Hey, Kindle Fire owners (or anyone who is thinking about getting a new Fire Phone): Amazon is giving away 30 "self-improvement" apps for free.

The selection covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, workout tips, games, educational stuff, and budgeting resources.

Amazon says if you download all of the apps that it's giving away for free, you'll be saving more than $100. One of the apps,Language Coach, is $9.99 by itself.

The bundle of apps will only be available for free on Thursday and Friday before they return to normal prices.

One of the complaints about Amazon's new smartphone was that the app ecosystem wasn't robust enough, so this move gives it an opportunity to prove that while it may not have some of the more "name brand" apps, it has plenty of its own alternatives.

Last month, Amazon had a similar two-day free window for some of its most popular apps.

Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions.

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Amazon Is Giving Away 30 'Self-Improvement' Paid Apps For Free For The Next Two Days (AMZN)

Happy Birthday: Consistency will be key in reaching your goals and achieving the success and recognition you want. Focus on self-improvement rather than trying to change those around you. Feuds or disagreements could arise if you aren't willing to compromise at least some of the time. Make choices backed by facts, figures and experience. Look inward before criticizing others. Your numbers are 3, 10, 17, 27, 36, 40, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make positive changes. Get involved in activities and events that interest you. Expand your circle of friends and look for ways to increase your knowledge and expertise. Socializing will lead to romance and a positive lifestyle change. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You will have a tendency to overreact or to take on too much. Personal change must be done for the right reason. Ulterior motives are present and questionable. Don't let your emotions interfere with what's best for you. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Plan a day trip or a neighborhood party. Expanding your circle of friends will lead to exciting new opportunities and a change in the way you do things at home. Good fortune is heading your way. Embrace the future with optimism. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put time and effort into self-improvement. A creative outlet will help you calm your emotions and ease your stress. Look for a way to turn something you enjoy doing into a prosperous venture. Love is in the stars. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don't take on so much that you aren't able to fulfill your domestic obligations. You owe it to those who depend on you to take care of business before you pursue personal pleasures. Organization will help you fit everything into your busy schedule. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Ease into any obligation with caution. Helping others is fine, but not at the expense of ignoring your needs. A last-minute change of plans will influence the way someone feels about you. Show compassion and nurture important relationships. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Anything that will help you get ahead professionally should be dealt with before you move on to personal plans. Being responsible will boost your reputation and a consideration for advancement will result. Don't let personal demands hold you back. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Observe what others do and say. Taking a back seat or spending your time quietly working on home improvement projects will keep you out of trouble and help you raise your standard of living. A physical transformation will result in compliments. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Financial opportunities are present. Focus on your assets and how you can make them grow. Home improvement projects or a residential move will help you build a solid and stable economic future. Charity begins at home. 4 stars

Continued here:
Horoscopes - August 2, 2014

Remaining focussed Breathing is very crucial, says Prasad

Watching Prasad Bhatdundi perform yoga is like, as the clich goes, watching poetry in motion. His face is serene and his lithe body twists and turns effortlessly as he goes into one complex pose after the other with an almost deceptive ease the only indication of the effort it entails, the beads of sweat that dot his face and body.

His tryst with yoga started almost 15 years ago in a little village in North Kanara, I enrolled in a Vedanta and Chanting camp at the age of 12 in my hometown where along with learning the chants, we had to practice yoga. This is where my personal journey with yoga began.

However, it was only after a chance encounter with Ashtanga practitioner Vijay Kumar Manjar in Mysore, where Prasad was pursuing a Masters in Sanskrit, that Prasad truly embraced the practice. I got introduced to the Ashtanga form of yoga through my guru. Ashtanga is a traditional form of yoga that follows a standardised sequence of postures and has not been diluted in any way, over the years, he says, adding that he relocated to Bangalore two years ago.

According to him, the practice improves flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration, training the mind to remaining focused and pushing the bodys strength to higher levels, As you follow a standard sequence everyday, the practice is repetitive, leading to perfection. Breathing is very crucial as it leads you into your various asanas/postures, creating enough internal heat in the body to remove all toxins and open all the blocks in our nervous system, he adds.

Ashtanga is not easy the postures are complex and the sequence demands a lot out of you but it can be tweaked to address the needs of students across ages and fitness levels. I encourage a lot of self-practice in my class, where each student practicing at their own pace and based on their individual ability, needs and strength I help them to perfect each posture and move to the next level, says Prasad. I believe anyone, anywhere, any age can practice yoga. Ashtanga is for all.

Prasad walks the talk. And certainly breathes it. I lead a disciplined life as that is required to sustain the practice. I am up at 4 a.m. every morning, beginning my day with a series of chants and hymns. I also undertake my own self-practice in Ashtanga every day, either early in the morning or late in the evening depending on my classes and schedule. I take classes across the day in four locations in the city, he says. On future plans, The West made Ashtanga popular and I want to take this practice to more people in Bangalore. Ashtanga creates a healthy and spiritual balance in your mind, body and soul. I would love for more people to try out my class and experience this, he smiles.

Call Prasad on +919449208616

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A twist in his tale