Acknowledgments

Y in Yang Balance for Menopause is dedicated to my grandmother, whose heart was filled with enough love to fill the universe. To my mother, who inherited her inner strength and raised my sister and me with profound forbearance and maternal love. To my wife, who is the sail on my ship, and my eleven-year-old daughter, illustrator of all of the meridian drawings herein, who brings joy and meaning to the journey. Without these incredible women in my life, Yin Yang Balance for Menopause would never have manifested.

My deep gratitude also extends to Karen Christensen, my editor, friend, and in many ways teacher. Her ongoing encouragement, willingness to contribute, and special way with words brought with them a spark that ignited life into Yin Yang Balance for Menopause and my previous book, Your Yin Yang Body Type. It is this spark that makes my books playful yet informative introductions to Sasang medicine.

A sincere appreciation also goes to my patients, whom I treasure as one would a family. With Sasang medicine as our navigation system, we’ve sailed through countless storms, only to grow stronger and healthier along the way. Not a day goes by in the clinic without a reminder of how deep our mutually enhancing relationship runs.

I would never have traveled my path in life if it weren’t for Lee Je-ma and his profound understanding of Eastern philosophy and medicine. As the originator of Sasang medicine, he contributed greatly to the start of a new era of self-empowering medicine. I extend this gratitude to my mentor, No Kyung Mun, for his unconditional guidance, and to my colleagues of the Yeon Kyoung Won (Society for the Study of the Classics) for capturing the essence of Lee Je-ma’s teaching and devoting their lives to preserving ancient wisdom.

Lastly, I would like to thank life itself for giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams.