Following the success of his Drunken Artist event a few weeks ago (and it's a good thing it was a success, as it was a fundraiser), Joe Picorale is ready for the main event.

Nearly everyone in town, these days, has either started doing yoga, continued doing yoga, or has noticed that lots of people are doing yoga.

That's good for someone like Picorale, who is pretty freaking into yoga himself -- so much so that he and a board of directors are presenting the I Am Yoga, Art, and Music Festival this weekend.

It's kind of a best-of-both-worlds festival, meaning that it's not just for Sting and other people who are so limber that they're practically liquid.

"The festival is free, and people can see yoga happening with their own eyes and experience it," Picorale said. "But for the people who already do yoga, we've got more in-depth classes and workshops."

The festival itself is free, and there will be a free yoga class each afternoon of the two-day shindig, but the rest of the classes and workshops will require a festival pass, available through several avenues.

So the free classes and the live music -- including names as varied as Grazzhopper, Branjae Music, Susan Herndon, Red Wood Rising, and Samantha Crane to name but a small few -- and the vendors (30-plus at press time) are available to anyone who wants a peek.

And while Picorale and friends definitely want to expose people to yoga, the main thrust of the festival itself is a kind of yoga convention.

"Most of the instructors are coming in from out of state, so there will be something new for people in Tulsa to take away from it," he said. But he was quick to assert that there's something for everyone.

"We want to expose people to yoga so they see it's beneficial to all aspects of life," he said. "But we also want to connect people to each other. We're kind of trying to dissolve competitive lines and get people to come together for one event."

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Yoga in the Park | Festival for all levels heads for the Pearl

KENT, OH--(Marketwired - Sep 10, 2013) - Premium smoothie franchise Robeks has partnered with a new yoga studio to form a healthy lifestyle center near Kent State's campus.

The store at 295 S. Water St. is the 11th for Robeks in northern Ohio, and the first in a non-traditional location. Robeks shares the space with One Love Yoga and Boutique. One Love Yoga co-owner Tim Huth reached out to Robeks to form the partnership. The Robeks location is owned and operated by Anne Randles, who also owns a Robeks in Stow, Ohio.

"Robeks believes in the same things we do -- being natural and healthy, and bringing something good to the community," said Huth, a longtime Robeks customer. "It really ties together our commitment to mind-body health. What you put into your body is just as important as what you do to stay active."

Huth considered other smoothie franchises, too, but chose Robeks because of its commitment to natural ingredients and nutrition. Randles embraced the chance to open a second location. The store's footprint will be much smaller than a typical Robeks, and the buildout costs are much lower. At the same time, the yoga studio gives her a built-in customer base. "I love the idea," she said. "It's going to be amazing."

Robeks will share the first floor with One Love Yoga's boutique, which sells eco-friendly clothing and yoga accessories. The second-floor yoga studio features large windows and natural light.

Robeks is a premium smoothie and juice franchise with an unwavering commitment to health and nutrition. It uses whole fruits and vegetables to create made-to-order smoothies and juices. It is a leader and innovator in the smoothie industry.

Dan Stanowick, Robeks' Regional Director for Ohio, says the partnership points toward new opportunities for expansion for Robeks.

"There's never been a better time to open a Robeks," he said. "We've got great products and potential locations, great training and support, and great local operators committed to each other's growth and success."

To learn more, visit http://www.robeksfranchise.com.

IF YOU GO Address: 295 S. Water St., Kent, OH 44240 Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. M-F, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., 8-8 Sun. Robeks phone: 330-677-8005 One Love Yoga phone: 330-824-7228

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Robeks Partners With Yoga Studio to Create Healthy Lifestyle Center in Kent, Ohio