Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives [Paperback]

Deepak Chopra M.D. (Author), David Simon M.D. (Author), Deepak Chopra (Author), David Simon (Author), Vicki Abrams (Author)

Book Description

Series: Chopra, Deepak | Publication Date: March 22, 2005

A much-needed antidote to our modern, assembly-line approach to childbirth, this new book is designed as a guide for all who wish to participate in the wondrous process of bringing new life into the world. Its ideas derive from two sources: the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, with its emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and the latest Western scientific prenatal research. By integrating the best information from these two very different perspectives, this remarkable book gives readers the tools to ensure that our children are nourished by thoughts, words, and actions from the very moment of conception.

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives is rich in practical information, including strategies to help enliven the body intelligence of unborn babies by nourishing each of their five senses, as well as through Ayurvedically balanced nutrition and eating with awareness. Specific yoga poses and meditation techniques reduce the mother’s stress and improve the infant’s emotional environment, as do tips for conscious communication with a partner. Exercises prepare parents for the experience of childbirth itself, followed by natural approaches to dealing with the first weeks of parenting, from healing herbs to enhancing your milk supply to coping with postpartum depression.

Inspiring, expansive, and remarkably informative, this unique book from acclaimed experts in mind-body medicine will profoundly enhance the experience of pregnancy and birth for both parents and baby.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Chopra (Peace Is the Way; The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga; etc.) and his colleagues at the Chopra Center for Well Being offer pregnant women, their partners and healthcare providers a practical, thought-provoking framework in which to experience pregnancy and childbirth. Chopra advocates techniques drawn from ayurveda, the centuries-old Indian medical science, combined with daily yoga and meditation practice, to help deepen a woman's connection to herself, her baby and her own intuitive wisdom. Chopra says that the months during which a woman carries a child are a naturally introspective period and provide an ideal opportunity to cultivate awareness of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states. To facilitate this process, the Chopra Center developed the Magical Beginnings program for parents and training programs for prenatal educators to aid them in integrating ayurvedic therapies (focused on nutrition, sound, sight, touch and aroma), meditation, yoga, visualization and journaling into a holistic approach to pregnancy. According to Chopra, Western images of childbirth can instill unconscious fears, causing undue stress to mother and child. To help women tackle these worries, he offers helpful medical information on the physical aspects of childbirth, ways to process difficult emotions, and suggestions for healthy communication between partners. In addition to pregnant women and their caretakers, readers interested in birthing and raising conscious children will likely be inspired by Chopra's stirring call for mindful parenting from conception through birth and beyond. 23 illus. Agent, Muriel Nellis with Literary and Creative Artists. (Mar.)Forecast:Chopra's name alone could sell this book; print ads and national publicity will garner an even larger audience.
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Review

'The rock star of the new spirituality' Guardian; 'The poet-prophet of alternative medicine' Time; 'A world leader in mind-body medicine' Eve; 'Deepak Chopra is the pioneer of alternative medicine' Bill Clinton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517702207
• ISBN-13: 978-0517702208
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich and nourishing, April 9, 2005

By 

Dr. Sarah J. Buckley "MD, Author of Gentle Bi... (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives (Paperback)

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives is a deeply nourishing and inspiring book for expectant mothers, their partners and attendants.

Drawing on the centuries-old philosophies of Ayurveda and yoga, Deepak Chopra and his Chopra center colleagues David Simon MD and Vicki Abrams (who runs the Magical Beginnings birth education programme) have created a rich blend of mind-body medicine for pregnancy and childbirth that recognises childbearing as a spiritual, as well as a physical, process.

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives is both beautifully written and practical, offering excellent information on nutrition (from an Ayurvedic perspective), alternative remedies for pregnancy complaints and a simple pregnancy yoga routine. Chopra and co also emphasize the many benefits of meditation during pregnancy. Throughout, there is a gentle emphasis on slowing down, being mindful and paying attention to our internal signals.

As a family physician, writer on pregnancy birth and mothering, and mother of four (with a large collection of pregnancy and birth books!) I particularly welcomed the chapter for fathers and the advice on changing relationships, which are not often covered. Chopra et al advocate Dr Marshall Rosenberg's nonviolent communication (NVC) techniques which are wonderful tools to enhance conscious communications.

I also relished the philosophy, woven all through this enlightening book, of respect for mother and baby and for the amazing changes that happen over the months of pregnancy and birth.

New insights in mind-body medicine are confirming the traditional wisdom that a mother's mental and emotional state in pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the well-being of her child. Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives provides the tools and insights to help us all to nourish our babies and ourselves at this important time. As the authors conclude, `The souls of our children are the potential for tomorrow's world.'

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering and connecting...., October 12, 2005

By 

Rikkie "Mommy to be...." (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives (Paperback)

This book is exactly what I have been looking for.
It has empowered and inspired me in so many ways.
There are wonderful visualizations and exercises throughout the book which have helped me to connect deeply with my unborn baby and body.
Because of this book I have become much more aware of how my daily stresses affect my unborn baby and have used the suggested exercises to create a more peaceful space inside me. Nothing could make me happier.
I recommend this book to every pregnant woman. The information throughout will help you become more integrated in your mind and body and much more in-tune with your unborn baby.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, November 24, 2005

By 

andromedarl "andromedarl" (canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives (Paperback)

This book takes you on a journey to the spiritual side of pregnancy and childbirth. For my second pregnancy the last thing I needed was another book telling me what stage of development my fetus was at. This book takes a look at all the deeper emotional things that are going on.


I recommend this book for everyone, especially second time moms that had a bad experience the first time. It's been pretty helpful for me, facing my fears and helping to make my own informed decisions about my pregnancy and the birth of my baby.