Vietnam's Supreme Court has refused to commute the death sentence of a 24-year-old Thai woman who smuggled narcotics into the country, according to the Saigon Daily.

The Supreme People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City has upheld the lower court's death sentence against Preeyanooch Phuttharaksa, the newspaper said on its website.

Preeyanuch was arrested in October of last year after customs officials at Tan Son Nhut Airport found more than three kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden inside her luggage. Before her arrest, Preeyanuch had sneaked drugs into Vietnam twice, according to the indictment.

She was handed the death penalty on June 26 by the People's Court and she later appealed to a higher court.

Preeyanuch, a student, had confessed to having been paid 50,000 baht by a Nigerian drug gang to bring the drugs into Vietnam from the west African country of Benin. She had met her Nigerian contact originally at a mall in Bangkok.

Thai officials have said that even if the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, she could still petition the Vietnamese president for mercy. Vietnam executes criminals with lethal injections, which replaced the firing squad last year.

Statistics from the Thai Foreign Ministry show that about 100 Thai women are currently being detained for drug trafficking in several countries, including China, India, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil and South Africa.

Some of them had married citizens of African countries and were forced to become involved in the trans-national drug trade, officials say.

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Vietnam court upholds drug smuggler's death sentence

An appeals court in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday upheld a death sentence against a 23-year-old Thai student who was convicted of trafficking drugs into Vietnam in June.

At a hearing held by the Peoples Supreme Court in HCMC, the board of judges said they turned down Preeyanooch Phuttharaksas appeal for a sentence reduction because she hadtransported a huge amount of drugs into Vietnam, which was an extremely serious act.

The woman, a university student in Bangkok, was caught with more than three kilograms of methamphetamine when she arrived at HCMC's Tan Son Nhat International Airport on October 29 last year.

She was transporting the drugs for a person of unknown identity and referred to as Jom from Doha, Qatar, to Vietnam for 50,000 baht (US$1,600). The drugs were given to Phuttharaksa in Benin, before she flew to Moroccos Casablanca city, and then Doha.

According to the student, she also transported drugs for Jom on two different occasions in February and March that same year, for 4,000 baht ($130) and $300, respectively.

Vietnam has some of the worlds toughest drug laws. Those convicted of smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of meth face the death penalty.

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Vietnam court upholds death sentance against Thai girl

Vietnam's Supreme Court has refused to commute the death sentence of a 24-year-old Thai woman who had smuggled narcotics into the country, according to the Saigon Daily.

The Supreme People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City has upheld the lower court's death sentence against Preeyanooch Phuttharaksa, the newspaper said on its website.

Preeyanuch was arrested in October 2011 after customs officials at Tan Son Nhat Airport found more than three kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden inside her luggage.

Before her arrest, Preeyanuch had sneaked drugs into Vietnam twice, according to the indictment.

She was handed the death penalty on June 26 by the People's Court and she later appealed to a higher court.

Preeyanuch, a student, had confessed to having been paid 50,000 baht by a Nigerian drug gang to bring the drugs into Vietnam from the west African country of Benin. She had met her Nigerian contact originally at a mall in Bangkok.

Thai officials have said that even if the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, she could still petition the Vietnamese president for mercy.

Vietnam executes criminals with lethal injections, which replaced the firing squad last year.

Statistics from the Thai Foreign Ministry show that about 100 Thai women are currently being detained for drug trafficking in several countries, including China, India, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil and South Africa.

Some of them had married citizens of African countries and were forced to become involved in the trans-national drug trade, while others were willing to act as drug couriers due to the high pay, officials say.

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VN upholds death penalty for Thai

Do you know what the word yoga means? I don't. I'm guessing that other parents (and children) don't know either. Though, like me, they've probably heard many a celebrity rave about yoga's numerous benefits, and have a good enough idea of what goes on in a typical class.

Well, according to educator and yogini Michelle Ressa Aventajado, yoga means to "yoke," and to yoke means to bring together. But how do you make youngsters understand that concept and make them appreciate a yoga class? Aventajado, a U.S. certified YogaKids and Grounded Yoga instructor who's been teaching for almost six years now, relates, "When I explain it to the kids, it goes something like this: We practice yoga to bring our three selves together - our hearts, our minds, and our bodies. The heart in this statement can also mean their emotions. Basically, I just want the little ones to understand that how we feel emotionally can affect how we feel physically. I want them to make the mind-body connection and become more aware of themselves. That way, they can become more aware of others and eventually, become more aware of their environment. So in essence you can [almost] say that I want to facilitate awareness through their practice and play of yoga." Obviously, a yoga class for kids entails a lot more than just breathing in and out, and striking a pose.

Kids on the floor

A fun and sweeping kind of learning blend seamlessly in children's yoga class. "For the younger kids, we sing, dance, run, create, invent, balance, count, color, exercise, meditate, empower, and engage the child in every way. Yoga Kids learn through multiple intelligences. This addresses the whole child and addresses him in every way he learns. It's fun! It's super active. We play yoga games, take turns, and care for the environment. We talk a little, laugh a lot, and play. The bigger concepts of yoga are fed to the kids in smaller bites - little nibbles that they could understand. For instance, we talk to them about caring for the environment and putting "good" food in our bodies," Aventajado shares.

Class time is usually 45 minutes to one hour. Because younger yogis cannot stay still too long, their sessions are fast-paced and on the shorter side. Older students who have a greater understanding of things and don't need as much of a release, however, can last one hour; sometimes even longer if they choose. Nevertheless, all of her kiddie yoga classes stick to the same format: an introduction of the theme first, followed by a time to journal, a warm up, the middle of the class where most of the action occurs, and finally, the cool down or meditation.

To help her students lower their energy level and relax, Aventajado gives them a light massage, walk them through visual imagery, or play classical music. She's had kids as young as two-and-a-half and three years old join her class, and she believes that the earlier a child practices yoga, the better. "If children were given the tools to cope with life in a healthy way, with perspective, and make healthy choices, then they would certainly live a healthier lifestyle overall. With the childhood obesity rates and all the distractions that children are subjected to, introducing the concepts of yoga at an early age can be nothing but beneficial."

Benefits galore

Like yoga for grown-ups, kids' yoga has several advantages such as strengthening muscles and posture, increasing flexibility and balance, and enhancing concentration. Aventajado mentions that practicing yoga can likewise lead to a sense of well being inside and out, can boost self-esteem, and can help children sleep more soundly.

Marsha Wenig, YogaKids video and educational curriculum creator, attests that yoga can help offset the stress and pressure that today's kids face. "When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life's challenges with a little more ease," she says.

And isn't that what we all wish for, to have happy, healthy and well-adjusted kids?

Excerpt from:
Yippee for YOGA!

While summer boasts some of the biggest yoga events around the globe, this season offers a slew of luxurious boutique-style yoga retreat packages catering to varied interests, from Bosnian sightseeing to paddleboarding off Turks and Caicos to downward dogs with yoga rockstar Rodney Yee. Here is a selection of a few to consider.

Miraval Journeys: Bosnia and Croatia October 15-24

The famed Miraval Spa in Arizona is leading a 10-day adventure vacation in historic sites in Bosnia and Croatia, with early morning yoga and meditation sessions on the daily menu. $6,740 (most meals included). http://www.miravalresorts.com/journeys

Paddleboard/Core Fusion in Turks and Caicos Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands October 24-28

NYC-based Exhale and Core Fusion cofounders Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito are hosting this five-day retreat at their off-shore at the Hotel Gansevoort Turks + Caicos. Offerings include paddleboarding, barre classes, their signature Core Fusion yoga sessions, and 50-minute massages. $2,050-$2,900. http://www.exhalespa.com

Ojai Yoga Crib Ojai Valley, California, USA October 25-28

One of the few big yoga events happening this season, this event in Southern California draws thousands of yogis and elite teachers such as Erich Schiffman, Patricia Sullivan, Cyndi Lee, Scott Blossom, and Jason Crandell. Expect morning meditations, daytime workshops, and evening kirtan sessions. Tickets range from $200 to $575. http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/crib

Yoga Tango Retreat with Ashley Turner Buenos Aires, Argentina October 28-November 3

American yogi Ashley Turner is leading a group to Argentina to mix her sensual vinyasa yoga with wine tasting and tango lessons, with accommodations in the chic VAIN boutique hotel. $2,095-$2,595. http://www.ashleyturner.org or http://www.solyogatrips.com

Escape to Shape Lake Atitlan, Guatemala November 3-9

Excerpt from:
Top October-November yoga retreats around the globe

Larrissa Beckenbaugh and PJ Heffernan from PJ's Yoga Shala. Shayne Broadwell from Core Essence.

Published Oct. 6, 2012 at 3:22 p.m.

September was the official National Yoga Month, celebrating the Eastern tradition that the West and the rest of the world has enthusiastically embraced for its fitness, health and spiritual benefits.

Yoga "teachers" do not need to be certified, credentialed or attend any special "training" to instruct yoga. This may come as a surprise even to yoga teachers, who, when looking for a job, may be faced with the stipulation of "must be an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) through the Yoga Alliance." Often, these studios looking for teachers are "RYS Registered Yoga Schools" through the Yoga Alliance.

So, eager yoga students passionate about their practice and wanting to progress to teaching are almost forced to take (expensive) "teacher trainings" to qualify to be "certified" as a yoga teacher. They then have to register with the Yoga Alliance, paying a fee to maintain their "RYT" teacher status.

And the Yoga Alliance (a non-profit organization) is doing pretty well because of it, as their website financials state: "Yoga Alliance and YA+ have released their 2011 financials by posting them on this website. The combined organizations reported revenue of approximately $3.25 million in 2011, which represents a 37-percent increase over the $2.37 million generated in 2010. They also ended the year with a surplus of $78,806, which was down from $364,188 in 2010."

Wow. Looks like yoga is one of the only businesses thriving in this economy. (Yoga as a business. This, in and of itself, gets some yogis' mats all up in a bunch.)

On the other hand, how many yoga teachers do you know whose "revenue is up in the last year"? Yoga teachers are typically paid per class, from my experience, starting around $25 per class. This fluctuates where you are in the country, at gyms versus yoga studios and by the teacher's experience. Some studios pay per student in class (again, from my experience) around $5 per student.

Private yoga sessions can be anywhere from $35-$150 per session again depending on so many variables. Yoga teacher celebrities, of course, command much more. But, let's face it your average yogi taking a teacher training has a long way to go before they are "ommming" Sting and Madonna for hundreds of bucks per session.

There's money being made, but it may not be by your favorite yoga teacher unless that teacher owns a studio and is offering these "teacher trainings."

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Yoga "teacher training" is big business

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Brad Sugars, the Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching company, will present a free business coaching career opportunity event in Las Vegas at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Casino on Thursday, October 18th, 2012.

The live presentation will be offered at two different times: from 8AM to 11AM and from 4PM to 7PM.

There is no cost to register or attend this event. However, due to the current demand for business opportunity events, interested candidates must select their time and register online at: http://businesscoachingopp.eventbrite.com

"Over the last 19 years we've led the business coaching industry, but right now, with the economy the way it is, we need more Business Coaches," Sugars said.

ActionCOACH is headquartered in Las Vegas, and Sugars will present the opportunity here before he hits the road and holds similar events all over the country.

"Today, there are more business owners and CEOs needing coaching than ever before and we want to present this opportunity to local candidates here in Las Vegas," he said.

"Our clients get great results meaning we make them money.In fact, research shows we make them an extra $10.80 in bottom line profit for every dollar they spend with us, and that means they stay so for us to grow and take on more clients, we need more coaches. I'm looking for the 'best of best' to join our growing team of Business Coaches in Las Vegas."

Sugars and his company, ActionCOACH, have won several major international business awards and he is also the author of 15 books on business.

Sugars is looking for business savvy and results-driven individuals who can follow a systemized path to success in the Las Vegas valley.

According to Sugars, the top Business Coaches tend to be:

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ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars Announces a Free Business Coaching Career Opportunity Event in Las Vegas

The statue of Jody Conradt unveiled Friday inside the Erwin Center honors the countless women who have achieved success during her 36 years at the University of Texas, the legendary basketball coach told the crowd gathered for the dedication ceremony.

Conradt won 900 games and the 1986 NCAA championship as the Texas womens coach, her tenure stretching from 1976 to 2007. She coached 28 players who went on to play professionally, and four who competed at the Olympics. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.

The 71-year-old Conradt has received many honors, but this was one different. She watched with curious eyes Friday afternoon as a seven-foot, 600-pound bronze statue of the Texas icon was unveiled before friends and family on the arenas concourse.

The statue, created by New Jersey-based artist Brian Hanlon, shows Conradt flashing the Hook em Horns hand signal.

About 600 people, including former Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt, crowded into the Lone Star Room at the Erwin Center for the hour-long ceremony. Conradt joined the late congresswoman and civil rights champion Barbara Jordan as the only women to be honored with statues on the UT campus.

This statue represents many things, and it comes on the 40th anniversary of Title IX, which was significant for all women, not just women in sports, Conradt said. This law has given tremendous opportunities you never could have imagined before. I hope every young woman will feel a sense of pride that this university values their commitment and talent. Its one of the most dramatic statements a university can make.

Title IX, signed in law by President Nixon in 1972, paved the way for Conradt and women to prosper in a field previously dominated by men. One of the first milestones came when the university created the department of womens athletics in 1975.

Conradt made the crowd roar with laughter when she spoke about a headline in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram announcing her hiring at Texas: Woman hired at man-sized salary.

And that was all of $17,000, Conradt said.

Also in 1975, Texas hired a driven Donna Lopiano as the departments first athletics director. Conradt described her longtime friend and associate as the pushiest Yankee ever to come to the university, an unlikely person to come to a conservative place.

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Statute of Longhorn coaching legend Conradt unveiled inside Erwin Center

It could not have been a better start to life as an A-League coach for John Aloisi.

Outfoxing the A-League's best credentialled coach with a perfectly employed battle plan, and upsetting the competition's biggest club and crosstown rivals in front of a huge crowd.

Aloisi's Melbourne Heart left Etihad Stadium on Friday night with three well-deserved points - the 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory the club's first opening round win in their three-season history - and a swagger in their step.

Few had considered Heart and their rookie coach as serious finals hopes.

They'll be reconsidering after Aloisi's clear tactical nous was executed to the letter by his players, some of whom are clearly revitalised under the former Socceroo.

Aloisi said the Heart had heavily rehearsed a high pressing game, hoping to stifle Victory coach Ange Postecoglou's noted passing style.

"The players were getting sick of it at training. Players like to touch the ball and feel the ball, but we had to make sure we did it properly," Aloisi said.

"It was important we won our first game, because the last two years we've started slowly. We needed to get off to winning ways.

"Then the players get confidence from a win, and a good performance. We played well, but we know we can still improve a lot more."

Attacker David Williams, who had a less than impressive first season at Heart, was dangerous throughout with six shots on goal including scoring the opener on 14 minutes.

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Aloisi starts coaching career in style

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqVPbKafsAs

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Carla loses weight with Jari Love's Get RIPPED! Fitness Training! - Video