by Nischala Joy Devi Dean Ornish M.D. - The Healing Path of Yoga: Time-Honored Wisdom and Scientifically Proven Methods That Alleviate Stress, Open Your Heart, and Enrich Your Life

T HE H EALING P ATH OF Y OGA is an open-ended journey that began long before I knew there would ever be a book of that name. The courage to even tread on this glorious path was nourished at first by my two remarkable parents, who believed with their whole hearts that I was the greatest blessing in their lives. With their gentle guidance and love they allowed me to be the person I have become. I am sure they are now the ever-present angels guiding me through life.

To my earth angel, the love of my life, best friend, and playmate, Bhaskar Deva, who makes everything in my life more joyous and fun. Even during my tenth rewrite of a chapter his love for me made me smile.

I have been very blessed in my life to have had loving guidance from many people. I know they rejoice with me that this book is now available.

I am forever grateful for the years of insight and guidance into the teachings and practices of yoga that I received from my guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda.

To Dean Ornish, M.D., for believing that a Yoga-based program could reverse heart disease and for taking the time from his extremely busy schedule to write the foreword.

Thanks to Michael Lerner, Ph.D., and the Commonweal Cancer Help Team for the experience and knowledge that I gained in developing and serving that great program.

I learned so much from the members of my clinical team at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, who patiently listened to my concerns about the physical and subtle bodies not being included in their vast traditional medical training.

All the problem-solving done with yoga teachers, who were teaching people with life-threatening diseases, stocked my mental files, encouraging me to be very creative in my advice.

To my dear friends and cheering section: Gwynn Sullivan; Swamis Vidyananda, Ramananda; Vajra Matasow; Kevin Cates; Lakshmi Fjord, Janet Whitman, and Bill Bilawa, who were among the many people who said, You should write a book. Especially to Julie Lusk, who not only said it to me, but to her agent, who responded, I love it, lets publish it! This was the beginning of my dream team. Combining the skills, love, encouragement, and guidance of my agent, Loretta Barrett, and editor, Shaye Areheart, was like heart and heartbeat. To both of them and their great teams, who skillfully soothed my apprehensions on more than one occasion, for producing a beautiful and inspiring book.

To Kacie Woodard for the preliminary drawings and to Cassi Stish for her grace and skill in excecuting real people drawings. To Sabina Vogt for the photos and flexibility.

To my dear editor friends, Radihka Miller and Prakash Shakti Capen, whose velvet fingers helped to edit and transform unfinished sentences into readable thoughts.

To my sweet and patient friends Robin Gueth, for her copywriting and publicity tips; Debra Kesten who answered Publishing 101 questions; Jeffrey Kroeber, and Richard Fairbanks for endless help, patience, and mercy for the technically impaired.

To my in-laws, Ronald and Beverly Gross, Dayle, Ken, Emily, and Jordan Myers and Mark Gross, whose love and support of me exemplify the benefits of yoga and change in-law to in-love.

I give a deep and heartfelt bow to all the people with heart disease and other life-threatening diseases who taught me about the healing power of love and compassion. And to those who whispered in my heart, Tell my story, I thank you for the inspiration.

I bow to those who were courageous enough to try almost anything to help themselves heal. Because of your courage, so much was learned that is now benefiting not just a few but many. I thank you and they thank you.

All who cheered me on and believed in me: If I have not mentioned your name, forgive me, you are always in my heart.