Since Mlive.com on Tuesday reported the lengthy sentence that Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson handed down to Donte R. Houston for second-degree murder of an unintended 70-year-old woman target and the judge's comments that he's fed up with the recent wave of violence in Saginaw, including similar incidents involving children, more than 30 comments have rolled in. While some readers applauded Jackson's words and sentence, others claimed it still wouldn't send the right message and wanted more, including the death penalty. Read some of those comments below and then join the discussion here.

Reader sillyday wrote:

Pack 'em in like sardines who cares. They have no remorse EVER. And those that don't cooperate throw them in jail, too. They're just as much part of the problem.

Commenter coolrunnings11 added:

Nice to see a judge exemplify the feelings of a community. I pray that this guy doesn't call the ACLU and go after the judge for using his personal feelings/emotions to sentence people.

Way to go judge.

Commenter wtph brought in the death penalty argument:

In all honesty, even the longer prison sentence makes zero sense to me. This thug KILLED an innocent person. Tell me why he deserves to keep living?

We keep slapping these people on the wrist (and by 'slapping these people on the wrist,' I mean feeding them, housing them in air-conditioned cells with excercise equipment, entertainment, etc.) only to let them get out early for good behavior. Does the victim get any benefits for 'good behavior?' No, because she is dead.

Bring back the death penalty and the streets of Saginaw, Flint and Detroit will become much safer, much quicker.

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From the comments: Readers react to Saginaw County judge being 'fed up' with recent shootings of unintended targets

BEIRUT: Unlike capitals in North America and Europe, where yoga studios are almost as common as corner stores, local practitioners have to do a bit of searching to find the studios of Beirut, mostly tucked away in converted living rooms and unlikely spaces.

But this is beginning to change, as new studios open, teachers bring new styles from abroad and the yoga community grows significantly.Nok Yoga Shala is one such dynamic new space. The studio, located in Saifi Village, was opened by the founder of the New York-based Nok Foundation, Nigol Koulajian. Koulajian, who is of Lebanese origins, and local architect Hisham Hert opened Nok based on a dream for a yoga and wellness community center in the heart of Beirut.

Its a not-for-profit center, were just here to offer a space for the yoga and Eastern philosophy community to get together, bring teachers from abroad and have a space where all different types of tradition are given equal playing time, explains Erin OHalloran, manager of Nok and a yoga teacher.

Every week Nok offers a range of yoga classes (updated on the Nok Facebook page) from vinyasa flow and tantric yoga to the more traditional hatha and ashtanga approaches and holds frequent events and workshops led by teachers from abroad to introduce various aspects of Eastern religions, as well as meditation traditions.

At the moment the yoga community in Beirut is functioning off of a number of individuals who are all trying to eke out a living offering classes in their homes or doing private lessons. Its really grassroots, which is something that I love about the community here youve got to be intrepid, youve got to be a self-starter, youre not in it for the money because there isnt really money to be had, continues OHalloran, who has been based in Beirut for three years and teaching at a number of studios.

One of the ideas behind Nok is to take some of the burden off of teachers, says OHalloran.

We are really hoping that this can be a space to benefit yoga teachers in Beirut as much as the yoga community in terms of students.

Though Nok promises to be a hub for yogis in Beirut, many smaller studios and teachers operating out their own homes are seeing an influx of students and introducing different yoga styles to the country.

Danielle Abisaab, who has operated a boutique studio out of her home in Mar Mikhail for more than seven years, has recently brought aerial yoga to Lebanon.

Aerial yoga is a practice using a silk hammock to elevate and support the body as the person moves into different asanas (poses), using the force of gravity to help with alignment. Abisaab fell in love with the practice last year in New York City and obtained her certification.

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Grassroots yoga studios bloom in Beirut

Gilbert, AZ (PRWEB) June 20, 2012

Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc., a national leader in health and wellness celebrating their sixteenth year, now features a new Dahn Yoga Glossary for practitioners in their newsletter, Dahn Yoga Life. Every monthly issue of Dahn Yoga Life will offer an in depth look at a word or phrase regularly used in Dahn Yoga practice. This months Glossary term is Geumchok.

It is very likely that most people who have attended Dahn Yoga classes or read books and articles about the Dahn Yoga community have come across a word or phrase that they didnt quite understand. While class experience can often fill in any gaps, many people would benefit from more thorough explanations.

In the June 2012 issue of the newsletter, Dahn Yoga Life, the word Geumchok is defined.

An intriguing concept related to meditation, practitioners use various Geumchok techniques to transcend the effects of external stimuli on the five physical senses which impact the emotions and energy. The greater understanding offered this month regarding the benefits of Geumchok and how it relates to Dahn Yoga Practice, as well as to daily life, is sure to create a desire to explore this method of focusing ones awareness.

With in-depth explanations of words and phrases regularly used in Dahn Yoga classes and Dahn Meditation practices, the new Dahn Yoga Glossary will deepen the practitioners understanding, experience and results.

About Dahn Yoga: Dahn Yoga is a dynamic mind-body practice originating in Korea. Dahn Yoga classes combine stretching, flowing movement, deep breathing exercises and meditation in a simple and easy to learn format. Dahn Yoga is often taught alongside Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation classes. In the United States, Dahn Yoga classes are offered at Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc., a national leader in health and wellness. Dahn Yoga classes are also offered at Body & Brain franchise, affiliate and community-based locations

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Dahn Yoga Monthly Glossary Enlightens Practitioners

I have a new dog. His name is Grover.or nutsy butz, leave it, drop it, or uh-oh. Grover is a busy little boy. He feels obligated to grab shoes and run before we can put them on our feet. It is also his duty to shred the newspaper before we read it, to landscape the yard, and to drag anything not tied down out the dog door including my underwear. Yes, he has an agenda run, run, runsleep. Run, run, runeat and sleep. Run, run, run.well, you're probably getting the picture. Just like having a toddler, silence is not golden.

Little Grover is Cavalier King Charles and Brittany Spaniel with a super-long constantly wagging tail sure to be a deadly weapon to wine glasses in the future and disproportionately long front and back legs none of which work well together. For example: There goes the rest of my pack, thinks Grover, as he chases across the yard after them run, run, run, trip over a bump, somersault, and up and running again who cares if it's in the wrong direction.

While I love to expound on the greatness of my puppy, there is a point to this other than telling you what a klutz he is. Grover is just that a puppy. He often loses his proprioception the sense of where his paws or anything else are in space. He is also just beginning to develop skills such as sit, down and drop that cell phone and his strength and endurance.

What Grover needs is Puppy Pilates. Yes, your puppy can do Pilates right along with you with just a few simple items: phonebooks, baskets, a balance disc or round pillows and plenty of treats. Puppy Pilates helps your puppy become aware of its body, strengthen its core, and build its skills all while developing a fun relationship with you.

Puppy Pilates: Start with a small basket or box that is filled with something to hold it down, and use rubber drawer lining on the bottom the side that will be up so it's not slippery to stand on. Or can you can use several phone books taped together. Lure your puppy onto the box just the front legs and offer a treat. Then see if you can get all the legs on the box and treat. Next try to have them get off the box slowly, trying to leave the back legs on and treat. If you know how to use a clicker, click away for any action toward or on the box. You can try a sit on the box, a down on a bigger box, turns, puppy squats sit-stand-sit, and a beg.

Then, add another box right next to the first so your puppy walks from one to another. You can add a balance disc or a round pillow in between the two boxes and have them walk from one to the next. The possibilities are endless. Different heights, and different textures solid vs. soft builds both core strength and confidence.

Other fun ideas to do with your puppy are:

1. Buy some noodles (swim-type not pasta-type silly!) and have your puppy walk over them, one at a time, treating after each step-over or put a treat between each one. It might be easier to do this game on a leash so they walk through the maze rather than race through, tripping and grabbing treats. You can also try having them walk through a ladder placed on the ground again with one treat between each rung. Try walking them backwards with you in front of them, walking toward them.

2. Put a plank between two paint or coffee cans and have your dog walk the plank great for finding their feet and good core strengthening. Add pirate hats and an eye patch for the dog and give the neighbors something to talk about.

3. Buy an Ikea tunnel and encourage them to run through the tunnel. Or really have fun and lead your puppy through the tunnel.

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Puppy Pilates? Yup! It's easy and fun for you, your pet

A High Bridge couple were arrested Monday after authorities traced a purse theft to a vehicle parked behind the Clinton Community Center, according to police reports.

Brian Meyer, 34, faces theft charges after allegedly stealing a woman's purse while she was taking an aerobics class in the center. The purse, left in the center's lobby, contained more the $700 worth of items, reports say.

Clinton police found Meyer and the purse in a vehicle near the rear of the building. Also in the car was Kelly Dixon-Meyer, 29, who was found with drug paraphernalia nearby and suspected heroin stashed in her bra, according to police. Three children ages 6, 5 and 3 years old, were also in the car.

Meyer was arrested on charges of theft and held in Hunterdon County jail in lieu of $2,500 bail. Dixon-Meyer was charged with drug possession and drug paraphernalia possession, and was held in jail on $5,000 bail. The children were released to the Division of Youth and Family Services.

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High Bridge couple arrested after Clinton police allegedly find stolen purse in car, heroin in woman's bra

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g7upsrrtEs

19-06-2012 09:55 Check out how Fouad Abiad performs the best hamstrings exercise, the stiff legged deadlift! Heavy weight with perfect form.

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Fouad Abiad - Hamstring excercise - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIIXQ292nm0

19-06-2012 16:16

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excercise endorphins ymca gym video conflict vantra vegan restaurant dinner 00495.mp4 - Video

6/19/2012 By Sgt. Ray Lewis , Marine Forces Reserve

Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment learned life-saving convoy operations tactics from the Estonian army during a two-week multi-national combined exercise during Saber Strike 2012.

"Today we practiced convoy-operations with our true allies, the American Marines, said 1st Lt. Madis Koosa, an operations officer with the Estonian Army. We tried different situations: contact drills, medical evacuation and interacting with the locals.

The Pennsylvania-based unit also maneuvered armored vehicles through a forest battle space that was riddled with mock-improvised explosive devices and small arms fire from an unknown enemy role-played by the Estonians.

The thing is, that the Marine units were sent here, because not all of them have been to Afghanistan, Koosa said. This means, that the units aren't 100 percent team-wise.

However, Koosa and his soldiers had a great expanse of knowledge to share with the Marines when it comes to preparing for deployments in Afghanistan. Most Estonians soldiers have served in Afghanistan under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It's quite obvious, that there are some guys, that haven't done any of the procedures previously, he said. But there were not any problems with that. Maybe we ourselves confirm with these drills, that we do them the same way, as other allied units. It just means, that if we're together in NATO, we have the same understanding of things, as other countries and are able to execute them the same way."

The Marines agreed. Most Marines thought there wasnt much difference between them and the Estonians tactic-wise.

Really, they were the same tactics that we do, said Cpl. Josiah D. Eby, a squad leader assigned to 1st Platoon. They were able to throw us into different situations and we were able to hone those skills

He and his platoon had to deal with a complex ambush that rendered some of his troops wounded and one of their convoy trucks immobile. The Marines had to respond to the enemys assault.

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3/25 Marines learn convoy tactics from Estonians during Saber Strike

(Miron and Cathy Skott, in Schuylkill Park. Credit: Paul Kurtz)

By Paul Kurtz

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) A trio of cross-country bicyclists stopped off in Philadelphia today as part of lengthy trip designed to promote community, volunteerism, and the development of safe bike trails.

They set out from Florida on May 12th, following the route of the East Coast Greenway, a system of trails connecting all the cities on the east coast.

Mid-Atlantic coordinator Andy Hamilton says the greenway is a bicycle enthusiasts version of the Appalachian Trail.

These guys are riding from Miami to Portland, Maine. There are three people Bob Speigleman, Miron and Cathy Skott. And theyve been putting between 30 and 70 miles a day with just a couple days of rest, he says.

Miron Skott has been riding all his life. He believes you see a lot more and make a more friends when travelling on a bike.

Its enjoyable. Its great excercise, too, and all the benefits you might get. All in all, its a fun way to travel, he tells KYW Newsradio.

Their trip is scheduled to end with a big celebration in Portland, Maine on July 7th.

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Promoting Bike Trails, Florida-to-Maine Cyclists Reach Philadelphia

By Claire Harlin editor@delmartimes.net

A yoga instructor of nearly a decade, Del Mar resident Aubrey Hackman used to attend a huge yoga conference in Colorado each year. One year, the conference was sponsored by Fiji water, she said, and by the end of the well-attended event, the grounds were covered with empty plastic water bottles.

I thought, This isnt right, said Hackman, 29. This is a yoga event and it should promote mindfulness. People should be aware of the consequences their actions create. Thats whats taught in the philosophy of yoga.

Aubrey Hackman

Not only was Hackman able to secure grant funding from the town of Telluride, but dozens of highly coveted yoga instructors from around the world have committed to being a part of the festival because they are in tune with her no-waste philosophy.

I got huge names I never expected to get because they also wanted to be part of something that was environmentally focused, said Hackman. As soon as they caught wind of this event that was going to be totally different they jumped on board.

Sponsors of the event are only allowed to provide product samples that are consumable and recyclable, and Hackman has turned away a number of companies that have offered ample sponsorship funding, but could not supply plastic-free promotional products. A portion of proceeds from the festival is also dispersed among several environmental nonprofits.

All the paper we use is ancient forest-friendly, too. Weve been doing that from day one, said Hackman. The commercialization of yoga is huge right now, a $30 billion industry. Its enormous. I just want to focus on tradition and the older integrity of the practice.

Hackman said the success of the festival inspired her to move to North County, where yoga is heavily embraced by the community. She said she would like to start a yoga festival here, and there have been many local people who have come forth to help her.

Its still up in the air, she said. I have whats necessary; Im just waiting for the right time.

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Del Mar woman starts unique yoga festival in Telluride