As the calendar year changes, along come new challenges and promises to oneself. These self-affirmed transformations usually have to do with the physical; some want to feel better, but more than likely it’s to look better.
Truth be told, this process should be implemented throughout the year and learned early in life, and that’s the intention of Aeshia DeVore Branch, CEO of Teen Diaries. The NYC-based Teen Diaries, a celebrated digital destination dedicated to helping multicultural females between the ages of 13 to 22 transition into adulthood, is a true multimedia platform. Launched in 2007, the site provides an outlet for teens to share, support, discuss and debate the issues that affect this unique and influential population. In addition to the highly popular website, readers can also tune in to TD Radio, a lively weekly radio program hosted by Aeshia DeVore Branch, Sports Illustrated model Damaris Lewis and DJ Tyger Lilly. Airing every Tuesday from 9 to 10 p.m., it covers topics ranging from the latest entertainment news to issues affecting the lives of young people.
Teen Diaries last week offered their first of what will be an annual event, Pretty Girls Sweat yoga class at the Educational Alliance’s Sirovich Center. Through the Pretty Girls Sweat initiative, the aim is to encourage young women to embrace fitness and feel confident in their own bodies.
This specific event focuses on the power of yoga and aims to address and teach how this form of exercise promotes unification of body and mind, builds lean muscle, reduces stress and increases awareness and the ability to look within oneself and think for oneself, and DeVore Branch served as host to 40 inner-city teen girls as they received a free yoga class from trainer and fitness dietitian Leslie Fajfar; yoga mats from Nike; a healthy hydration workshop from event sponsor Wat-Aah, purveyors of bottled water; a healthy lunch from Subway and WhyJuice.com, complete with a workshop on how to create nutritious blended juices at home; a performance from teen pop group the Lucki Gurlz; and a surprise visit from the aforementioned model Damaris Lewis. World-renowned vocalist Estelle served as co-host. Each participant also received a gift bag with products from Nivea, Aveeno and Sally Hansen.
“Introducing yoga to teen women has been a personal goal of mine for quite some time. Many women are intimidated by the practice of yoga, so Pretty Girls Sweat is the ideal vessel to demonstrate how this form of exercise can be fun, relaxing and serve as a tool to quiet out the noise of the everyday chaos that a teen endures,” says Teen Diaries founder Branch. “Teaming up with Estelle to promote fitness and wellness is the icing on the cake. Her commitment to staying healthy and her dedication to her music career will speak volumes to our youth,” she added.
Speaking of Estelle, props to her for her 2013 Grammy nomination for her song “Thank You.” Looks like the R&B Performance category is loaded, as she faces newcomer Luke James and his song “I Want You”; Miguel’s “Adorn”; Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi, “Gonna Be Alright”; and Usher’s “Climax.”
Over and out. Holla in a week. Till then, enjoy the nightlife.