Dr. Terri Kennedy: Yoga at the Pentagon With Tao Porchon-Lynch
Posted: June 29, 2012 at 6:11 am
On June 8, 2012, I had the delight of joining 93-year-old yoga master Tao Porchon-Lynch, who was recently named "Oldest Yoga Teacher" by Guinness World Records, as she taught yoga at the Pentagon.
It was incredible seeing 80 Department of Defense personnel -- service members and civilians -- in various yoga poses, from warriors to king dancers, and then flowing through a series of sun salutations to Tao's signature tango music. At one point, I said to myself, "This is pretty cool. I'm doing yoga at the Pentagon!" The final relaxation was especially poignant. I got a deep sense that these folks particularly needed and deserved those moments of personal peace.
At the end of the yoga session, I moderated a discussion on Tao's colorful life, as I've done many times before. There was great interest in Tao's time with Gandhi and her work in the French Resistance during World War II, as well as her peacemaking around the world, such as Yoga for Peace in Israel in 1995 and her more recent appearance at the 2011 Newark Peace Education Summit with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.
During the Q and A, one woman asked why Tao agreed to teach yoga to a group of people who are focused on war and conflict. In her very humble manner, Tao explained that she was simply honored to be there among those who work tirelessly to protect our security. She explained how yoga plays a role in peacemaking, which is the ultimate goal for those in our military. In her view, peace is really about atonement. She broke down the word atonement into "at-one-ment," or oneness. Tao's perspective is that we all have the same breath inside us and yoga brings us closer to that realization.
For me, the day epitomized the essence of yoga in that it was about unity. All of the people in the group had very important "day jobs." Many had to be given permission to take time to be in the class. Yet, they came together, in great numbers, to share in the presence and practice of peace. If all of our leaders -- anyone making critical decisions affecting other people's lives -- would take time every day to experience even a few moments of stillness, I believe our world would be a better place. As the Dalai Lama has said, "World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not the absence of violence. Peace is the manifestation of human compassion."
Here's a peek into Yoga at the Pentagon with Tao Porchon-Lynch.
Yoga at the Pentagon
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Yoga at the Pentagon with 93-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch -- Lotus Stretch
Yoga at the Pentagon with 93-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch -- Lotus Stretch
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Dr. Terri Kennedy: Yoga at the Pentagon With Tao Porchon-Lynch
Burn More Calories by Performing Water Yoga
Posted: at 6:11 am
Performing yoga is a great way to burn calories, but did you know that you can get even more benefits by participating in water yoga? Aqua yoga is both enjoyable and healthy, and it will keep you cool. In addition, this form of exercise is excellent for those with arthritis and other health conditions who cannot take part in regular yoga. I will highlight the benefits of water yoga and the many poses (asanas) that can be performed in the pool.
Benefits of water yoga
Performing yoga in the water has many benefits, including the following:
Therapeutic properties of aqua yoga
Water yoga is therapeutic in the following ways:
Water yoga poses (asanas)
Many asanas are ideal for performing in the water, including the following:
Most of these poses take advantage of the side of the pool by having you hold onto it with one or both hands.
Aqua yoga on video
If you want to see for yourself what water yoga looks like, watch one or all of the following videos:
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Burn More Calories by Performing Water Yoga
Kathy Smith – Health and Fitness Expert – Video
Posted: June 28, 2012 at 10:16 pm
5PM WED HEALTH AND FITNESS COUNCIL – Video
Posted: at 10:16 pm
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5PM WED HEALTH AND FITNESS COUNCIL - Video
Health and Fitness Journey! Join Me! – Video
Posted: at 10:16 pm
Kristi Yamaguchi Launches Fitness Apparel Line, And 10 Other Olympians Who Went From Gold Medalist To Health …
Posted: at 10:16 pm
They may be well known for setting records on the track or in the pool, but many of the U.S. top Olympians have a passion for health and fitness that goes above and beyond their sport of choice.
Case in point: This week, Kristi Yamaguchi, world-famous figure skater and gold-medal winner at the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games announced the launch of her new line of fitness apparel called Tsu.ya, which will include yoga pants, tanks and jackets, Well + Good reported.
"I designed the line so that as a busy woman, you can get your workout in but also go run errands, go to the grocery store, and have lunch with friends -- but still look good and feel good, she told the site.
A number of her fellow American gold-medal winners have also found their niche in the health-and-fitness business world. Heres a collection of a few -- who would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments below!
Both Williams sisters have active professional lives off the tennis court, but Venus is the one who puts fitness at the forefront, with her line of activewear and tennis apparel, EleVen. The gold-medal winner (one from Beijing and two from Sydney) told the LA Times: "I had a lot of fun doing designs on the court which were unprecedented for sports. But I wanted to do something that will be available to everyone that's my vision of sportswear."
The basketball great earned his gold medal at the 1992 games in Barcelona. While his company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, has invested in a number of projects over the years, his biggest connection to the fitness world was a partnership with fitness-club chain 24 Hour Fitness for a specially-branded string of "signature clubs," according to the company's website, with emphasis on community and making fitness a way of life.
It's yet to be seen if Phelps will pull off a stunning performance in London to match his eight gold medals from the 2008 Beijing games (he's also got six from Athens in 2004). He has since launched a swimming school for all ages and abilities, and told The Huffington Post he plans to be very involved there after retiring.
The first woman ever to win the Olympic Marathon (the event was held for the first time in Los Angeles in 1984), Samuelson (who still runs -- and sets records) now conducts running and fitness clinics and acts as coach and adviser to cross-country and long-distance runners, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The all-star sprinter, with gold medals from 2000, 1996 and 1992, has since opened an athletic training facility in Texas, which bills itself on its website as the official training partner of the Dallas Cowboys, FC Dallas and the Dallas Stars.
The figure skater, who won gold in Innsbruck in 1976, has put her on-ice talents to good use at a skating program for kids with disabilities.
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Kristi Yamaguchi Launches Fitness Apparel Line, And 10 Other Olympians Who Went From Gold Medalist To Health ...
Vertical Fitness Group Announces Several Promotions With New "Xperience Fitness" Health Clubs
Posted: at 10:16 pm
APPLETON, Wis., June 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vertical Fitness Group (VFG) has announced several promotions as part of the recent conversion of Gold's Gyms to their new Xperience Fitness (www.myxperiencefitness.com) brand.
The appointments are being made to coincide with the company's planned expansion. VFG presently operates 15 Xperience Fitness health clubs throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Jon Barton, a partner with VFG, announced the following promotions:
Fitness as it should be
"Xperience Fitness is all about fitness as it should be -- on your terms," said Barton. "No contracts. No gimmicks. Just fair and honest pricing and great facilities with topnotch amenities. We are built around a singular unifying concept: We believe that by actively participating in a fitness lifestyle -- or "experiencing fitness" -- you will be affected in a way that allows you to get greater joy out of all the important moments in your life.
"Our facilities are topnotch and our equipment and amenities among the best," said Barton. Most Xperience Fitness gyms feature basketball and swimming.
Not your grandfather's gym
"Xperience Fitness promises to our members to be a future-leaning, technology-facing fitness center built for 2012 and beyond," said Barton. "In addition to our low rates ($9.99 per month) and no long-term contractual commitments, we will offer fast, technology-based procedures with self-managed capabilities so members have the ability to direct their own fitness experience if they so choose. We have developed tools that deliver on the promise to help our members lead an active lifestyle and bring the experience with them wherever they go."
The Xperience Fitness website -- http://www.myxperiencefitness.com-- serves as a member "user manual" offering relevant content, expert advice and the ability for members to track fitness progress through a Member Profile, make online payments, and participate in helpful live chats.
Joining the IHRSA Passport Program
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Vertical Fitness Group Announces Several Promotions With New "Xperience Fitness" Health Clubs
Planning for Retirement: How Men and Women Differ
Posted: at 10:16 pm
The Boomer is a column written for adults nearing retirement age and those already in their golden years. It will also promote reader interaction by posting e-mail responses and answering reader questions. E-mail your questions or topic ideas to thefoxboomer@gmail.com.
When I was a kid and I wanted something, I went straight to my mom. I knew that even if her first answer was no, I could sometimes nag her enough that she would give in to my request. However, when her response was to go ask my father, that usually sent me running to my room crying because there was no nagging dad--when he said no, that was it.
In all families, moms and dads take on different roles when it comes to discipline, managing finances and schedule planning.
When it comes to retirement planning and lending money, men and women take different approaches and hold different views. Ameriprise Financial recently conducted a survey that explored the differences in how baby boomer men and women approach financial conversations and support family members. I reached out to Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial, to find out the differences and their impact on financial planning. Heres what she had to say:
Boomer: The survey finds boomer men are more optimistic about their financial future than women. Why the substantial difference and what do you feel is the reason for the significant drop in these numbers since 2007?
de Baca: What we found in a 2011 report was that more men are prepared for retirement than women, which may contribute to them also feeling more optimistic about it . Theyre more likely to say they have set money aside, and determined the amount of income theyll need in retirement. So in general, men may have more retirement savings socked away and more of a financial plan in place than women do.
Men are also less likely to have exited the workforce to stay at home with children or aging parents, giving them more opportunity to save in many circumstances. The overall level of optimism has declined significantly among both sexes since 2007, which isnt surprised due to the financial crisis and recession.
Boomer: What do you think the reason is that moms are more open to discuss money and finances with their families?
de Baca: Women may be used to having day-to-day discussions with their families about expenses, which could pave the way for more weighty financial conversations. Women could also be talking more about money because they are aware that they may outlive their spouse, and there's an element of financial responsibility to pass along to family members.
Its interesting to note that while moms are more comfortable discussing money issues with their kids in particular their daughters it can still be a stressful discussion. In fact, the daughters of boomers are much more likely than men to say that discussing money is very or somewhat likely to cause tension or an argument in their family (58% vs. 41%).
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Planning for Retirement: How Men and Women Differ
Newport’s ‘My Forecast’ Dramatically Boosts Employees’ Retirement Readiness
Posted: at 10:16 pm
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Newport Group, a leading national provider of retirement and executive benefit plans, announced that its My Forecast retirement readiness service is having a dramatic impact on employees retirement account balances, contribution amounts and overall engagement with their plans.
My Forecast allows employees enrolled in Newport retirement plans to instantly see their account balances, retirement income targets, and current projections, and shows them how to easily make adjustments to help them reach their goals. The feature was first introduced in October of 2011, and has been adopted by over 300 Newport plan sponsors to date.
In just a few months, My Forecast has already produced some exciting results, said Dennis Sain, Newports Senior Vice President, Retirement Services. On average, plan participants who use it have seen their account balances grow 40% more than those whose plans dont yet feature My Forecast. These participants are increasing their contributions to their plans. And they access their accounts 25% more often, performing nearly twice as many transactions on the site.
Unlike many other retirement planning tools, My Forecast is placed front and center on the participant website. Upon login to the site, plan participants see an immediate graphical representation of how their contributions support their desired retirement income. Should there be a gap, interactive tools are available to help them get back on track. The feature also differs from other services by allowing employees to add outside financial accounts, plans and assetsgiving them the most comprehensive snapshot possible of their total retirement readiness.
We believe financial services websites should be easy to use, relevant to a persons complete financial picture, and results-oriented, and we have an ambitious strategy underway to redefine Newports online participant experience accordingly, said Eric Brickman, Senior Vice President, Strategic Solutions Group. My Forecast will continue to be an integral part of this strategy, and were pleased to see this approach is already making a real, tangible difference in personal engagement and retirement savings results.
About The Newport Group
Founded in 1984, The Newport Group is a leading retirement services firmspecializing in the creative design and administration of retirement and executive benefit plans. Through its innovative and customized solutions, Newport is uniquely positioned to satisfy the distinct financial needs of employers and employees, and has done so for hundreds of the countrys largest and best-known companies.
Newport is headquartered in Heathrow (Orlando) FL, with service centers in Charlotte NC, Dallas TX, Greensboro NC, La Crosse WI, Orlando, FL, Richmond VA, and St. Petersburg FL. Newport also has offices in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York NY, San Francisco, and St. Louis MO. For more information, visit http://www.newportgroup.com.
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Newport’s ‘My Forecast’ Dramatically Boosts Employees’ Retirement Readiness
BMO Retirement Services Appoints Matt Smith as Director of Retirement Sales and Strategy
Posted: at 10:16 pm
MILWAUKEE, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BMO Retirement Services, a part of BMO Global Asset Management, has appointed Matt Smith as Director of Retirement Sales and Strategy. Mr. Smith reports to Phil Enochs, Managing Director and Head of Relationship Management for BMO Global Asset Management.
In this newly-created position, Mr. Smith is responsible for building and further defining the firm's holistic approach to providing solutions to the U.S. retirement plan market. This extends to providing thought leadership on critical retirement issues in concert with the renowned BMO Retirement Institute.
According to Mr. Enochs, "Matt is uniquely qualified to lead this dual initiative given his nearly three decades of achievement in the retirement plan industry as a sales manager, business strategist, investment consultant and author."
Mr. Enochs added, "Matt's career-long commitment to make retirement readiness a reality for millions of 401(k) and other DC participants aligns perfectly with our mission to improve retirement security for people. His extensive experience addressing the concerns of plan sponsors, participants and plan advisors adds depth and dimension to BMO's already-strong organization."
Prior to joining BMO Retirement Services, Mr. Smith was Senior Vice President, National DC Practice Leader of Aon Consulting in Seattle. Previously, he was Managing Director of Retirement for Russell Investment Group, General Manager, Retirement Services at ADP, and DC Consultant for Buck Consultants.
Mr. Smith is the author of Managing Your Firm's 401(k) Plan: A Complete Roadmap to Managing Today's Retirement Plan. He is also the co-author of The Retirement Plan Solution: The Reinvention of Defined Contribution and Someday Rich: Planning for Sustainable Tomorrows Today. All three are published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
He earned a Bachelors degree from the University of Kansas.
About BMO Retirement Services BMO Retirement Services is a part of BMO Global Asset Management and a division of the Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A., offering products and services through various affiliates of BMO Financial Group.
Established in 1973, BMO Global Asset Management is an integral part of BMO Financial Group, a fully-diversified financial services organization. As of April 30, 2012, BMO Global Asset Management oversaw more than $110 billion in assets under management for institutional and high-net-worth clients and the BMO family of mutual funds.
A Midwest-based registered investment advisor with a 40-year track record of fiduciary service, BMO Global Asset Management in the U.S. is organized into four centers of excellence, each of which is a vital and respected part of the global offering: BMO Asset Management U.S., BMO Funds, BMO Retirement Services and BMO Trust and Custody Services.
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BMO Retirement Services Appoints Matt Smith as Director of Retirement Sales and Strategy