Dear BuddhaBabes,
I'm getting married in June, and my wedding dress is a halter dress with a low back. I want to start working on sculpting my back (think Hilary Swank at the Oscars in 2005). I take a conditioning class and run at the gym, but I travel frequently for work. Can you recommend something to do outside the gym?
Janet D.

Dear Janet,
Congratulations! We advise strengthening your "lats" and "rhombs"—the muscle groups between and around your shoulder blades. For optimum results, along with your cardio workouts, try incorporating this simple exercise every other day:

Arch Angel
Lie on your stomach, arms extended up from your shoulders, legs about hip width apart

INhale: prepare

EXhale: contract abdominals and reach arms out and down by your sides; while rotating palms away from you, squeeze your shoulder blades together, as you lift up and forward

INhale: lower down

REPEAT: 5 times, on 5th repetition, hold for 10 counts

Challenge: repeat with legs lifted, hold for 10 counts

Dear BuddhaBabes,
I just wanted to say how much I loved your workshop, "Work Your Core for the Cure." I've been doing the sequence at home, and the results are evident in my new dress size! No more "bra bulge" for me, and I helped raise money for breast cancer awareness.
Can't wait for your next class!
Robin L.

Dear Stacey,
You've come to the right place! At our workshop in October, we offered a simple "Saddlebag Solution." This is ideal to incorporate anywhere—at the gym, in the living room, near the pool, even on your hotel bed (trust us, we've done it!).

Saddlebag Solution
Lie on right side with legs bent to 90-degree angle, extend left leg slightly and flex left foot

INhale: prepare

EXhale: 2 times while lifting leg up 2 counts and contracting abdominals deeply

INhale: 2 times while lowering leg down 2 times

REPEAT: 10 times

INhale: prepare

EXhale: lift left leg up one time, while contracting abdominals deeply

INhale: lower down

Repeat: 10 times