Elizabeth Heller - Fully Fertile: A Holistic 12-Week Plan for Optimal Fertility

Tamara Quinn, Elisabeth Heller & Jeanie Lee Bussell 2008, 2010

The rights of Tamara Quinn, Elisabeth Heller, and Jeanie Lee Bussell to be identified as the authors of this work have been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

First published by Findhorn Press 2008
2nd edition published by Findhorn Press 2010

ISBN: 978-1-84409-507-0

All rights reserved. The contents of this book may not be reproduced in any form, except for short extracts for quotation or review, without the written permission of the publisher.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Cover designed by Damian Keenan
Book designed by The Bridgewater Book Company (2008) and Thierry Bogliolo (2010) Printed and bound in China

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Jeanie, Beth and Tami would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their support, faith, and assistance in the creation of this book:

Jason Bussell, Matt Heller, Brian Quinn, Kevin and Courtney Quinn, Georgia, Jackson and Calvin Heller, Lorraine and Joseph Bilich, Tom and Jackie Timko, Goswami Kriyananda and the Temple of Kriya Yoga, Liz and John Heller, Hahlmohni, Um-ma and Ah-pah, Carol Thorne, Barb and Bill Quinn, Bussell and Lee Families, Dr. Huiyan Cai, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, The Physicians at Fertility Centers of Illinois, Penny Baxter, Lori Butler, Marie Davidson, Howard Hamilton, Trish Nealon, Mary Rowles, Dottie Jeffries, Thierry Bogliolo, Dr. Laura Berman, Stuart-Rodgers Photography, and Paulette Hicks.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our students and patients at Pulling Down the Moon who inspire us everyday.

Note:
Before applying any techniques described in this or any other nutrition, exercise, or holistic program, an individual should always consult and obtain professional medical advice, including from their doctor.

Not all of the techniques and exercises in this book may be suitable for all readers, and this and any other exercise program may result in physical injury. Women, whether pregnant or not, or men undergoing treatment for infertility should consult their doctor before beginning any exercise, yoga, or holistic program.

The patient-specific details, stories and narratives in this book have been altered to protect the patients confidentiality. Names and identifying characteristics of the people have been changed. Specific references to websites, books, or videos do not constitute an endorsement by the authors or the publisher.

As a practicing reproductive endocrinologist who treats couples suffering from a variety of infertility challenges, I believe that caring for the overall well-being of my patients yields the best success. I have seen the benefits of offering holistic adjuncts such as acupuncture, massage, nutrition and yoga to traditional IVF protocols. Fully Fertile has been a great resource for my patients who want to integrate these therapies into their medical treatment. For those who have decided not to undergo medical treatment, Fully Fertile provides a resource and home-based program helpful in demystifying the process. Through this program, patients can feel confident they are taking all the right steps toward greater mental and physical well-being.

The most important consideration to me when introducing patients to these Eastern modalities is trusting the holistic practitioners who will care for my patients. Pulling Down the Moon is clearly the best place for my patients to receive treatment. Tami Quinn and Beth Heller have created an inviting and comfortable sanctuary and a place of hope for my patients. Many of the women for whom I care have reported that they are less-stressed and more optimistic about the outcome of their treatment after participating in programs offered at Pulling Down the Moon. Fully Fertile is a great extension of the Pulling Down the Moon brand and clearly articulates how and why these adjunct therapies might be beneficial.

One of the leading reasons patients drop out of infertility treatment is due to stress. If I can give patients a way to empower themselves and reduce their anxiety in order to see them through to a successful outcome, I feel that I am providing something intangibly valuable. The meditations, yoga and various exercises recommended in the book are simple, easily accessible to all and are specifically meant to reduce the stress of infertility.

My colleagues and I are happy to partner with Pulling Down the Moon and wholeheartedly recommend Fully Fertile as an excellent companion to a patients fertility treatment. We have enjoyed the synergy of blending the best of Western and Eastern Medicine and believe these methods can ultimately benefit the patient.

Brian Kaplan, MD,
Reproductive Endocrinologist,
Fertility Centers of Illinois

Beth and Tami write:

They say that when the universe has a need, it manifests in many minds at the same time... or at least two. That was the case in the birth of Pulling Down the Moon. Tami and Beth were at a yoga center on Chicagos north shore when Tami asked if Beth could teach private yoga to a friend of hersa woman who was having trouble getting pregnant. Unfortunately, the woman was also her childrens teacher so working with her on such a sensitive issue felt a little too close for comfort. Beth was recovering from the stillbirth of her daughter, Georgia, and gathering her courage to re-enter the trying-to-conceive trenches. Beth had trouble getting pregnant with Georgia, and had used yoga extensively during the process. What Tami didnt know was that she had recently written a thesis on yoga for fertility and was planning to offer a fertility yoga class at the local studio where they both taught yoga. When she mentioned this to Tami, Tamis jaw dropped.

But I was going to offer a fertility yoga class, she said. Ive been working on it for months!

For a moment they just looked at each other, each sizing the other up. Then the teacher called everyone to their mats. Class was starting.

Well, they said, lets talk about it after class.

After class they started to share their thoughts on how yoga could help support fertility. Although Beth knew Tami had twins, she didnt realize that Tami was a former fertility patient, too. Their views were so remarkably similar that in the end they decided to join forces and work on a class together. They met for tea later in the week and began to dream about what they wanted to create...

It would be more than a yoga class. They wanted a place where women could come and learn about yoga philosophy and experience traditional healing methods with practitioners who specialized in fertility. They would have a tea room that would be the antithesis of a doctors waiting room. Thered be incense and candles burning, soft music, and beautiful things to look at.More than anything else... everyone there would get it.Theyd get the shots, the anxiety, the ovulation predictor kits; theyd get the misery of receiving another baby shower invitation or another unsuccessful cycle... And it would be called... it would be called...