Yoga In Times Square: 2013 Solstice Event Draws Thousands To One Of The World's Busiest Intersections (PHOTOS)

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At the 11th Solstice at Times Square event Friday, thousands upon thousands of yoga enthusiasts are descending upon one of the world's busiest commercial intersections to celebrate the first day of summer with a peace-seeking dose of yoga.

Aptly dubbed "Mind Over Madness" yoga, the organizers of this year's Solstice at Times Square event say the juxtaposition of the flashy location with the soothing practice of yoga is meant to remind attendees that peace can be found anywhere -- even in the hustle and bustle of New York City.

"It's a metaphor for calming the mind amidst the madness of modern life," said Tim Tompkins, president of Times Square Alliance and co-founder of the annual event, in a media release.

More than 15,000 people are expected to attend one of the five outdoor sessions of yoga organized throughout the day Friday in cordoned-off pedestrian islands on Broadway between 43rd and 48th streets. As roads haven't been blocked off and businesses are open as usual, vehicles and pedestrians will be swarming around the area as usual all day.

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More than 15,000 people are expected to practice yoga during the 11th Solstice in Times Square event on June 21st

Tao Porchon-Lynch, the 94-year-old founder of the Westchester Institute of Yoga, kicked things off Friday morning with a meditation session. "Smile as you rise with the sun," she told the crowd. "Thank you for smiling with me."

Drisana Carey (center), veteran yoga instructor and acupuncturist, leads the morning yoga session Friday at the 11th Solstice in Times Square event

A participant listening to the introductory speeches

Thousands joined in child's pose at the 11th Solstice in Times Square event

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

11th Solstice in Times Square yoga session

Yoga enthusiasts show off their skills at the 11th Solstice in Times Square event

"Times Square in my experience is the most wildly amazing, distracting, entertaining place on earth," yoga instructor Drisana Carey, who led the 7.30 a.m. session, told the The Huffington Post on Friday morning. "When we practice yoga, the whole practice is to tune in inside and find that sense of equanimity, of calmness, of centeredness and oftentimes distractions pull us away from that."

"Anytime you come to practice, even if it's in a very quiet studio, our mind is constantly jumping around to different places. It's really important to draw yourself inside," she continued, as taxi cab drivers blared their horns and digital billboards flashed behind her. "So, if you can find that sense of calmness and centeredness here in Times Square, you can find it anywhere."

If you want to follow along at home, a webcast of the Solstice in Times Square event has been provided by Athleta, one of the sponsors of the event, in partnership with Livestream and the event's organizers. Watch it here:

Also on HuffPost:

Phachara Khongwatmai, 14, becomes the youngest golfer to Win Pro event

By Nick Masuda, Golfweek

Move Lydia Ko, there's a new girl in town.

Amateur Phachara Khongwatmai, at the tender age of 14, became the youngest golfer to win a pro event when it went bankrupt in the ASEAN PGA Tour Singhua Hin Open 13.

And a squeaker, clears was not the field for a four shots of developer. Heck, the guy showed a smile before shooting at the 18th hole.

Khongwatmai was born May 3, 1999, almost seven months younger than Ko when he won his first professional title, the go new South Wales Open in January 2012, also in 14. Ko would go on to win on the LPGA Tour as well.

Ryo Ishikawa kept the record before Ko, winning at the age of 15 years and eight months in 2007.

Khongwatmai is the latest teenager to steal headlines, as 19-year-old Jordan Spieth recently became the player youngest to win on the PGA Tour since 1931, while also becoming the youngest champion in the fourth in the history of the Tour. Spieth turns 20 on Saturday.

Other teens recently in the news: 14-year-old Andrew Walker is the second youngest player ever to qualify for the amateur of the United States; Latanna Stone, 12 at the time, competed in Amateur 2012 United States women; Tianlang Guan, then 14, took the world by storm to make the cut in the masters; and Lucy Li will stone looks old as 10-year-old plays in the women's United States Amateur next week.

Kanye West's 'Yeezy' Listening Event Features New Tunes

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Kanye West's "Yeezy" listening featured some heavy hitters.

NEW YORK — Kanye West says his new album is all about giving.

The multiplatinum rapper held a listening for "Yeezus" late Monday in New York City, where Beyonce was one of the few hundred attendees.

West said that his sixth effort will showcase his growth over the last two years and that "he had to learn about giving ... this whole process is all about giving."

"I feel like I know who I am," said West, who turned 36 on Saturday.

"Yeezus" is out June 18. It has a dark, moody vibe that expands beyond his last two solo efforts, 2010's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and 2008's "808s & Heartbreak." It's also a departure from his first three albums, which featured a plethora of radio hits.

West held the listening in the loading dock of Milk Studios in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. The room was dark as lights burst onto the walls to display colorful visuals that assisted the 10 songs the rapper played.

Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip also attended the listening. West's new album features Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and rapper Chief Keef.

West and girlfriend Kim Kardashian are expecting their first child.

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Online:

http://www.kanyewest.com/

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