Did You Know…

…that picking dark chocolate over white or milk chocolate can be beneficial to your health? Cocoa powder in dark chocolate contains cocoa phenyl antioxidant flavonoids called epicatechins. Similar flavonoids can be found in the skins and seeds of plants such as grapes, berries and plum skins. The variety found in cocoa is more concentrated than the antioxidants contained in green tea, red wine, berries and plum skins. Dark chocolate’s flavonoid powerhouses are cardio (heart) protective. They help to:

* Reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol;
* Prevent platelets from forming clots that cause heart attacks and strokes;
* Slow the hardening of arteries;
* Decrease moderate high blood pressures;
* Decrease insulin resistance;
* Increase insulin sensitivity; and
* Increase the metabolism of glucose (sugar).

DEEP RELIEF RECOMMENDS

Stretching your IT band after cycling, running, kitesurfing, and other leg-heavy sports. Here’s a GREAT way to open up your lateral leg.

	While wearing tennis shoes, place your right foot behind your left with the outside edge resting on the ground. Keep your right knee straight and your left knee slightly bent.
	Slowly bend forward as if to touch your toes. Identify where you begin to feel tension–anywhere along the outside of your lower leg, IT band, or hip is fine. This stretch will focus on your tightest area.
	To increase the stretch, increase the bend in your left knee while keeping the right knee straight. Walk your finger tips along the floor to the left and feel for an increased stretch.

Hold this stretch for 20-60secs, slowly unwind, and repeat on the opposite side.

A big Mahalo to our model Maria Souza from http://www.fit4oceansports.com.

Water Time: No visit to the Mecca of surfing is complete without some water time. Even when the surf is pounding, there are some areas that are calm and even glassy for stand up paddling. Take a lesson with Maria Souza Ocean Sports Education in Maui (or make arrangements for a workshop of 2 or 3 days at your location), check with the lifeguards or local surf shops for recommendations on where to paddle out. Make sure you have some experience and knowledge on your side before venturing out in the swells or flat water. Never underestimate the power of moving water whether it is in the form of waves or flat water currents.

Hi maria, You are an inspiration through power of example. I had such a great time I could not stop talking about my lesson with you. How thorough you were with stretching, and constant educating throughout the whole class. Through this sharing of my wonderful experience to about 260 something coworkers out here in Kapalua Bay. Someone told me you were previously married to surf icon Mr Hamilton. Without getting personal and with all due respect I commend you as a strong Mom to successfully have juggled the responsibility to raise a child and also to have the patience to teach such a unique sport with such professionalism and passion as you do,and to have obtained all your personal achievements which I find so grand. Keep up the fantastic work. Your a gifted individual.

jim bouhuys

Author : erik
Comment:
hi, maria: I just came across your SUP site -- very interesting.  Now, I wonder
if you might say a few words about your use of the hula hoop.  it looks to me as
if it's part of your lesson strategy, which is something I've not seen done or
recommended before.  could you tell me about it?  i run a little website called
www.howtostanduppaddlesurf.com and, if it's okay with you, would like to use
your response and a pic or two from your site on my site, with a link so people
can find you here.  think that'd be okay?

I apologize the loss of the pictures of the lessons and the wonderful testimonials and comments from you, my site got updated and information was lost. Keep posted for lots more and Thank YOU for honoring me the privilege to teach you and be part of the Ocean Family,

Maria

View all your Stand-Up Paddle photos here….