Young women come together for a common cause...fitness
By Karen Daley
SPARTA — Younique Yoga in Sparta recently became the latest institution to open its doors to the active group, Pretty Girls Sweat. John Harin, owner of Younique Yoga hosted the group free of charge with Cari Libysen instructing.
The session consisted of games and yoga instruction. Libyson said,
“Many people are intimidated by Hot Yoga and this was a great way to show young women they can do it.”
She was impressed with the turnout on March 27. “Girls from different schools came together for a common cause and really enjoyed themselves”
Pretty GirlsSweat.com was developed by a local Sparta woman.
It was inspired in 2011 to go along with First lady Michelle O’Bama’s Let’s Move movement.
Aeshia DeVore Branch is also the creator of Teen Diaries.net; a Web site geared for teenage girls. With a background in TV production, the idea first came to Branch as a talk show. She felt a void of positive content for teenage girls.
After viewing the "Tyra Banks Show" with her step daughter, Branch thought that she needed to give girls better content.
Now, teendiaries.net showcases teenage journalists who write in a positive way. It is also an outlet for the average teenage girl to write about their feeling and keep a journal.
“We are trying to make writing cool again,” Branch said. The site is a way for the girls to express themselves and help them realize they are not alone in their feelings.
“The art of writing is dying.” said Branch. Teen Diaries has become popular among pre-teen and teenage girls in a social media. It is in its 6th year and is the place “Where Hip Pop, Fashion and Teen Culture Collide."
Fitness has always been a large part of Branch’s life. Playing on teams throughout her adolescence and in college, it seemed right to bring fitness into the world of teendiaries.net.
Following First Lady Michelle Obama’s lead with her Lets Move campaign, Branch developed the sister to teendiaries.net; PrettyGirlsSweat.com in 2011.
Recording artist Keri Hilson’s song “Pretty Girls Rock” was played at the debut event introducing the fitness group of young women ranging from ages 13-22.
It was something Hilson is passionate about.
On May 1, 2011 Michele Obama paired up with singer Beyonce to show kids how to have fun and be active. Pretty Girls Sweat CEO Aeshia DeVore Branch took that idea and headlined a big event at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in the celebration of the 1-year anniversary of Beyonce's Official Lets Move Flash Workout.
At this event, Michele Obama sent a letter in recognition of the exercise and lifestyle the girls were striving for. She encouraged them to be active all the time and teach others ways to be healthy so they could live long healthy lives.
Pretty Girls Sweat has ambassadors on college campuses and towns all over the North East. They host fitness events every month. There will be another event May 1 to mark second anniversary of the movement. Check out teendiaries.net and sign up for the mailing list to get more information on upcoming Pretty Girls Sweat events.