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Contents

Foreword Carol Knoph, MEd, LMHC

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Why We Wrote This Book

CHAPTER 1. WHAT IS YOGA FOR FERTILITY?

General Yoga Benefits

Yoga for Fertility Benefits

CHAPTER 2. WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM YOGA FOR FERTILITY?

Just Starting Out

Unexplained Infertility

PCOS

Endometriosis

Miscarriage

Is Yoga for Fertility Helpful for Men?

The Research: Is Yoga for Fertility Effective?

CHAPTER 3. GETTING STARTED WITH YOGA FOR FERTILITY

Getting Started

Deciding Where to Begin in This Book

How Much Time and How Often Should You Do These Routines?

Keeping a Journal

Basic Yoga Principles

CHAPTER 4. ROUTINES FOR THE FIRST HALF OF YOUR CYCLE

First Half Basic Routine

Summary Flow of First Half Basic Routine

POSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR FIRST HALF BASIC ROUTINE

Poses Lying on Your Back

Poses on Hands and Knees

Supine Poses and Lunge Pose

Standing Poses

Seated Poses

Relaxation Poses

First Half Intermediate Routine

Summary Flow of First Half Intermediate Routine

POSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR FIRST HALF INTERMEDIATE ROUTINE

Poses Lying on Your Back

Poses on Hands and Knees

Standing Poses

Supine Poses

More Poses Lying on Your Back

Relaxation Poses

CHAPTER 5. ROUTINES FOR THE SECOND HALF OF YOUR CYCLE

Second Half Basic Routine

Summary Flow of Second Half Basic Routine

POSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR SECOND HALF BASIC ROUTINE

Poses Lying on Your Back

Poses on Hands and Knees

Standing Poses

Seated Poses

Relaxation Poses

Second Half Intermediate Routine

Summary Flow for Second Half Intermediate Routine

POSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR SECOND HALF INTERMEDIATE ROUTINE

Poses Lying on Your Back

Poses on Hands and Knees

Standing Poses

Seated Poses

Pre-Relaxation Poses on the Back

Relaxation Poses

CHAPTER 6. YOGA ROUTINES FOR ADDITIONAL SITUATIONS

Yoga During Your Period

Yoga Routine for Your Period

Poses Lying on Your Back

Poses on Hands and Knees

Seated Poses

Relaxation Poses

Yoga for Early Pregnancy

Cycles Using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

YOGA ROUTINE FOR ART CYCLES OR STRESS RELIEF

Poses Lying on Your Back

Poses on Hands and Knees

Seated Poses

More Poses Lying on Your Back

Relaxation Poses

Adapting Your Yoga Practice in a Class

Yoga with Your Partner

CHAPTER 7. MORE YOGA PRACTICES FOR FERTILITY SUPPORT

Conscious Breathing Practice (Pranayama) for Fertility Support

Yoga for Fertility Breathing Practices

Meditations and Visualizations for Fertility Support

Seated Meditation to Clear the Mind

Seated Meditation for Calming

Mindful Walking Meditation

Passage Meditation

Heart-to-Uterus Visualization

Affirmations for Fertility Support

Vision Boards and Fertility “Altars”

Chanting

CHAPTER 8. LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO SUPPORT FERTILITY

Fertility Nutrition

Different Approaches to Fertility Nutrition

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach

The Western Dietician Approach

The Food Sensitivities Approach

The Ayurvedic Approach

The Whole Foods Approach

Mindful Eating

Nutritional Deficiencies

Weight and Fertility

Exercise

Work and Relationships

Top Five Lifestyle Changes for Fertility

CHAPTER 9. USING YOGA WITH OTHER MODALITIES FOR FERTILITY SUPPORT

Acupuncture

Fertility Abdominal Massage

Hypnotherapy

Counseling and Life Coaching

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Suggestions for Friends and Family

CHAPTER 10. SUCCESS STORIES

Wendy’s Story

Anna’s Story

Georgia’s Story

Suzette’s Story

Priti’s Story

Vicky’s Story

Kathy’s Story

Nancy’s Story

Final Thoughts from Jill and Lynn

Notes

Resources

Index