Seibel Machelle M - A womans book of yoga

A Womans Book of Yoga

Embracing
Our Natural
Life Cycles

M ACHELLE S EIBEL , M.D., and H ARI K AUR K HALSA

P HOTOGRAPHY BY R ALPH M ERCER

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book is complete and accurate. Neither the publisher nor the authors are engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions herein are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician. All matters regarding health require medical supervision. Neither the authors nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book. The opinions expressed in this book represent the personal views of the authors and not of the publisher.

The recipes in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reactions to the recipes in this book.

While the authors have made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and addresses, neither the publisher nor the authors assume any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication.

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Copyright 2002 by Machelle Seibel, M.D., and Hari Kaur Khalsa

Foreword, kriyas, meditations, and quotations copyright 19692002 Yogi Bhajan

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

Published simultaneously in Canada

Mind-Body Connection of Reproduction diagram on copyright 1993 Consumers Union of U.S. Inc., Yonkers, NY 10703, a nonprofit organization. Reprinted with permission for educational purposes only. No commercial use or photocopying permitted. To learn more about Consumers Union, log on to www.ConsumerReports.org.

Pregnancy Weight Record table on modified from Journal Babies, by M. M. Seibel and J. Stephenson (Apple Tree Press, 2000). Used with permission.

modified from The Soy Solution for Menopause: The Estrogen Alternative, by Machelle M. Siebel (Fireside, 2003). Used with permission.

Interior photographs by Ralph Mercer

Yoga poses demonstrated by Christine L. Fingado, Eric Gould, Melissa Johnston, Michele Laura, Shelly Loheed, and Ruthellen Perry

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Seibel, Machelle M.

A womans book of yoga : embracing our natural life cycles / Machelle Seibel and Hari Kaur Khalsa ; photography by Ralph Mercer.

p. cm.

ISBN: 978-1-440-62798-9

1. Yoga, Hatha. 2. WomenHealth and hygiene. 3. Exercise for women. 4. Yoga. I. Khalsa, Hari Kaur. II. Title.

RA781.7 .S434 2002 2002018699

613.7046dc21

Book design by Lee Fukui

Version_2

This project would not have been possible had I not had the good fortune to meet Yogi Bhajan, a master of Kundalini Yoga. Through my study with him, I have personally benefited from yoga and meditation practice and the yogic lifestyle. I have also had the great honor of being in his presence. The countless women who have benefited from his teachings continue to be inspired by and grateful for his tireless energy and limitless love and respect for women and all humankind.

I also dedicate this work to my mother, Gloria. She is truly a saintly woman: strong, patient, kind, compassionate, and noble. I am grateful to have had Gloria as a role model.

This book is the result of my friendship with Dr. Machelle Seibel, whose commitment to healing women reached far beyond his medical office. After attending my Kundalini Yoga classes and experiencing the benefits of yoga, meditation, and relaxation, Dr. Seibel was eager to incorporate these practices into his holistic approach to medicine. I believe this is truly a breakthrough project: a Western medical doctor working directly with a yogini to bring the best of both worlds together for the benefit of all women. Mache is a yogin, a healer, a scientist, and an artist. On behalf of myself, my yoga community, and all who will benefit from A Womans Book of Yoga, we extend our gratitude for the gift of your courage, your dedication to health and healing, and your compassion.

I am grateful to Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, my first yoga teacher, for his integrity in spreading these teachings so I could grow and become a teacher myself. We share a vision of light.

I also wish to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all my fellow yoga teachers. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to reach out to serve and help all those in need.

Thank you to my many wonderful students for their commitment and dedication to yoga. They are a constant source of inspiration.

Thank you to my husband, Dave, who has supported my work on every level. A Womans Book of Yoga could not have been completed without his help and personal support. I have a true yogic marriagetwo bodies, one soul. Thank you, Dave, for your creativity, guidance, spirit, love,... everything.

I also want to thank Katherine Roberts, a new yoga student, who helped with the preparation of the manuscript. Her input was invaluable, and I am grateful for her assistance.

Special thanks to: KRI, Irene Frank, Gilda Forte, Hari Charn Kaur Khalsa, Hari Simran Kaur Khalsa, Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa, Nam Kaur Khalsa, Peg Dowd and Janet Bonner, Gina Cronin, Ron Ponte, and Bill Graham for intelligent support on every levelyou are an excellent teacher, Ralph Mercer, Satya Kaur Khalsa, Manjit Kaur Khalsa, Jacob Braverman, Pat Hansen for ayurvedic healing recipes and advice, Dr. Kartar Singh Khalsa and his cleansing program, and Linda Chapman for providing the beautiful handmade yoga clothing for the models. And my appreciation to the models: Christine L. Fingado, Eric Gould, Melissa Johnston, Michele Laura, Shelly Loheed, and Ruthellen Perry.

Hari Kaur Khalsa

Long ago I realized that medicine was changing. The primary goal of medicine is no longer curing disease but helping people prevent it. When diseases and illnesses eventually do occur, it is the doctors mission not only to assist in the healing process but also to provide support and guidance while the patient mends. I wish to thank my patients for helping to teach me these lessons. I am also indebted to Hari Kaur Khalsa, my coauthor, for providing a magnificent role model for spiritual healinga healing art without which physical healing is incomplete. Thank you also to my wife, Sharon, and my children, Amy, Sherry, and Alex, for their support and love during the compilation of this book. I could not have completed it without their help and understanding.