is used as a way of being able to see the beauty and love in everything.

Loren Dickson, Entertainment Reporter February 28, 2017 Filed under News, Showcase

In a calm and relaxing atmosphere, people gathered around Ahl-e Qulub, a Persian meditation music group, Tuesday night to listen, enjoy and self-meditate to the melodies ringing throughout the University Ballroom.

Ahl-e Qulub member and senior English major Alex Hill told the audience the purpose of the music is not to come to an epiphany, but simply to come away from the experience with a light heart.

The reason we use music is because, although you can practice meditation by itself, no matter where you go in the worldmusic is something that resonates with people, Hill said.

For a few minutes, or for longer, you are kind of taken away from all of the day-to-day things that distract you, stress you out and put a damper on your life, he said.

Meditation brings you to the present moment, he said. Generally when we listen to music though, the effect of the song doesnt always sit within us in a permanent way.

Hill said music helps brings you to this desired present moment and gives you a positive meditative experience.

Meditation has many benefits, Hill said, and can help with issues such as anxiety and depression. Meditation slowly helps you overcome those things and they will gradually fade away. You will wake with more of the positive qualities that we all have inside of ourselves, he said.

Ahl-e Qulub then led the audience into a five-minute, silent meditation.

Audience members were suggested to think of one thing that brings them peace and happiness, to focus on that while breathing in, holding the breath for 30 seconds, and then slowly releasing the breath.

Following the meditation, Ahl-e Qulub began their musical meditation performance.

Along with soft singing melodies, the group used percussion instruments, including congas, djembes and dafs, to enhance the meditation experience.

The group sang several songs, and audience members were encouraged to partake in silent, personal meditation practice while the group performed.

At the conclusion of the last song, Ahl-e Qulub brought the audience into another silent, five-minute meditation.

Eastern Meditation Club member and freshman Spanish education major Pamela Padilla said meditation has helped her let go of paradigms.

Ive let go of all of the things I thought the world had to be; Im now content and happy with things that I wasnt before, Padilla said.

She said meditation can be based around religion, but it doesnt have to be.

Meditation can be geared with or without religion, she said. Its a moment to relax and calm yourself so you can get back into the real world in a stress-free manner.

Sometimes when meditating, negative thoughts can still enter your mind, but Padilla said the key to overcoming these negative thoughts is to recognize the thought and then let it go.

Although Tuesdays meditation gathering was a group effort, she said there are great things about meditating individually as well.

Sometimes being in a group creates the energy you need, she said. But being alone allows you to be fulfilled as an individual, and you can meditate for as long as you want. Its all about what you need in that moment.

Ahl-e Qulub member and Eastern alumna Ntchana Batoma said things in her life have really slowed down, in a good way, since practicing meditation.

Im a lot more likely now to find beauty in the small things. Im more likely to see love where I didnt see it before, she said. I think when you start to meditate and cultivate the love within yourself, what really starts to happen is you see that love, light and beauty within other people too.

She said she vividly remembers a time when she found the beauty in something so simple.

I remember sitting and watching a dandelion just sway in the wind, and it was just one of the most beautiful things, she said. Before in my more fast-paced life, I wouldnt have stopped to notice that.

There are many forms of meditation techniques, but Batoma said it is suggested to stick to one form in order to build consistency and see results.

Alex Hill also reminded the audience that Easterns Meditation Club is always welcome to anyone interested in learning more about the practice of meditation.

Loren Dickson can be reached at 581-2812 or ladickson@eiu.edu

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Traditions influence meditative melodies - The Daily Eastern News

Miche Braden Brings Bessie Smith to Life in The Devils Music: The Life and Blues of BessieSmith

As great performers of the past go, Bessie Smith would have to be among the most challenging to recreate. Her immensely powerful voice remains one of the most memorable instruments in early jazz, comparable in impact to the sound of Louis Armstrongs trumpet. And her personality? Again, like Pops, Bessie projected so many things, such a kaleidoscope of attitudes and emotions, from stone-cold cynicism of the lewdest sort to intense, ecstatic vulnerability, that she would seem impossible to capture through a contemporary performance. Although it is a great challenge, having seen Miche Braden in The Devils Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith at the Rubicon on Saturday, February 25, I know it can be done and done well. Bessie Smith lives again in this performance, in all her ragged, tipsy glory, and Braden sings the music with a perfect balance between purity andgrit.

Accompanied (and then some) by a three-piece jazz combo, Braden portrays Smith relaxing in a buffet flat, which was a private apartment where food, liquor, and other things were available after hours. Over frequent swigs from her collection of silver flasks, Smith reminisces about the hardships of life on the road, the excitement of making it big, her struggles with men, and her affairs with women. In lesser hands, the narrative might have become either condescending or obscure, but playwright Angelo Parra and director Joe Brancato know what they are doing, and the result is a clear and compelling story rife with enough specific detail to satisfy the most knowledgeable of historians. With its bawdy jokes and innuendo-laden horseplay, The Devils Music might not be for everyone, but like its subject, the great Bessie Smith, for many it will be just the thing to chase your troublesaway.

At the Rubicon Theatre, Sat., Feb. 25. Shows through Mar.12.

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'The Devil's Music' Roars at Rubicon - Santa Barbara Independent