Instagram's Yoga Girl by Madison Buckles

Scrolling through Instagram you'll find countless accounts: food, fashion, beauty, sports, and many more. Yet none of these accounts are quite as unique as Rachel Brathen’s account @yoga_girl. At first glance you'd think that Yoga Girl lives in a perfect world. She does yoga on the beautiful beaches of Aruba, has a loving husband, an adorable dog named Ringo (@ringo_thegringo), and an equally cute goat named Penny (@penny_thegoat). On top of all of that she travels around the world doing what she loves! However, this unique account gives more than a dose of daily serenity; it allows followers to accept and embrace the realities and curveballs that the world throws at us.

I've been following Rachel for years and it feels that with every post we all get to know her a little more. Opening up her heart to all followers, Rachel writes about the good and the bad in life. From sharing her engagement and wedding experiences with us, to talking about the death of her best friend, yoga girl allows her followers to go along with her in the ups and downs of life. These deeply personal posts have definitely helped me and many others accept that sometimes some situations aren't okay, and that is okay!

Rachel uses her fan base of 1.9 million followers to spread the word for good causes. One campaign that she advertises is @109world, which she actually co-founded. The organization conducts mission trips to countries like Latvia, Colombia, Nicaragua, and more. The organization has 7 passions that they support: education, animals, water, environment, children, food security, and women. While many Instagram-famous people take their followers for granted, Rachel makes the most out of it by supporting helpful organizations.

Yoga Girl’s posts also highlight the great moments in life! Her feed is filled with intricate yoga poses and videos that are all about breathing in and letting the emotion and stress out. We live in a busy world where people never seem to stop and take a break. Rachel’s soothing videos and inspirational captions make you pause and take a breath. Through her account I've realized that sometimes we all need to unplug and reflect on the little things in life.

On first impression, Rachel’s account @yoga_girl might seem to be exclusively for aspiring yogis. However, everyone can learn something from her account. Her feed is filled with raw emotion and positive messages that anybody can be touched by. Whether you're visiting the account to look for a new yoga pose or simply just need to de-stress, Rachel’s account is the perfect place to gain a bit of peace and wisdom. Namaste!

Click here for more on Rachel Brathen and her journey!

The Power of Dogs of Instagram by Tris Dickie

Dogs have always had a special place in my heart, and I never seem to get enough of them! Like us, dogs face challenges of finding homes and fighting sicknesses. Social media makes it easier for people to share a dog’s story and to spread awareness of the problems dogs encounter. As a community we can come together to help our furry friends! Dogs of Instagram, founded by Ahmed El Shourbagy and Ashley Paguyo Shourbagy, is an extremely effective way to help the dogs that we love so much!

            Dogs of Instagram began as a way to give dog lovers their daily dose of cute puppy faces, but has evolved into something much greater with every new follower. I found this adorable account in the midst of its growing fame. “Ahmed thought it would be fun to create an account to celebrate people’s passion for dogs,” writes Baldwin Cunningham in his article, What Dogs of Instagram Can Teach You About Millennial Business. This account has become affiliated with many organizations such as Susie’s Senior Dogs, which helps find homes for orphaned and abandoned elder dogs. With the help of Dogs of Instagram, they can reach out to over 3 million people through the internet to give a dog their forever home. This account has become so large that they have made their own business called Lucy & Co. Their business sells products for dogs and gives their proceeds to help fund these awesome organizations so that they can continue changing dog’s lives. I personally felt good about spoiling my four-legged baby knowing that I was also helping pets in need! Blogger Baldwin Cunningham writes about the amazing business Dogs of Instagram has developed. He says, “Dogs of Instagram is a story with immense lessons for companies trying to understand and adapt to a new type of relationship with their customers.”

            All kinds of different people around the world are drawn to Dogs of Instagram because of their common interest and passion for dogs. Their account makes it fast and easy for people to help pets from many different locations. The account's simple format and cute captions attract even more people, and is the epitome of their fame. So many Instagram users love it so much that they will tell their friends about it or tag photos of their own dogs to share with all of the dog lovers, including myself. I decided to join in on the fun and made an account for my photos of my dog (shown on the left) to share with other dog lovers. I have come to know other people with my passions and have seen them featured on Dogs of Instagram occasionally. I have even developed a love for photography through this! Dogs of Instagram is definitely an account that I recommend people should check out because they have a great cause. If that’s not enough, go for the adorable puppies!

For more insight, check out Baldwin Cunningham’s article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/baldwincunningham/2015/11/19/what-dogs-of-instagram-can-teach-you-about-millennial-business/#43a6b6a07bd3

Social Media: The Good and the Bad

by Morgan Simpson

Social media has become a vital need for almost everyone. In 2012, less than 60 percent of the population had a social media profile. Today, nearly 80 percent use or maintain a social media account. Though there are many ways social media can be a helpful source, there are also many downfalls.

One of the many good things in social media is communication. Thousands of people are now connected around the world through this source. This has allowed individuals to discover and meet others that share the same interest. I believe that social media has changed many lives in the means of communication. This has also allowed businesses to connect with customers and learn their interests. Companies can now get a variety of opinions and varied results through their social media accounts. This has brought raising numbers to new businesses through networking. Also, many people rely on social media for immediate news and information. Weather, traffic, and news alerts provide users with quick, reliable information.

Though there are many good things about social media, there are also many downsides. Many people now rely on social media for self confirmation. Social media encourages users to be themselves, and although positive feedback sometimes occurs, negative feedback is greatly present. Communication has grown through networking, but has been a downfall to face to face conversations. Social media has allowed today's generation to hide behind the screen and avoid others. I believe users use this as a chance to express their true feelings, even though they may be harsh. This has also made the means of productivity downfall greatly. Whether people are out shopping for groceries or at work, it is a great distraction.

Social media has its pros and cons but, in our modern times, it can not be avoided. From many experiences, I believe social media has made good and bad impacts on many people. With the right intentions, it can be used as a positive resource. The number of users have continued to rise bringing both the good and the bad to a more prominent level. Though social media can be a helpful source, it can be just as much hurtful.

For another post similar to this, check out the link below:

http://unbounce.com/social-media/good-bad-and-ugly/