We recommend the following magazine articles, books, and online resources as good sources of information about yoga & fertility health issues.

A R T I C L E :
Does Yoga Really Help?
by Monica Morell, PhD.
Published in

October 2004

Increasing numbers of women are using yoga to complement traditional Western medical treatments for infertility. Many women are turning to yoga mats because, as one woman in my yoga program said, "I knew the medical community could probably help me get pregnant, but with every failed cycle I felt like my personal well-being was dwindling away, and they didn't exactly have a prescription for that."

In fact, some doctors recommend yoga to women seeking a holistic approach to their infertility. The medical community is now recognizing what yoga practitioners have always known: broadly viewed, yoga is a way to relax and reduce stress.

Read the full article reprint at The National Infertility Association website.

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A R T I C L E :
When You Want to Have a Baby…But Can’t
by Judith Hanson Lasatar
Published in

An increasing number of couples are living with the devastating effects of infertility. Rather than looking for answers at the infertility clinic or sperm bank, however, couples have found their search has ended on the yoga mat. Yoga is fertile ground for transformation. Today, pragmatic couples are using the yoga practices to increase their chances of pregnancy by lowering stress levels, allowing the energy centered in the pelvis to flow freely, and opening up and softening the pelvic organs.

Incorporating the health-enhancing benefits of yoga with traditional and innovative medical intervention can relieve the stress associated with infertility, thus vastly increasing the chances for conception.

Read the full article at yogajournal.com

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WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL HAS ACHIEVED
complete understanding of her true self, she will no longer be disturbed by the distracting influences within and around her.

- from the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

B O O K :
Living Your Yoga:
Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life
by Judith Lasater

In Living Your Yoga, Judith Lasater stretches the meaning of yoga beyond its familiar poses and breathing techniques to include the events of daily life—all of them—as practice. Using the time-honored wisdom of the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita to steer the course, the author serves up off-the-mat practices to guide you in deepening your relationships with yourself, your family and friends, and the world around you. Inspiring and practical, she blends her heartfelt knowledge of an ancient tradition with her life experiences as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and yoga practitioner and teacher. The result is a new yoga that beckons you to find the spiritual in everyday life.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
The Heart of Yoga:
Developing a Personal Practice
By T.K.V. Desikachar

This is the first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to the age-old principles of yoga. Desikachar discusses all the elements of yoga--poses and counterposes, conscious breathing, meditation, and philosophy--and shows how the yoga student may develop a practice tailored to his or her current state of health, age, occupation, and lifestyle.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
Creative Visualization:
Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life
by Shakti Gawain

Gawain explains how to use mental imagery and affirmations to produce positive changes in one’s life. The book contains meditations and exercises that are aimed at helping a person channel energies in positive directions, strengthen self-esteem, improve overall health, and experience deep relaxation.
Available at amazon
 

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B O O K :
Wherever You Go, There You Are:
Mindfulness Meditation in Every day Life
by Jon Kabat-Zinn

A simple and straightforward introduction to Buddhist meditation practice from one of the country’s leading authorities on stress-reduction techniques, Wherever You Go, There You Are has as its goal a personal transformation of the listener.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
What Every Woman Should Know About Fertility And Her Biological Clock
by Cara Birrittieri

Until now, there has been little practical advice on what women can do about ticking biological clocks. This book is the first book to explore a woman’s reproductive life span completely, from beginning to end. The author shows women for the first time how to ‘tell what time it is” with a simple blood test that gives them a peek at the state of their ovaries. Plus, she provides women with a plan of action long before they run out of time.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
The Infertility Diet:
How to Get Pregnant and Prevent Miscarriage
by Fern Reiss

Eat your way to pregnancy! The Infertility Diet is a nutritional approach to fertility enhancement and miscarriage prevention. Endorsed by infertility doctors across the country, this book is based on over 500 medical studies linking fertility and nutrition, and is a groundbreaker in the field. The essential diet for anyone trying to have a baby.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
Inconceivable:
A Woman's Triumph over Despair and Statistics
by Julia Indichova

A memoir of hope for the thousands of women struggling with infertility, from one who beat the odds by simply tuning in to her body and tapping her well of sheer determination. Unlike the many infertility books that take a clinical “how to” approach, Inconceivable simply professes the wisdom of giving expert status back to the patient. Julia’s self-discovery, and her ability to see her body as an ally once again, yield a beautiful message about the importance of honoring the body’s innate powers, and the power of life itself.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
Helping the Stork:
The Choices & Challenges of Donor Insemination
by Carol Frost Vercollone, et al.

The sourcebook for all the information parents-to-be need to know about the choices and challenges of donor insemination.
Available at amazon

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B O O K :
Conquering Infertility:
Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping With Infertility
by Alice Domar

In Conquering Infertility, Harvard psychologist Dr. Alice Domar provides infertile women with what they need most: stress relief, support, and hope. She provides information on: sustaining a career during infertility, coping when friends and family members become pregnant, navigating the medical maze, what to do when infertility threatens your belief in God, & exploring other options when treatment fails. With Conquering Infertility, women learn how to cope with infertility in a much more positive way and carve a path-however unexpected-toward a rich, full, happy life.
Available at amazon

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W E B S I T E :
Infertility Blues
infertilityblues.com

An excellent resource designed to provide you with the latest fertility news and research. This website contains carefully selected articles, books, and general items that are of special interest for those dealing with infertility issues and who want to know more about mind/body techniques.

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