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Childbearing & Mothering
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LUNA
YOGA
book review by Christina
Francine
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Luna Yoga
Adelheid Ohlig
Ash Tree Publishing 1994
PB 192
Reviewed by: Christina Francine
Women are women, not men, and deserve to follow
their natural femininity. That's what Luna Yoga is
about. The book isn't just about exercises; it's about attitude,
an embracing empowering one.
This type of yoga isn't new. It's an old philosophy
and healing art. Indications show the origins of yoga to be
feminine, but today yoga is thought to be a man's expertise.
In a man's world women learn to look, think, act, and walk
like a man. Adelheid teaches that there is nothing wrong with
being a woman with natural body movements, with our moody
moods and freely moving hips.
Adelheid uses evidence with care and discrimination,
but not everyone will be open to her theories. Some will call
her a feminist and a New Ager, as if those are bad things
to be. Some will refuse to hear her out. Luna Yoga
is directed towards women seeking natural ways in healing
and/or maintaining health, especially in the fertile and sexual
areas.
Luna Yoga Contains
(in this order):
· Introduction
· Publisher's Preface
· Editor's Preface
· Why Luna Yoga?
· Author's Foreword
· Part One - The Roots of Luna Yoga
· Part Two - Using Luna Yoga
· Part Three - Luna Yoga Exercises
· Part Four - Luna Yoga Healing Sequences
· Part Five - Sensuous and Sensible Additions
· Part Six - The End, and the Beginning
· Resources and Further Reading
Adelheid presents the reader with well-constructed
work that covers theories from research along with experiences
that instruct, inform, and empower. She discuses technical
and factual information gathered about her experience. Adelheid
brings classic yoga together with Aviva Steiner's menstrual
calisthenics and provides detailed instructions for breathing
exercises, sketched illustrations, tribal fertility dances,
and recipes. Her content is original, her style of presenting
and authenticity of facts -excellent. She wrote Luna Yoga
in second person making her encouraging words come alive.
It began for Adelheid when a diagnosis confirmed
cervical cancer and her search led to an alternative besides
surgery. She studied her life style, lack of satisfaction
with inner longings, and wondered if they had anything to
do with the cancer growing inside her. "Cancer is
a very strong signal. It shows you are bored with life."
Therefore, Adelheid decided to quit her job, discover
alternative medicine, and take time for herself. After she
studied with Aviva Steiner, another test later revealed a
class 1 PAP; healthy cells.
Excerpt From the Book:
" Luna Yoga works by stimulating and tonifying the
endocrine system. With great probability, due to the intense
concentration on our sexual organs, a feedback cycle is formed
with the pituitary gland which directs our entire endocrine
system. The gentle sensing exercises, the focusing of our
breath on the sexual organs, and the dances all help to regulate
our hormones."
Publisher Susun Weed says this about the book:
" I went to Adelheid's class expecting the usual
breathing, stretching, and meditating. What a delightful surprise
to find myself in the midst of a quiet revolution in the way
yoga is offered to women."
Editor Amy Sophia Maroshinsky says this:
" Adelheid writes of the importance of menstruation
and the need for women to heal and empower themselves."
I'd never tried yoga before, but Adelheid's book inspired
me to place my body into unusual positions. At first, I felt
apprehensive, but later found the exercises liberating. I
suspect further examination into this style of yoga is in
my future.
MEET THE WISE WOMAN CENTER TEACHERS
shaUna Owlsong is presently attending Birthwise
Midwifery School in Maine, the beginning of her journey as
a homebirth midwife. She will soon be moving to Massachusetts
to apprentice with a homebirth midwife there. She apprenticed
and interned with Susun Weed for 13 months and has apprenticed
with herbalists Ellen Hopman and Pam Montgomery as well. She
lives in reverence of the sacredness of all beings and manifests
her connection with life in her dedication to sacred birth
experiences for women and families. shaUna leads ceremony
and offers herbal consultations and birth support. Email shaUna
Owlsong at summerayne@wildmail.com for permission to reprint
this article and for workshop and consultation information.
You can spend time with shaUna Owlsong during her workshops
this summer at the Wise Woman Center, in
Woodstock NY: www.susunweed.com/WiseWomanCenter.htm
July 17, 2004: Her Sacred Yoni
(www.susunweed.com/Workshops.htm)
Build an alter to the beauty and power of your sacred yoni.
Invoke the mysteries, chant, dance, dream, create, experience.
We will learn about ancient yoni worship, herbs for our yoni's,
and more. Bring an item for the alter.
July 18, 2004: Wisdom of the Fertility
Goddess (www.susunweed.com/Workshops.htm)
Let's journey together and uncover ancient women's wisdom.
We will learn about charting our cycles, increasing fertility,
contraception, and methods of "bringing on the moon".
Wear something red.
Each day: $50-75 (includes lunch). $25 deposit.
To register for Wise Woman Center workshops,
send deposit (see specific workshop for deposit amount) and
indicate which workshop you want to attend and contact info:
Wise Woman Center PO Box 64, Woodstock,
NY 12498
Fax questions to: 1-845-246-8081
You may also choose to pay by credit card:
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
Please send us email,
to confirm availability, before registering online.
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Weed Wanderings herbal ezine is sponsored by
www.susunweed.com and www.wisewomanbookshop.com
Susun Weed is one of America's best-known authorities
on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books--recommended by expert herbalists and well-known
physicians--are used and cherished by millions of women globally. Topics
include childbearing, breast health, menopause, wellbeing, and
more.
The Wise Woman Center exists to re-weave the healing
cloak of the Ancients. This land is sacred, it is a safe space for
women, and a place for the teachings of the Wise Woman Way. The Goddess
lives here, as do goats, fairies, green witches, and elders. There
are many classes, workshops and intensives that are offered at the
Wise Woman Center.
For a schedule of events, please call, write or e-mail us.
©Susun Weed -Wise Woman Center
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