A yoga teacher at Facebook says she was fired after she objected to a company employee using her cell phone in class.

How are you supposed to do this while checking your cell phone?

Yoga is about relaxation. It's about forgetting the corporate world and focusing on the corporeal world.

It's not about peering down at your cell phone and, say, updating your status or replying to an email.

Yet word reaches me of disturbing circumstances that appear to have occurred during a yoga class at Facebook.

You didn't think Facebook employees had time for yoga? Oh, come. They don't work that hard there. They're open, spiritual beings, don't forget. Well, mostly.

As the San Francisco Chronicle tells it, Alice Van Ness is a yoga instructor contracted to lead classes at Facebook's Fitness Center in Menlo Park. Or rather, was.

She has a principle in her teachings, one that is embraced by theaters, churches and libraries the world over: please turn off your cell phone.

It seems, though, that one Facebook employee couldn't quite stretch to this stricture. Indeed, she allegedly took her phone out at the beginning of the class and then again half way through.

Van Ness claims in a blog post that she offered a stern look of disapproval. No words, not even a hiss.

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Facebook yoga teacher objects to cell phone, gets fired

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune Published: July 11, 2012 Updated: July 11, 2012 - 12:00 AM

When yoga studio owner Francine Messano first organized "Yoga in the Park," a free one-hour class Sundays in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the event drew about 10 people.

That was about two years ago, and momentum has been building gradually through word of mouth. Now, roughly 150 people show up rain or shine well, unless there's a tropical storm.

Classes begin at 6 p.m. Sundays. Attendees stretch their hamstrings and quadriceps, rotating hips out, relaxing necks, rotating upper bodies.

Their view: Tampa's signature park, the Hillsborough River and the minarets atop Plant Hall. Everyone loves the location, Messano said.

"Looking up at the sky, there's something powerful with just moving with the energy of nature," she said.

Added Melissa Carroll, who typically teaches the class: "It takes yoga out of its typical realm in the studio and certainly makes it more accessible to people."

The class is open to people of all ages and skill levels. Sometimes children participate in poses. Sometimes people in their 80s will give yoga a shot.

"People don't feel intimidated," said Messano, who runs Yoga Downtown Tampa at 206 E. Cass St.

Ellen Dominic of Riverside Heights and her husband came for a recent class. Dominic said it was her sixth yoga class in the park.

Continue reading here:
Yoga enthusiasts take poses to the park

A yoga instructor reportedly lost her job teaching classes on Facebook's campus, because of her overly "strict" policy of insisting that students not use cellphoneswhile trying to stretch.

According the San Francisco Chronicle, until last monthAlice Van Ness worked for a "fitness contractor" teaching yoga classes to employees at Silicon Valley tech companies. She says that during a recent class on Facebook's Menlo Park campus, a Facebooker stretching in the middle of front row picked up her cellphone halfway through the class, even after the entire class was asked to turn them off at the beginning. Van Ness says that she didn't even admonish the student, but merely shot her a dirty look. After class, the students still complained to her bosses and two weeks later Van Ness was fired.

The company that contracted her said in her termination notice that it was a "pattern of strict behavior" that led to the dismissal, including aseparateincident when she asked a Cisco employee not to take photographs of a class in session. (She's a regular Professor Snape.) Thecompanybasicallyadmits that their goal is "to say yes wheneverpossible," which means clients can do whatever they want including ignoring the entire point of a yoga class as long they're paying for it.

Van Ness decided not to fight for her job after realizing that teaching tech people to relax is essentially an, um ... exercise in futility. People who take their cellphones into a yoga class don't want to be disconnected for even an hour and the people of Silicon Valley in particular are big fans of not playing by "the rules." If they want to check email while trying to pull off a warrior pose, Van Ness says that's their business from now on:

"The culture of these places is to let them do whatever they want," she said. "And I'm just not really OK withanarchy."

Image by Poulson's Photographyvia Shutterstock

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at dashiell at dashiellbennett dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.

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Yoga Teacher Fired for Wanting Facebook Employee to Turn Off Her Phone

When the former owner of a yoga studio in Powell pulled out recently, yoga teachers and students decided to combine their efforts to keep the studio operating.

Under its new name, the Yoga Center now is a cooperative venture spearheaded by five certified yoga instructors and eight students at the center.

A grand opening will take place at 5 p.m. Friday at the center, located 163 N. Clark St.

The students stepped up and wanted to keep it open, said Helena DeFina, one of the teachers at the center. We have each agreed to pay a certain amount each month to keep it open ... Its been a breath of new life.

They would like to extend that concept to make it a community-owned center. Theyre making it easy; anyone interested can join the center for $5. The first class is free; after that, classes cost $7 each, or $50 for 30 days of unlimited classes.

The center offers a pleasant, relaxing environment in which teachers and students can tune out the world while they focus on body, breath and mind.

To me, yoga brings in the breathing element, and that just sort of separates it from regular exercises, said Rowene Weems, one of the eight students who spearheaded the partnership.

Yoga is not a religion; its a system of health, DeFina said.

Its not just physical, she said. Whatever helps you calm the mind is what you need. (The Yoga Center) is an environment to help put you in the right place.

Thats why it was so important to keep the center open, she said.

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Yoga Center re-opens as community partnership

By Josh Robbins, Brian Schmitz and Megan Walsh, Orlando Sentinel 8:09 p.m. EST, July 9, 2012

Add two more names to the list of candidates for the Orlando Magic's head-coaching vacancy.

The Magic are expected to interview Utah Jazz assistant coach Jeff Hornacek and Phoenix Suns player development coach Lindsey Hunter soon.

Hornacek's candidacy was reported first by The Salt Lake Tribune. Hunter's candidacy previously was reported by WKMG.

The Magic also are considering four others, league sources have told the Orlando Sentinel.

They are: Golden State Warriors lead assistant coach Michael Malone, Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Jacque Vaughn and Quin Snyder, who has decided to leave his position as a Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach for a similar position with CSKA Moscow.

Hornacek and Shaw were at Amway Center on Monday for the 2012 AirTran Airways Orlando Pro Summer League.

Hornacek told the Sentinel that he would speak to the Magic if given the opportunity.

Shaw said he has been interviewed for the job.

Shaw said he is "playing the waiting game" and doesn't have any idea when the Magic will make a decision. Shaw played three seasons for the Magic during the mid-1990s.

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2 more candidates considered for Magic coaching job

A few weeks ago I was out clubbing with a friend, Sam, and a very attractive homosexual caught his eye.

Oh My God, hes SO beautiful, Sam said, admiring the boy.

Go and talk to him, I advised.

No, hes out of my league. And just like that Sam gave up. But an hour later the beautiful homosexual was making out with a guy whom one might describe as a hobbit! It got me thinking, if the attractive guy and the Hobbit hooked up, did that mean they were in the same league?

Sam went home that night confused and frustrated. If he had gone up to talk to the hot guy he may have had a chance, but because Sam believed he wasnt good enough for him based on looks, he would never know what could have been.

I told Sam that if he thinks he can only date guys who are the same attractiveness as him, it would really limit the number of people he could date. Who decides these leagues anyway? The actuality is, there are no leagues, just preferences.

If hed gone up to talk to the hot guy he may have had a chance, but Sam believed he wasnt good enough for him.

Sam was attracted to the guy at the club so much that it intimidated him. In fear of rejection and possibly a lack of self-esteem, Sam chose not to make a move. The attractive man however found the Hobbit attractive, so the two of them hooked up. Just because Sam didnt think the hot guy and the Hobbit were in the same league, didnt mean they thought they werent.

No one really knows what other peoples preference for a partner is until they get to know someone. Though with some brutally honest dating profiles out there stating only into fit young guys or not into [insert racial group here] or no one over 30, its easy to see how some people might feel dejected by the gay community and assume they are not many peoples type.

Just because some people dont fit the classically attractive stereotype that fed to us by the media, does not mean they are not in the same league as those who are considered as handsome. No matter who you are or what you look like, someone out there will find you attractive! I can say this confidently as I dont know any gay virgins.

Excerpt from:
Sex / Health / Fitness: "He's out of my league." What league?

VAIL, CO--(Marketwire -07/10/12)- Marathon legends, cycling champions, renowned researchers and the nation's leading health and fitness experts will be among the presenters at Living at Your Peak (www.livingatyourpeak.org), the nation's only gathering designed to help health-conscious individuals and influencers discover how to live longer, better and impact the wellbeing of their world. The Vail Symposium today announced the notable lineup of speakers for this inaugural event, to be held September 13-15, 2012, in Vail, Colo.

"Featuring one-on-one interactive sessions with recognized experts in an intimate setting, Living at Your Peak offers attendees the unique opportunity to share an exclusive, life-changing wellness experience," said Jamie Stone, Living at Your Peak event champion and a board member of the Vail Symposium, a non-profit organization responsible for Living at Your Peak.

Tennis legend and health advocate Martina Navratilova will keynote the event. Jenna Wolfe, co-anchor of NBC News' Sunday TODAY show, will emcee. Living at Your Peak's renowned list of presenters includes experts in the areas of fitness, nutrition, cognitive health and well-being, preventive medicine, longevity and stress, sports fitness and personal health.

Fitness

Nutrition

Cognitive Health and Well-Being

Preventive Medicine

Longevity and Stress

Sports Fitness

Personal Health

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Network With the Nation's Leading Health & Fitness Experts This Fall in Vail, Colo.

updated 9:10 AM EDT, Tue July 10, 2012

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher is struck in the eye by a flying bail during South Africa's game with Somerset

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has announced his retirement from international cricket after a freak accident during a tour match forced him to undergo surgery on a lacerated eye.

Boucher was taken to hospital for an operation after spinner Imran Tahir's dismissal of Somerset's Gemaal Hussain caused a bail to flick up into his eye when he was standing up to the wicket.

The 35-year-old, who has played in 147 Test matches for his country, will return to South Africa for further treatment as soon as he is able to travel.

Boucher spoke of an "uncertain recovery" with the wicketkeeper understood to be battling to save the sight in his left eye.

South African captain Graeme Smith confirmed Boucher's retirement from the international team and read out a statement made by the wicketkeeper to reporters at Somerset's ground in Taunton.

"It is with sadness, and in some pain, that I make this announcement," it read. "Due to the severity of my eye injury, I will not be able to play international cricket again.

"I had prepared for this UK tour as well, if not better than I have prepared for any tour in my career. I had never anticipated announcing my retirement now, but circumstances have dictated differently.

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Boucher announces retirement from international cricket after eye surgery

For the third straight year, the economic recovery has stalled in the spring after showing promise early in the year. Job creation is anemic. The stock market seems poised to do nothing--at least nothing good. Interest rates are still so low that lots of so-called "safe" investments are losing money. Whatever you call it, it's bad news for retirees and would-be retirees concerned about living on a fixed income. As economists restart their advisory machines, so are we. Here are the major realities of the new retirement, updated to reflect stronger doses of conservatism and defensive postures.

[See Top-Rated Mutual Funds by Category Ranked by U.S. News Mutual Fund Score.]

Continue employment. Continuing to work is the most recommended strategy of the new retirement. Lots of experts say 70 is the new 65. It keeps a paycheck coming, and if you're lucky, employer-provided health insurance, retirement-account contributions, and other benefits. And for each year you work, you cut a year off the time your retirement nest egg must last. Finally, continuing to work may also provide you the ability to delay claiming your Social Security benefits. Each year you can put off taking Social Security, your benefits will rise by about 8 percent. Benefits do not increase once you've turned 70.

Go back to school. Even if you leave the workforce, it may not be a permanent decision. Many people get bored in retirement and also miss the discretionary spending that a paycheck can provide. Or, you may simply want to embark on a new career. Whatever the reason, your enjoyment and workplace choices can be enhanced by going back to school. Community colleges have been a great bargain but many of them have been hit by budget cutbacks, so shop carefully when considering classes.

Social Security claiming strategy. As noted, each year you wait--from the earliest eligibility at age 62 until you turn 70--your Social Security benefits rise by about 8 percent. For most people, this means the benefits they would receive at age 62 would be only 75 percent of what they're entitled to if they wait until age 66, which is considered "full retirement age" for most baby boomers. And if you wait until age 70, that amount goes up to 132 percent of your age 66 benefits. These are real annual gains, because overall benefits are also adjusted each year to account for inflation. Of course, your health and family situation may argue for an early claiming age. Another key aspect of claiming strategy involves couples. It may be possible for one spouse to begin drawing half of the other spouse's Social Security benefits while still delaying his or her own claiming date (and thus enjoying those 8 percent annual benefit increases). Check out the Social Security Claiming Guide at Boston College's Center for Retirement Research.

[See Balancing the Retirement Equation.]

Taxes. The economic and political weight of enormous budget deficits makes it all but certain that your taxes will rise. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, it's looking more likely that two new related tax hikes for affluent taxpayers will occur next year: a 3.8 percent investment tax and an 0.9 percentage-point increase in the Medicare payroll tax. Both levies will apply to joint filers with adjusted gross incomes exceeding $250,000 a year ($200,000 for single filers). The 2-percentage point cut in Social Security payroll taxes will expire at the end of this year. And so will the biggest tax item, the Bush-era tax cuts. It is unlikely that all these tax changes will happen in their current form. But as you think about your future after-tax income needs, you should create some alternative budgets that feature 5-percent and even 10-percent cuts in your spending money. What would those trims do to you?

Health insurance. Medicare beneficiaries have been clear winners--to date--from health reform. While there are concerns about long-term cuts in some Medicare spending, the nearer-term impacts have been very positive for seniors. Prescription drug prices have been sharply cut for Medicare users. And a raft of free preventive health services was mandated by the law as well. Take advantage of these features.

Reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are worth a look, but it should be a very careful and deliberate one. These loans permit homeowners who are at least 62 to get out from under mortgage payments and remain in their homes. They do so by effectively using the owner's remaining equity in the home to make loan payments to a reverse mortgage lender. Reverse mortgages have been controversial and have carried high fees. Many experts see their growth as a sure thing, driven by rising numbers of seniors and studies showing big shortfalls in retirement nest eggs. And there is a federally insured program that has provided stability and credibility to the product. But these loans have not taken off and several lenders have left the business. The new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued a cautionary report on reverse mortgages.

[See Beware Playing 401(k) Catch-Up Close to Retirement.]

More:
8 Retirement Realities in a Stumbling Economy

Retirement might seem far in the distance for young workers, but a staggering 44% of 24-to-34 year olds don't know how to reach their retirement goals, whileonlya third have calculated how much money they will need to continue their current lifestyles. It's never too early to begin planning for your golden years. Here are five expert tips for young adults to get ahead:

1. Develop a clear plan.

Barrie Christman at Principal Financial Group encourages young workers to set a number goal for retirement funds to serve as a powerful motivation. To obtain adequate savings by age 65, she suggests saving enough to have a retirement account balance that is a third of your current employment income by age 30, but twice your then level of employment income byage 40.

Christman adds that most people need to save between 11% and 15% of their salaries over the course of their careers.

Online retirement planning calculators or help from a financial professional can be useful tools when evaluating your retirement goals.

2. Start saving today.

As a young investor, your investments could potentially experience massive growth thanks to compounding interest. Someone who starts saving later in life would have to contribute a lot more money to catch up.

Young workers should enroll in your company's 401(k) program. If your employer offers a match program, contribute enough to get the full match and take advantage of what is essentially "free money."

Certified Financial Planner Jon Ulin prods younger workers to save up to $5,000 a year in a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA as a first step if they do not have an employer-based savings plan or are self-employed.

According to Ulin, the principal contributions to a Roth IRA can be accessed penalty free at any time, potentially making it a more viable option for workers who need less of a tax incentive today.

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Five Steps Young People Should Take to Prepare for Retirement