Students lined up throughout the studio room of Sweat and Soul Yoga and prepared for their routine class. Instead of the traditional om chant, however, Snoop Doggs tunes fill the room.

While it seems weird, whats really cool about it is that the hip-hop music is really deep, and the beats are really strong and allow people to feel good, said Lynn Begier, a yoga expert and and the founder of both Sweat and Soul Yoga and Back Bay Yoga Studio. Sometimes people dont get it because its really experiential. Then they take it. and they are like, wow, theres something really connecting and powerful to the class.

A number of Boston University students have said that this upbeat twist on yoga helps them enjoy the activity more.

I always get bored because usually [studios] put up music thats like chanting or something, and its fun to focus on something else and go back and forth or dance while youre listening to Snoop Dogg, said Rachel Franklin, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.

For Begier, who first opened a yoga studio in Back Bay 11 years ago, there is nothing contradictory about yoga and hip-hop.

When my life felt funky, I started doing my normal yoga practice to this [hip-hop] music, she said. On days I felt so depressed or bored, I would practice to everything from Madonna to Britney Spears greatest hits and I would feel so transformed.

All-Ages Activity

Begier said that very few people during her college days even knew about yoga and that she has noticed an increasing trend in the activity.

Every gym has yoga now, she said. When I opened up Back Bay yoga which was my original studio, 11 years ago, we were really the only studio in Boston. Now a lot of people are doing yoga, and it is spread out and segmented, you dont have to be in the go to do yoga.

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Yoga: Stretching the body, mind and soul

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 | 2:24 p.m. CDT; updated 2:55 p.m. CDT, Wednesday, October 3, 2012

COLUMBIA Robin Crouch is 7 years old and has already been practicing yoga for four years.

Her mom, Shannon Hensley, said she likes the non-competitive aspect of the practice and believes it keeps her daughter centered.

When Robin is upset, Hensley said the two of them will practice relaxation breathing techniques.

"This really calms Robin down," Hensley said.

Robin takes classes with Susan Mathis, a former early childhood educator who owns both alleyCat Yoga and Yoga to Grow.

Mathis, 44,began Yoga to Grow in 2006 to provide a way for kids to feel strong and powerful and to connect to their own bodies. Classes in the studio at 23 S. Fourth St. are arranged by age group, from infants to teens, and geared to their developmental stages.

Mathis adapted her passion for yoga to children by developing classes around songs, stories and games. She teaches them classic poses like dog and frog, as well as poses designed for children, such as rainbow (side plank for adults) and polar bear (a modified child's pose).

In each class, she incorporates play, imagination, breathing, laughter and relaxation.

"As I began to get more and more into practicing yoga myself, I had a lot of interest in seeing the benefits that the practice of yoga could have for kids," she said.

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Yoga to Grow follows national trend in offering yoga to children

For immediate release

Hindus disappointed at Church of England banning yoga for pensioners

Hindus are disheartened over a church affiliated to Church of England banning yoga in its premises.

According to reports, St. Andrew's Church and Centre, opened in 1999 in Dibden Purlieu, banned an 81 years old Christian instructor Eileen Meegan who is great-grandmother of five, from teaching yoga in the church hall, claiming that it was against the churchs religion and dangerous for the mind. doing yoga has enhanced my faith as a Christian, Meegan was quoted as saying and termed churchs action as ignorance.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, yoga was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. One could still practice ones respective faith and do yoga. Yoga would rather help one in achieving ones spiritual goals in whatever religion one believed in. It was not at odds with any faith and rather made one spiritually healthier.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged the immediate intervention of the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams in this matter to permit the yoga classes in St. Andrew's to bring goodwill among the communities.

Rajan Zed stated that yoga, referred as a living fossil whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, was a mental and physical discipline handed down from one guru to next, for everybody to share and benefit from. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical. It was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added.

Zed pointed out that an Episcopal News Service article titled Yoga for Episcopalians a healing discipline in the past said: Yoga can teach us to improve our posture, or sharpen our focus during Mass. St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Washington (DC) has offered quality yoga instruction since 1978 emphasizing effective breathing, mastery of asanas (comfortably held postures), relaxation, positive thinking, and meditation as elements of healthy spiritual living that promote happiness and true knowledge of self. St. Davids Episcopal Church in Wayne (Pennsylvania) offered in the past A Quiet Morning of Yoga and Centering Prayer which included 30 minutes in a guided meditation for a deep, conscious rest. It also offered Yoga with Spirit vigorous yoga classes. Episcopal Church was derived from Church of England.

Rajan Zed argued that it was simply un-Christian to refuse services to a yoga instructor who was trying to help the pensioners de-stress, calm their minds and improve their flexibility through yoga. Love and compassion was the hallmark of Christian ethics. Gospel According to John 13: 34 said: Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

Zed stresses that in our shared pursuit for the truth; we can learn from one another and thus can arrive nearer to the truth. Dialogue may help us vanquish the stereotypes, prejudices, caricatures, etc., passed on to us from previous generations, Zed adds.

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Hindus disappointed at Church of England banning yoga

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Gaiam, Inc., the leading distributor of lifestyle media and fitness accessories, today announced the expansion of its Gaiam Sol Collection, Gaiam's professional quality yoga accessory line. This premium collection, developed by yogis for yogis, is crafted from responsibly sourced materials, and an eye toward mindful design and quality construction.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121003/NY85805 )

"We are thrilled to expand Gaiam's Sol Collection beyond just mats to now offer a variety of other quality yoga accessories," says Bill Sondheim, President of Gaiam. "Each of the Sol products is designed to be used in conjunction with one another to deliver all the tools necessary to enhance your yoga practice."

The Sol Collection will feature the following new products:

In addition to these new products, the Sol Collection continues to feature premium quality yoga mats that meet the technical demands of even the most advanced yoga practitioners and professionals. All made from 100% natural rubber, these mats offer slip-resistance, superior cushioning, and excellent traction. With the new line, the mats are now grouped into four separate collections, which are the English translations of their Sanskrit names reflecting the spirit and tradition of the practice they embody.

Every mat from the Sol Collection comes with the Gaiam Lifetime Mat Guarantee. Any registered Gaiam Sol mat that wears out will be replaced with the same or a comparable mat at no charge.

For more information, please visit http://www.gaiam.com/gaiamsol.

About GAIAMGaiam, Inc. (GAIA) is a leading producer and marketer of lifestyle media and fitness accessories. With a wide distribution network that consists of over 60,000 retail doors, close to 15,000 stores within stores, 5,600 media category management locations, a digital distribution platform and more than 10 million direct customers, Gaiam is dedicated to providing solutions for healthy and eco-conscious living. The company dominates the health and wellness category and releases non-theatrical programming focused on family entertainment and conscious media. For more information about Gaiam, please visit http://www.gaiam.com or call 1.800.869.3603.

Media Contact:Lauren Aboulessan Krupp Kommunications (212) 886-6710 LAboulessan@kruppnyc.com

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Gaiam Expands Gaiam Sol Yoga Accessory Line

Holistic Learning Centers makes available free life coaching products every month as incentive for as many people as possible to spread the word about their global educational campaign to achieve the critical mass necessary to Save TheHumans

Forked Rivers, NJ (PRWEB) October 03, 2012

In order to spread the word about the existence of and power behind critical mass, HLC offers a different, free life coaching product for 48 hours, from midnight on the first of each month until midnight on the second in exchange for help spreading the word.

HLC has coined this exchange the Inner Net of One Abundance Exchange. To get the free products one must agree to forward the Save TheHumans eBook to as many people as possible and like HLCs Life Coaching school on Facebook in order to remain in community on the internet so that the critical mass on the inner net can begin to take root.

The Save TheHumans pledge is: I commit to respond with ability to help remove suffering from the world. I grok that the first step to removing suffering from the world is to successful remove my own suffering first, because I can only give away what is inside of me.

HLC extends this offer to all Independent life coaches as well as to all those willing to take action to be part of the global solution.

Sabrina Rose Holistic Learning Center 888-452-0878 x 107 Email Information

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Professional Life Coaching School, Holistic Learning Centers Issues a Global Call to Action to Become Part of an ...

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS4TR6JPins

03-10-2012 08:52 As a medical student, 23 year old Bethan John knew the effects university life was having on her health and could clearly see it on her waistline. Late-night kebabs and boozy parties took her weight up to 14st 7lb and a dress size 18. But when she was offered a dream summer job at Disney World in Florida it was the incentive she needed to shed an incredible 4st. Find out how she did it and listen to her top weight loss tips in the Rosemary Conley success story video For more FREE inspirational weight loss stories, healthy recipes, diet, fitness and well being videos visit

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Bethan John - lost 4 stone with Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness - Video

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02-10-2012 22:13 Please click on my fan page link 🙂 Hello ! how are you? I am on here to try to help everyone eat better and exercise If you need any help with that email me or call 1 (607) 483-8445 please do notforget to eat raw organic fruit (focusing on the fruit) vegetables (especially dark leafy greens) nuts and seeds and exercise two hours or two miles (walking) a day everyday huge hugs remember you are loved huge hugs dedicating all my videos to my mom who passed on to Heaven April 24, 2012 She will be enormously missed. my heart is happy my soul is free my love for you still stands strong freedom is the answer from far beyond time will change people will see that the answer is nature and natural and that life is to be clean to be happier molding one person at a time will make a happier place for us all. no one has all the answers but the key is to try and be what you were meant to be in the first place stand for what you believe in and go after it full circle love binds us and entwines us as one.... Happiness can be achieved if you follow your chosen dream love JuneMarie P. Liddy

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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health just a few Tuesday Videos - Video

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01-10-2012 23:23 Visit Premier Health and Fitness Centre today! No Contracts. No Joining Fees. Over 70 Group Classes a week! Only $17.95 per week. Fantastic crèche facilities. Conveniently located on Pittwater Rd, Brookevale and plenty of parking available. What other reasons do you need?

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Premier Health and Fitness Centre Welcome You! - Video

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03-10-2012 00:32 Michael Jai White is an Film Actor and famous Martial Artist. MCCN asked him about health and fitness.

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MCCN interviews Michael Jai White About Health and Fitness - Video

Trying something new keeps you motivated to exercise. But which current fitness craze is worth your time, money, and energy? Real Simple asked health experts to weigh in.

TRX Suspension TrainerThe trend, explained: This piece of workout equipment was developed by a Navy SEAL as a way to stay fit in the field. The TRX, made up of nylon straps and handles, anchors over a door or some other stationary object and adjusts to different heights so you can do head-to-toe movespush-ups, lunges, pull-upsusing your body weight. The equipment costs about $200 (trxtraining.com) and comes with how-to DVDs. Fans say that the TRX engages more muscles than the same moves performed on solid ground.

Expert opinion: The main benefit of using the TRX is that it forces you to use your core to stabilize yourself, says Scarsdale, N.Y.based exercise physiologist Brad Schoenfeld, the author of Women's Home Workout Bible. For example, to do a plank pose on the ground, you only have to keep your body straight and lifted, using your abdominals for support. For a plank pose with the TRX, in which your ankles are held up by the nylon straps, you need to engage your chest, back, shoulders, and abdominals to ensure that you dont fall over.

The TRX is also convenient, because you can rig it up at home and adjust your positioning to increase or decrease the difficulty level, says Schoenfeld.

The bottom line: The TRX is worth it for almost anyone, especially for people who want a challenging way to exercise different muscle groups but may not want to sign up for a gym membership. _______________________________________________

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High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)The trend, explained: HIIT turns a regular cardio workout into a super-efficient one: You alternate between 20- to 30-second bursts of all-out effort and easier recovery periods. HIIT works with any cardio activity, including walking, running outdoors, and using the elliptical or stair-climber. The approach is said to strengthen the heart, the lungs, and large muscles, and devotees love it because of its purported fat-burning abilities. Plus, HIIT workouts are short20 to 30 minutes on average. To try it: Start with a slow five-minute warm-up, then increase your pace (or resistance or incline) until youre breathing heavily. Keep going for 30 seconds, then drop your pace, resistance, or incline down for two to four minutes; repeat three to four times. Because of the intensity, most experts recommend HIIT a maximum of three times a week.

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Best Fitness Trends to Try