Lionsgate Launches Two New Fitness Brands With a Spiritual Element

22 Sep, 2011 By: Angelique Flores

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Lionsgate is debuting two new series that feature a mind-spirit component.

In the first series, Christian fitness editor Jimmy Peña brings his Prayfit brand to DVD. In the second, yoga maverick Tara Stiles has teamed up with mind-body-spirit guru Deepak Chopra.

Peña, who founded Prayfit.com in 2009, is presenting his philosophy of taking care of both our bodies and our souls on his first DVD, Prayfit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge. Lionsgate releases the title Dec. 6 at $14.98.

The 33-day plan features 33-minute daily workouts that combine cardio, strength and core moves. Intended for any fitness level, the workouts include Peña’s faith-based motivation.

The best-selling author and exercise physiologist Peña says “Jesus gave us 33 years,” and with this workout, he encourages viewers to “give God 33 minutes for 33 days for a healthier, more abundant life.”

“Prayfit highlights that connection between the body and soul,” Peña said.

“It’s not just a way to help people be healthy, but a way to thank God for life.”

Prayfit.com has nearly 10,000 subscribers to its daily feed and is endorsed by Tyler
Perry, Mario Lopez, LL Cool J and others.

For additional support, DVD viewers can visit prayfit.com for diet advice, encouragement and to connect with others in the Prayfit community.

Bonus features on the disc are “Prayfit Minute,” weekly devotionals to inspire success, and a Prayfit Workout Journal to track goals.

“I hope we inspire and encourage them to stay the course,” Peña said of the devotionals. “People want to change their habits and the body, so we don’t overload with the devotions. It’s sprinkled in perfect timing.”

Similarly, the new DVDs from Chopra and Stiles combine meditation practices with yoga for a complete mind-body transformation.

Lionsgate releases Deepak Chopra & Tara Stiles — Yoga Transformation: Weight Loss & Balance and Deepak Chopra & Tara Stiles — Yoga Transformation: Strength & Energy Dec. 6 at $14.98 each.

Each DVD, shot in Joshua Tree, will include a yoga workout with gentle flow movements and an emphasis on breathing, a guided meditation segment, and special features highlighting the benefits of yoga and meditation.

“He’s so great at making meditation and spirituality for everyone and not make it intimidating,” Stiles said.

Named "Yoga Rebel" by the New York Times, Stiles has her own “Yoga Anywhere” DVDs as well as a number of others, including Jane Fonda’s recent “Workout” series.

Stiles and Chopra first partnered up about two years for a yoga app, she said, and, thereafter, he asked her to be his personal yoga instructor. The partnership between Stiles and Chopra for a DVD was a natural fit to incorporate their shared styles of making yoga and meditation, respectively, accessible and easy to do.

“He always says don’t forget ‘yoga’ means ‘union,’” Stiles said.

The idea of the body-spirit connection in fitness has been around a long time, said Lionsgate’s Kajsa Vikman, VP of home entertainment marketing,

“I think that it’s becoming more and more present in mainstream American than it has been in the past,” she said. “So we’re releasing these titles with the added component.”

Another brand, though not a new one, that’s adding the spiritual element is the Jane Fonda “Prime Time” DVD line. The upcoming Jane Fonda Prime Time: Firm & Burn and Jane Fonda Prime Time: Trim, Tone & Flex will include relaxation and meditation segments. Those titles street Dec. 6 for $14.98 each.
 

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