via zimbio.com
...but he enjoys it! Russell Simmons may be all bent out of shape, but it’s because he may be doing the downward dog, lotus, or warrior pose. That’s right – we’re talking yoga! The music biz veteran is making a call to bring yoga into more school classrooms, and is joined by celebs like Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Heather Graham in backing the cause.
Simmons, who co-founded his own organization called the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, recently attended a gala benefiting Bent On Learning, a group that works to provide free yoga classes for schoolchildren in New York City. Guest writing for The Huffington Post, Simmons said, “Yoga is a great physical workout that teaches kids, in fact teaches everyone, how to use what they already have -- their body, breath and mind -- to feel better about themselves, to release stress, calm their emotions and increase focus.”
Yoga can not only help improve physical fitness, but help foster healthier cognitive and emotional well-being. As voiced by Michelle Obama, children’s health and wellness initiatives need attention now. The First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign, for example, was created to address the growing and already nationwide problem of childhood obesity.
Simmons calls bringing yoga to the youth is a “good, smart, affordable solution to our children’s problems like obesity, A.D.D., and depression. The problems are real and this solution is as well.” The yoga enthusiast ends his guest post with “Let’s get to it.” So what are you waiting for? Get to it and get the facts on healthy living—and do something to reach your zen today!
