Luna Yoga
Adelheid Ohlig
Ash Tree Publishing 1994
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.
As a woman who believes women are as good as
men, only different, I agree with her philosophies and exercises.
A book worth looking into. Recommended.
Christina
Francine's published work has appreared in magazines, newsletters,
newspapers, and the Internet. Fiction includes Fantasy, Children's,
and Suspense. Non-fiction includes Herbs, Horses, Tips and
Public-Awareness. She's published multiple book reviews for
authors, publishers, and publications. Also software reviews.
As an advocate for migrainers she offers information, help
and LINKS at
www.cfrancine.bizland.com
Her Motto: "Pursue Your Dreams and Live!"
Moon Days...
Creative Writings About Menstration
edited by Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D
a great collection of women's writings on menstruation, edited by
Cassie Preemo Steele, twenty-six writers explore the "silent"
parts of women's lives; reawakening menstruation memories of embarrassment
and shame and transforming them to wonder, excitement, and laughter.
176 pages, illustrations. .
available through Ash
Tree Publishing
Price: $13.95
Order MOON DAYS in our Bookshop
Click
here to learn more about Moon Days
Read
an Excerpt: Amazons in Appalachia
Read
an Excerpt: The Woman's Dinner
Wise Woman Center -- Workshops
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