Conditioning Your Body
I have kept fifty pounds off for three years with Zumba, combined with other disciplines and body conditioning. I have skipped several plateaus and targeted stubborn areas...motherhood will do that to you! Losing weight, building cardio capacity, energy level, mobility, strength and flexibility requires regular practice of cardio, stretching, toning, tension-release, sufficient hydration, sufficient sleep and balanced diet. Improve all areas of your physical condition by stretching, hydrating and taking care of yourself.

Stretch
I encourage you to stretch everyday...particularly the "stubborn areas." Wherever you hold tension, injury, trauma in your body, blood/energy circulation decreases in the dense muscle tissue. Nerves, fat, ligaments around those tense muscles become "stuck," indicating a need to loosen up the area. Create space in your body so that waste material, such as fat, can be circulated out more easily. Yoga is a perfect way to do this. But even if you cannot make it to a yoga class, just stretching throughout the day, in front of the TV at night and first thing in the morning can get your body going and help ease tension.

Drink More
Get your 8 GLASSES of H20 everyday! I am guilty of not doing this sometimes...but it is so important. It is easy to get dehydrated and your body's water needs to be replenished consistently to keep everything circulating in and out! Ice water, hot water with lemon, green tea, chai infusions...jazz it up!

Take Care of Yourself
I teach five classes a week, practice lightly once or twice a week, and go to pilates here and there. I yoga for 20 minutes before class and stretch all the time throughout the day. I invest in professional neuromuscular care by getting regular acupuncture, massages, negative pressure therapies, and staying relaxed. My muscle conditioning team consists of several people featured below.

MUSCLE CARE
Lucky for me I am married to a neuromuscular therapist who specializes in muscle conditioning for athletes, martial artists, dancers and people suffering pain, tension, fatigue, injury, unsuccessful traditional therapy techniques, as well as for weight loss. He has helped many people get rid of pain, regain energy level and range of motion through a blend of therapies, using principles of martial arts and holistic therapies.

• Negative pressure therapy is the use of cups to create a vaccuum on the area of tension; drawing lactic acid and stagnated blood from the muscles to the skin level where it can fade away.

• Acupressure targets pressure points in your body to help stimulate nerve function and circulation. Light Electric stimulation relaxes your muscles grip on your bones, organs and tissue while therapeutic oils nourish your senses and help you mentally relax.

• Basic martial arts stretches are given to practice regularly, targeting areas of pain, scarring, fat and immobility. It is regular muscle care that allows me to stay limber, combat life's aches and pains and keep my energy up to Zumba with so many people! If you would like more information on therapy services, email me ttanya@zumbadistrict.com or my Eric at acuhands@yahoo.com or you can visit www.youngliving/org/acuhands www.youngliving.org/acuhands

ACUPUNCTURE
For the occasional tune-up, energy boost, deep acupoint stimulation or getting over a plateau, I enjoy a relaxing, restorative, rehabilitaive acupuncture session with Deb Early. www.earlyacupuncture.com

YOGA
For personal yoga training or group sessions, Hannah Willman will give you a powerful workout, restorative practice, oxygenating, space-opening, entertainingly upbeat yoga experience. www.comehometoyoga.com