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yoga

Travel to the Caribbean and bring some wellness home

Fruit Smoothies: I  have always been in love with fruit. Local fruits like apples, strawberries and melons grown from the garden or orchards are my favorite. In the Caribbean, there are tons of fruit, much of it grown locally and organically, flourishing in the constantly warm island soils of Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Bananas grown at Samasati Nature Retreat

Bananas grown at Samasati Nature Retreat

Recently I enjoyed the smoothies at Secrets Sanctuary, where I vacationed at while teaching yoga as a Fit Bodies Inc. professional. At Sanctuary, they know breakfast is king, and I will come forth and be that queen!! Breakfast proliferates with fresh fruit, juices and smoothies made to order. In Costa Rica, at the yoga sanctuary in Puerto Viejo, very talented sisters prepare breakfast delights in a vegetarian dining environment. There at Samasati, the entire daily menu is delicious. Then again, breakfast is my king and among the treats my favorite sits the fresh juices ranging from papaya, pineapple, watermelon and my most favorite; mango. You can’t buy mangoes so good here in Northern Kentucky and so I cherish each bite and sip.

Mango smoothies are full of vitamin C and taste like the Caribbean!

Mango smoothies are full of vitamin C and taste like the Caribbean!

So I eat my breakfast like being on a Caribbean vacation everyday when I’m at home, too. Especially during the hot and humid summer days, a fresh smoothie fits the bill. It’s all-possible now with my “serious blender” blender.

Here are some of my favorite smoothie combinations. If your blender isn’t so serious, just cut the fruit into pieces that your blender can handle. The ingredient amounts are not very strict, so use what you have around, trying new creations all the time. Fruit smoothies are a wonderful way to supply your body with a proper supply of fruit each day. I suggest the fruit be properly ripe, or slightly over-ripe. (If a fruit looks a little too ripe to eat, then it’s probably perfect smoothie material.) And if each smoothie isn’t the best new creation ever you have every come up with, do not worry- just try again next time!
Rewarding your conscientious eating habit by providing yourself local or organic fruit. Frozen fruit is good in place of ice in smoothies. I suggest organic frozen fruit for best results.
Have fun smoothie-ing your creation and live a strong day!

Summer garden smoothie. Use this combination with whatever is ripe at the moment in place of the watermelon.
1/3 cup ice
Couple mint leaves
Couple stevia sprigs
2 cups watermelon

Morning Go Time. Great breakfast. Light and fluffy yet sustains the body and mind until lunch.
1 banana
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/3 c vanilla almond or vanilla hemp milk
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed
1 Tablespoon wheat germ

Morning Go Time with Extra Protein.
1 banana
1 cup froz. Strawberries
½ c vanilla almond or vanilla hemp milk
2 T peanut butter
1 Tablespoon wheat germ

Orange machine
1 cup cantaloupe
1/3 cup baby carrots, or cut them smaller
1 clementine, mandarin or about ½ of an orange
About ¼ cup water
2 teaspoons of agave nectar
A few mint sprigs

Fruit in the Caribbean

Fruit in the Caribbean

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana video

Zoetry Agua is world-class wellness resort hosting Fit Bodies Inc. fitness professionals. Fit Bodies Inc. has weekly opportunities for professional fitness instructors looking to vacation while sharing their special teaching talents with resort guests.

Fit Bodies Inc. welcomes open arrival and departure dates for Dominican Republic resorts. With direct flights from so many popular departure cities, the Dominican Republic looks forward to hosting you.

Your questions and concerns regarding travel as a fitness instructor are always welcome. Email Fit Bodies Inc.

In April, I experienced Zoetry Agua and would like to share our video with you.

“Here on the striking northeast coast of the Dominican Republic, you are welcomed to our all-suite oasis of cane-thatched sanctuaries. Limited to just 53 exclusive suites, their hardwood floors and natural stone accents harmonize with the lush, secluded oceanfront setting. Located just an hour away from the Punta Cana International Airport, the spirit here is far, far removed from the hectic tempo of everyday living. ”

Teaching fitness at Zoetry Agua Punta Cana

Zoetry Resorts offer guests a safe-haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. The special opportunity of providing wellness classes to their guests have been granted to Fit Bodies Inc. fitness professionals. Traveling through Fit Bodies Inc. as a fitness professional offers the chance to offer resort guests the most important vacation souvenir of all; Improved wellness, be it mental, physical or emotional health.

Fitness professionals choosing to teach and stay at a Zoetry Resort are offered many of the same Endless Privileges® package details offered to the guests. The resort has two casual restaurants and one fine dining option, expansive guest suites, 24-hour room service and is always catering to every need of guests in all 51 suites. Zoetry Agua is known for fresh, organically grown food options and ecologically safe practices throughout the property.

Very recently I took the opportunity to visit Zoetry Agua Punta Cana while teaching yoga for Fit Bodies Inc. at Dreams Punta Cana. This resort and its location is a very special experience for the fitness professional who decide the position is right for them. Zoetry Agua requests one fitness professional at a time that specializes in either yoga and meditation or pilates and aqua aerobics. Fit Bodies Inc. is allowing pros to book non-Sunday to Sunday travel days and also those professionals looking to travel for longer than a week may consider this a good option.

Many of Zoetry’s guests are at special times of their lives. Pre-natal getaway seekers have been known to travel here and catering to those needs may be necessary. Fit Bodies Inc. instructors will offer group, small group and private lessons while staying in guest accommodations at the resort. The aqua fitness is in gorgeous pool so students face the ocean. The spa is a gorgeous place to hold classes either in the open, breezy lounge area outside or next to the indoor pool, listening to the warm, soothing sound of the waterfall. Teachers here will instruct in the most beautiful settings and offer a special experience to their students.

Zoetry Agua is a small, very private resort and should be considered a luxurious and relaxing teaching opportunity for the guest teacher. For the teacher considering a private, personal retreat I think this is perfect. Guest instructors, as always are able to have a guest accompany them. You and your guest will enjoy luxurious indulgences, without the guilt!

If you are interested in viewing the booking details to teach fitness at Zoetry Agua Punta Cana you need to log in to your Fitness Pro Travel account. Creating a Fitness Pro Travel account is free and you may fill out an application to have access to view teaching vacation opportunities.
Fit Bodies Inc. has been sending qualified fitness professionals on vacations since 1995.

Relax by the pool at Zoetry Agua

Relax at the pool- Zoetry Agua

Activities Galore at Dreams Punta Cana

Dreams Punta Cana activities are never-ending!! It’s difficult to know where to begin!
Activities begin at 9 A.M. with the Fit Bodies Inc. guest instructor teaching stretching, then aerobics, both on the stage facing the ocean.The Core Zone for teenagers is outstanding and if you travel here with your teens you may never see them. Not to worry, adults are welcome there, too! The Core Zone includes: billiards, archery, a batting cage, a climbing wall, a mechanical bull, snacks, Wii, Playstation and practically whatever you can name, they provide. General activities oriented for teenagers are stretching, Spanish lessons, soccer games, water polo, water balloon fights, ping-pong and volleyball tournaments. Some nights is also a teen disco.

Explorer’s Club is children only, aged 3-12, and activities are from 9 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. Once a week there is a camp-out for the kids, too. There are no parents allowed and they will give you a cell phone in case you need to be reached. There is a Kid’s Club for children under 3 for part of the day as well. The resort’s staff is CPR and Red Cross first-aid trained. On today’s Explorer’s Club schedule is a bike tour, Earth day celebration (they plant trees) with a picnic, water polo, a giant Connect Four tournament, bottle painting, a face painting competition, dinner, movie and a mini-fashion show. The activities vary everyday.

We spotted flamingos and peacocks-Beautiful birds!

We spotted flamingos and peacocks-Beautiful birds!

For the kids of all ages, the activities are as non-stop as my flight into PUJ. Despite all the activities, your experience can be as simple as the pool, beach, cold drinks (top-shelf liquors, by the way), and naps. For more engagement, there are the fitness activities, Spanish lessons, Bocce ball, beach volleyball, horse shoes, Olympic game competitions and even more activities. The activities change everyday. Right now there is excitement just outside our patio door as the pool volleyball matches continue. Coming this summer is paintball! Tonight is the beach party and I know the limbo competition will be fun and hilarious! I cannot wait!

The spa appears fantastic! There is a huge koi pond and some are very big and fun to watch. The prices for spa services are very fair and a huge variety of services are offered with specials everyday. Above the spa is the fitness center, open daily from 6 A.M.-8 P.M. and it is big and clean. Three treadmills, free weights, brand new nautilus equipment, stair climbers, elliptical; you name it, they have it. This is a well equipped gym. The gym use is included for everyone’s use. There is also a Wellness Center within the spa and this includes sauna, plunge pool, hot tub, steam room, really neat massage shower but this is not included in the all-inclusive package for guests. The cost is $30 for one day or $85 for a weekly pass. Many spa services include an hour of Wellness Center time.

There are additional activities off the resort, from dune buggy tours, Segway tours, horseback riding, and scuba excursions. You can also tour more areas of Dominican Republic from the resort, such as traveling to Santo Domingo (the first city of the new world discovered by Christopher Columbus), The tour staff here are more than happy to help you plan your outward excursion.

Again, this resort has the best entertainment I have ever seen!

To learn more about traveling to teach your fitness specialty of yoga, pilates, group fitness, tennis or personal training visit Fit Bodies Inc.

These fish are always hungry!

Every morning is a beautiful morning for yoga

A day at Zoetry Agua Punta Cana

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana is located just minutes from Dreams Punta Cana. It is very small, only 51 rooms, so being a part of the guest’s wellness experience is very personal.

This resort has a gorgeous beach. It is very long and I would approximate at least 250 yards, all lined with palm trees. This beach is kept in pristine condition. For a person that wants to walk or run alongside this white and hot-sanded beach, it’s expansive and smooth. There may be another resort close by, but I did not see it nor any people other than the guests basking under grass-covered umbrellas on Agua’s beach.

A restaurant named Indigo sits oceanfront offering International fare for lunch and dinner in a casual setting. There are cold drinks and comfortable couches to sit back and watch the waves roll by. Next to Indigo is the best pool area for aqua aerobics with a wooden deck perfect for you to stand on while teaching.
There are two additional restaurants. Open all day is Amaya, which is casual Spanish and Dominican cuisine. And finally, Fork is a fusion of International cuisine in a fine dining setting with rare vintage wines included. The combination of fine dining within the open and breezy room is truly unique. If you are too relaxed to leave your room for dinner, then 24-hour room service is included with your Endless Privileges™ package.

Walking through this resort I spot a number of perfect areas for pilates, yoga or meditation classes. Personally, I am a shade-dweller and would choose the spa are. The spa’s terrace is designed with wooden floors and pergola. The breezes drift through the open walls. Or take the class indoor the spa, listening to the pool fountain.

The walkways are full of well-maintained gardens of flowers and exotic Caribbean plants. Stand on a bridge and feed healthy koi fish while their colors and movement captivate your attention.

For extra indulgence you seek, visit the spa and choose a service you are craving. The prices are fair and services diverse. The Zoetry Resorts are renowned for their spa services and ambiance so please indulge in at least one spa service for yourself.

To view availability for you to teach at Zoetry Agua, you may read it’s detailed description, and view more photos at Fitness PRO Travel.

Zoetry Infinity pool-perfect for aqua aerobics classes

Zoetry Infinity pool-perfect for aqua aerobics classes

First day teaching at Secrets Sanctuary

Punta Cana’s airport is cool and welcoming. The airport roof is grass and they have super big ceiling fans to keep the indoor spaces breezy. We were greeted with smiles everywhere and lots of positive energy. It was easy to move through customs, collect luggage and move on to a taxi service outside. Per person, there is a US $10 entry-tax when you arrive. The gentlemen running the taxi services are friendly and we found the $30 taxi rate to the hotel very acceptable. After the 15-minute drive, our driver made sure we made it to check-in without confusion. BTW “Sanctuary” is not a Spanish word and the taxi drivers did not understand us at first. Secrets “Sanctuario” is better understood.

We waited only 10 minutes for our room, which was impressive since we arrived prior to check-in time. Our room is beautiful and I like the location, as I have realized we are in close proximity to all the resort activities. Words really cannot describe the style and beauty of this resort. I want to call it beach contemporary, but really it is so much more elegant and majestic. As for how the resort is ran, so far the word constantly coming to mind is “immaculate.”

Secrets Sanctuary is the most elegant, relaxing resort I have ever visited. Everything is immaculate from check-in, to the service all the way to the pristine gardens surrounding this huge property. The resort only has 175 rooms but based on the property grounds you would think they could host an army. There is space to go anywhere and call it your own. There are two beaches here. The beach pictured from our balcony is relatively small but spacious with beach chairs everywhere. No pressure to be out early for the sake of claiming beach or pool chairs. They are plentiful. But on the other side of the resort is a huge, expansive and smooth beach where in the nighttime distance you can see the airport runway lights. We had a lovely dinner at “Wok” the Asian restaurant. I love sushi and can tell you this sushi is very good. Very fresh and the service was excellent. Walking around the resort at night is an activity in itself and I could spend every night here doing this exact same thing.

Carlos called me to introduce himself as the assistant activities director and I met him during our poolside lunch yesterday. He is very nice and was very gracious and receptive to my presence. I forgot to ask him where the yoga mats are, so I will track them down today for the remaining classes this week.
I taught a private yoga session today but expect more students as the week progresses. During breakfast I introduced myself to some guests and told them about the yoga classes being taught this week. Through the week I will continue the shameless self-promotion of the wellness programming at Secrets Sanctuary.

Learn more about Fit Bodies Inc. and travel to an all-inclusive resort to teach your fitness specialty.

"I have no problem falling asleep and waking up to this view"

Dominican Republic, here we come!

First stop, Dominican Republic!! Woo hoo!
Chad and I leave Saturday for my teaching vacation in Punta Cana. Oh my, Saturday is tomorrow~!   I found us a direct flight from Cincinnati at a very reasonable price. We come home on a direct flight the following Saturday. I’m noting the “direct flight” part as since it should truly cut down the length of a typical Caribbean travel day and this makes me smile.
I am preparing my yoga classes, mostly through experience and practicing rather than flash cards with Sanskrit names. Some of them I know from experience but I am finding it is much better for me to spend time explaining what the body and breath are doing during the asanas then to know their names. So far I know the resort is gorgeous, the yoga room is out on the water and looks super cool, and I will be teaching two classes everyday, at 9:30am and 5pm. In Newport, I teach to friends and acquaintances for free in my home. At the resort, I will be teaching to people who speak other languages and will probably be older than my friends at home. My peers are lucky to find yoga because they have so much time to incorporate yoga into their lives. But I really enjoy teaching people who have given their bodies hell for years and years because they feel it more easily, so to speak. They have lived long enough in their bodies without yoga, that the practice’s affects are obvious to them. It’s gratifying teaching others to breathe more deeply and to know what it feels like to stretch and breath into a straight spine. Maybe what I’m really saying is I enjoy teaching beginner’s yoga?
I know regardless of how nervous I am, once I arrive at the resort my anxiety will be relieved with the cool cloth handed to me upon check-in. Already I imagine introducing myself to these new students of mine, and I smile just thinking about it. While at the resort, my classes will be dedicated to their satisfaction, regardless of their previous yoga experience. I look forward to providing them with the yoga experience they deserve to have while vacationing.
We still have much to do before departing Cincinnati tomorrow morning. Oh, and I need to brush up on my Español.
Hasta la próxima!

Lisa Fit Pro April 25-30“>