Fully Fertile: A Holistic 12-Week Plan for Optimal Fertility (Findhorn Press, 2008) provides an action-oriented guide for women seeking a mind-body approach to infertility. Focusing primarily on yoga and oriental medicine, the book touches on a number of topics, including nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, relaxation, and prayer. The book is also packed with full-color photos, charts, and illustrations.
A plus in my mind, the three authors, Tamara Quinn, Elisabeth Heller, and Jeanie Lee Bussell, have experienced infertility themselves, and share their stories throughout the book.
What I Loved
If you’re looking for a yoga book on fertility, this may be the best book around. Prior to discovering this book, I spent months trying to find information on yoga and fertility. (I’m a yogini myself.) While I found bits of information here and there in other sources, this is best resource I’ve seen so far.
If you are new to the idea of yoga, there’s no need to worry. The yoga routines can easily be learned. The moves are described clearly, and include color photos of the poses. An extra plus, they’re nice on the eyes.
Another big plus, the authors provide guidance on which poses are appropriate during an assisted reproductive treatment cycle like IVF. They tell you what to avoid, and what to watch out for. I found this information extremely valuable, and it answered questions I’ve had myself.
Speaking of fertility treatments, I liked that the book wasn’t anti-medical treatment, which you might expect in a book on holistic avenues. The authors of Fully Fertile took a balanced view. The routines and 12-week plan aren’t meant to replace medical treatments, but to complement.
I’m such a sucker for workbooks, which made the 12-week plan format appealing to me. Each week includes a variety of exercises, from yoga to writing to keeping a sleep journal.
What Could Have Been Better
I wish there was more on what they mean by becoming fully fertile. Somewhere in the middle of the book, there is a brief mention that becoming “fully fertile” does not necessarily refer to just reproduction. I wish this was sooner in the book, and expanded.
I have a real issue with books that make big promises to those who are desperate for solutions. While Fully Fertile makes clear that following their plan won’t create miracles, I still feel that early in the book the authors should address alternate ways of looking at becoming “fully fertile.”
Another thing I felt was missing was discussion on moving on, treatment failure, and how to decide when to stop. Maybe it goes against the spirit of the book, which is encouraging and optimistic of success. Still, it’s an important topic, and I would have liked to see the yogic approach to these challenges.
My last complaint is that I wish it came with a DVD, with the yoga routines. They sell a yoga DVD on their website, Yoga Practices for Fertility: Techniques to Calm Body, Mind and Spirit, though I was told this DVD does not follow the routines in the book exactly. (It does include many of the same principles, however.) They told me a DVD for the book is forthcoming, and I look forward to seeing it. I know I’ll buy it.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an engaging book on mind-body approaches to infertility, with a spiritual flavor, Fully Fertile is a good book to buy. Because of the spiritual nature of this book, it might not be the right book for you if you’re not open to Eastern philosophies. (However, to be clear, this is not a religious book. The practices and ideas can be used within the context of your own religious beliefs.) Also, this isn’t a book to buy if you’re looking for detailed information on infertility in general, but there are plenty of other books out there on those topics.
Well researched and enjoyable to read, I’m happy to have read Fully Fertile. If you have any interest in yoga, acupuncture, or Eastern spiritualities, I believe you’ll enjoy this book.
