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During the proces of reading and ushers in a new era in medicine. Lighg a non-intnrsive,
very powerful tool, resides at the core of the new medi.
reviewing Ught : Meticine of tlv F utnre,
cine: "energy medicine."
I took the opporn:niry to read Deepak
Tnir boot is an exploration of this new paradigm.
Chopra's Ouantum Healing. Part I presents the body as a "living photocell, stimu.
larcd and regulated by light entering tle eyes. The eyes
are the entry points through which lght has its pro-
hopra's presentation of the body-mind connec found effect on the regulation of human physiological
tion provides a context for examining the work and emotional functioning and the development of
of Jacob Liberman, O. D., Ph.D., who has pio- our conriousness." Ligfrt penetrates the brain, stimu-
neered the application of light and color to healing im-
lating the hypothalamus which 'toordinates and regu-
balances in the bodymind. Chopra states: lates most of our life-sustaining functions and also ini-
tiates and coordinates our reactions and adaptations to
T tn tpo^^ of kflx is lil<c a brg, wntimnusstrirg, ui- srress.tt
brutng sloua u uv spot ud futn u uwdw.'We mok
ow lwnw on o drry put of tfu specnwn, bw it talces tfu av Tn lyporttalamus govems the autonomic nervous
t*e lrrgh for w n exist. Befirrrdlng u luo vibruion, shoJ<cs system, receiving extemal stimuli from the senses and
of tfu suirry ore rapuvhle for tlle Udrt, lwa, nagnaism intemal stimuli from the nervous system and psyche.
otdcontless odwr d*sete ercrg foms that$tlwutn- Liberman claims thehypothalamus "may be the single
verse. lts fiut afant steps ontlvladler of aeaimfrun most important unit of the brain, standing as high
empcJ spoce n intn-galacdc dwt n a nn ad finalJy tlw command in maintaining harmony within the body."
liukg furth. Ulhat nris shoqrs is tlw emptirwss, the Wn of
zuo dhruion, is rct a wtd but tlw swwW point far evuy. Tft. nypofialamus also govems the pituitary gland,
thhgtlunerisrs. And tlus swtingpomtis aluays inontaa which in tum regulates the endocrine system of hor.
wth enrry otlwr pw-tlwre orc rc breol<s m cuwnuity. mone-secreting glandsr pineal, th'yroid, parathyroid,
thymus, adrenals, pancreas and gonads. Having thus
In his inroduction Liberman states: 'This rience (of established that "eyesight is merely a small aspect of
light) bridges the gap beueen scientific knowledge, in- that dynamic process known as vision," Liberman fic-
tuitive knowing, health and personal evoludon, thus cuses his exploration on the pineal gland "whose func-
acting as a foundation for a new paradigm in healing. It tion was intuitively recognized by ancient civilizatioru
50 Tlw Jow"nal of Tlv Intcnutonol Association of YogaTlwrapiss
and, until recendy, gready underestimated by modem ferently with the endocrine system to stimulate or in.
science, serues ro assisr w in }nnt@ uith tlw tmiwrse." hibit hormonal production." This statement anticipates
his prcentation of Syntomtis, the healing method that
This glarrd, the 'third eye,' or 'seat of the soul,' "may has become his life's work, and whicl'r is the central ma-
very well be the newest treasure in science. It acts as terial of this book.
rhe body's licht meter, receiving light activated infor-
mation from the eyes (by way of the hypothalamus) Lib.r-"., cites several examples of the research that
and then sending out hormonal meswtges that have a backs up this statement. He cites studies which show
profound effect on the mind and body. Its activity, dre impact of color on the sympathedc and parasympa'
rcgulated by environmental light changes and the thetic nervous systems, blood pressure' pulse rate and
Eanfi's electromagnetic field, is to transmit information respiration rate; on migraines, athletic perfiormance and
to the body penaining to the length of daylight." on prison inmates.
In animals this govems adaptation to seasonal FLrring made his case for the role of light in the hu-
changes, prepararion for mating and other functions man body, Liberman turns to a discussion of "malil-
that fall rhythmically through ttre day and around the lumination", ill-health caused by poor and/or incom-
year. In humans it is significant because the pineal or' plete lighting. He presents light as a nutrient source
chestrates all the body's functions and synchronizes and reports srudies that reveal the negative effects on
them with the extemal environment. This is ?ccom- health of lights that provide les than the full spectrum.
plished by using light-related messages from the bio'
Arfr", this brief survey of research intomalillumin-
logical clock within the hypothalamus that determine
ation, Liberman arrives at the topic that inspired him
when the pineal relears melatonin, thehormone that
to write the book, and that forges for him the paradigm
controls the impulses to be active and to rest. Melato-
of the new medicine Syntoruixs. This is a "branch of
nin saturates the body in resporse to the pineal's sensi'
ocular rience dealing with selected portions of the viv
tivity to light and dark.
ible spectnrm. When its methods are applied by way of
Liberrn"r, comments: "lt would appear then, that not the eyes, Syru,onncs reflexively affecs the body's major
a single cell in the body can escape the influence of supportive functions by bringing them into balance
light sniking the eyes...... We truly are light bodies." with the environment, resulting in improved vision."
The pineal is the "regulator of regulators" affecting re' Lib..rn"., outlines the work of the pioneen in light'av
productive functions, growth, body temperature, blood mcdicine and comes ftnally to focus on Synronis, the
pressure, motor activiry, sleep, tumor growth, moods, work of Dr. Harry Riley Spitler in the first three de-
*re immune qntem and may also beafactor in longwity' cadcs of this century. Spitler's research sho'wed him
"that the portions of the brain rhat directly connol
C-ontinuing his exploration of the body as a photocell, both the autonomic nervous system and endocrine syv
Liberman nlrns to color. "Although science recognizes tem are also connected to the eyes by the shortest, most
the effects of x-rays, ulrraviolet rays and microwaves on dircct and most highly organized nerve pathways in the
our physical bodies, there still exists a controversy over brain. He concluded rhat ahhough herediry, environ-
whether the visible portion of the spectmm also affects ment and nurition play major roles in our lives, light
us physiologically. Visible light differs from x-rays only may play the most significant role in alrcring function,
in its wai'elengfi, so how is it posible that colored behavior and physiological response; in other words,
light, the ponion of the specmrm under which we have mcrely altering the color of light entering the eyes can
evolved and to which we are specifically atruned, can- disturb or restore balance within the autonomic ner-
notbe exerting a profound effect on usl' vous system and thus effect resultant functions."
FLlriUfv touches on the theory pertaining to the Spitle/s Synronncs refen to a physiologically balanced,
chakras and states: "lUith the development of more so' integrated nervous system. He neated people according
phisticated diagnostic echniques, science and medi- to *reir physical/emotiorral makeup and constitutional
cine are continuing to find that certain brain regions type. He realized that these variables in constitution
are not only light sensitive, but acually respond differ' significantly affect functioning, and his system is based
endy to different wavelengths. It is now believed that on the understanding that there is variety and inconsis-
different colors (wavelengths) of radiation interact dif' tency in how individuals process and utilize light.
Light : Medicine of the Fww e 5I
Lib.r-u., is president of the College of Syntonic Op- color of food has imporunt psychophysiological func-
tometry, a post-doctoral educational optometric orga- tions. 'Just as we need the bendits of natural full-spec-
nization that for 60 yean has been devoted to research mrm light, we also need narural full-specrrum food to
and clinical application ofocularly perceived light. nourish our minds, bodies and spirits."
LLui.,g establified in Part I that thebody is a photo- Lib.r-- is a spiritual seeker, honest, open and coura-
cell, Liberman presents Synlon is atwork in Part 2. He geous. He talks openly about his own life processes and
describes some of its applications to leaming disabld joumey to maturation and widom. The fruit of his
children, cancer treatment, blood cleansing, Seasonal stmggles is his vision for the applications of light
Affective Disorder, PMS, dentisrry and acupuncture. therapy. " Ifhealers and practitionen are not using
The case histories are fascinating and dramatic stories tools to create deep levels of change, they are merely
of recovery from severe illness after the application of giving patients a stronger pair of crutcies each year."
light to the body through the eyes. His stated life interest is to get to the rmt causes of af-
flictions and avoid the futiliry of temponry Band-aids
FL elaborates more on the discussion of malillumin that may re-balance a person's system only until they
ation relative to ultraviolet light, proposing that W are again 'tonfronted by those aspects of their lives
deficiency is widespread and avoidable. He questions that originally triggered them into states of imbalance."
the prolonged and consistent use of sunglasses, sun.
screens and artificial lights with no W component. Fi*lly, in Part 3, Liberman presents his vision of truly
There are indications in current research that UV holistic healing. As we enter the "light age," scalpels
light through the eyes stimulates the immune system, will be replaced by lasers, chemotherapy by photo-
and drat in uace amouns it is a life-zupponing nutrienL therapy, prescription drugs by prescription colors, acu-
puncture needles by needles oflight, eyeglasses by
Follo*ing the discusion of UV light, Liberman di- healthy eyes. Classrooms will be playful and colorful,
recdy addresses food and the role of light in nutrition sdmulating places full of sunlight and fresh air, and
and metabolism. "It has been calculated," he states, therapeutic techniques will ueat the mind and body as
"that the entire volume of blood pumped by the heart one fi.rnctioning whole system.
circulates through the eyes every two hours..... How is
,the blood, which ransports most of the body's nutri. In conclusion he sap: 'The study of light affirms the
ens, affected by the direct stimulation of light?" connectedness of all things. rVe have entered an age
when we must lmk at things fromnuulwre rather than
FL co.,tinues, ".....for any ingested subsmnce to be cxperiencing them from only our own poins of view
fully processed or used by the body, it needs to go and, thus, artificially coloring our realides."
through a series of chemical reactions that are cata-
lyzed (ignited) by a specific portion of the elecromag- Thi, i, an exciting book to read. It is well written and
netic specrmm. \Tithout this specific portion of the illustrated, the access material is generous and includes
specmrm (qpe of ligh$, the substance would not be lists, addresses and sources for full-spectrum lights and
fully used, resulting in some aspect of the physiological related produc6, light therapy practitioners, suggested
functioning beWW h, tlwdark. " Without a balanced reading, copious bibliographical references of books and
spectrum of light in our environmentwe probably suf- research papes, and even the manutacture/s numben
fer frorg "malillumination. This condition, which is for specific paint colors that have been found to en-
probably muc.h more common than we would like to hance learning and harmony in children's classrooms.
believe, can lead to a lack ofnurritional suppoft for
certain poniors of our being, resultirg in drronic diseass" Liberman's excitement about Syntonics and light as.
medicine is infecdous. He is careful to stay well within
Food i*f ir "frozen light" and the lowerwe eaton t}re bounds of science by letting the case histories and
the food chain, "rhe closer we are to receiving light's research studies speak for themselves. He is a gifted
full force." Foods of animal origin, junk foods and writer. His pasion forhis subject is appareff through-
highly procesrd items have little or none of lighCs nu- out in an eloquent, often poetic tum of phrase. His vi'
tritional value. Liberman here mentions the book sion for medicine is stimulating and grounded in al-
Spiritual Nurri don @td tlv Roinbow aw by Dr. Gabriel rcady exisringr proveo technology and practice.
C-ousens, who has found in clinical practice that the
5Z Tlvlolla:iral of Tlwhuernuisrwl Assocbtion of YqaTivrapi,ss
Body,Centered Psychotherapy :
The Hakomi Method
By Ron Kurtz
Reviewed by Donna Martin
Imagine an approach to therapy based cnhance and deepen the very experience ofYoga that
a thcrapist or teacher offen a client or student.
on the principles of tlrity, mindfulness, The word "Hakomi" is a Hopi Indian word that
inner widom, non-violence and the mcirns "How do you stand in reladon to these many
realms?" A simpler translation would be "Who are
mind-body connection. Sound familiar? youl' whic.h is also the essence of the teachings of
These very yogic principles form the such sages as Ramana Maharshi. Of prime impor-
tance in the method is an understanding of basic prin-
basis of Hakomi, Ron Kurtz' method of ciplc in the methodology of Hakomi, as techniques
"body-centered psychotherapy." ane seondary and must in no way interfere with the
natu ral unfolding process.
Runner's Yoga Book ing poses, baclbends, twists and inversions, as well as
standing and seated forward bends. What is charming
is the unique embellishmenr given to many of the sec.
By Jean Couch
tions. Two of my favorites are 'The Screamers: Ham-
Reviewed By Judith Lasater sning Stretches" and "Don't Be Girdled: Poses for
Shoulden and Arms." The aurhor's sense of humor
Wh.., I was asked to review rhis book, I had nvo wor- shines thnrugh and the effect is to enhance both the
ries. I have been a friend of rhe author and the pub- believabiliry of,the insmrctions as well as the abiliry of
lishen for many yean, and was worried about writing a the book to hold irs reader's atrention. There is noth-
critical review of my friends'book. Sec.ondly, I won- ing more rare in Yoga books than a sense of humor;
dered why the world needed yet another book about how pleasant that C.ouch allows hers to show.
Yoga. As it om-ed out, I need not have wonied at all.
Gnsistent with irc practical benr, the back of the
Roat".ff Pres and authorJean Couch have produced book, Part Three, presents to the reader a basic practice
an accessible, helpful and straighdorward bmk about guide as well as a core program. In addition, Yoga
Yoga in twentieth century America. This is a book poses are suggested for athletes of various spofts. In this
rhat you can give to your most skeptical relative with section snetches are given to balance the asymmetry
confidence, the relative that never seems to undenmnd created by such sports as golf and tennis. Once again,
just what it is you really do. The book presents Yop in this is straighdorward information without esoteric
a demystified and clear manner, showing models with Sanskrit terms or philosophy ro waylay the beginner.
three levels of expertise, instead of only the often in- Finally, author Couch offen an extensive section on re-
timidating advanced practitioner. sources for those who may wish to pursue theirpractice
wirh a teacher or read more about Yoga as presented in
'Wh",I
like most about rhe bmk is that everything in thc trnk.
it is gearedfor practicing Yoga instead of merely en-
couraging the reader to leaf through pages of lovely Throughout the book, as various positions are inrro-
photographs. This is not a book drat was intended to duced, cautions are suggested to the reader about the
be left on the shelf or coffee table ro enrerrain occa. possible contraindications for that particular pose. This
sionally. AuthorJean Couch begins by giving the nov- iswell'done, and of course is laudatory, but there is one
ice reader concrete information about what Yoga is, posn which I feel is nor presented safely. On pages 134-
how stretching quickly is not like slow Yoga stretching, 137 shouldenand and variations are presented with
and imporuntly, she inuoduces some critically impor- the models only using one thin blanket under the
tant basic concepts. These are in Chapter six, which is shoulders to protect the neck. It is my experience that
entitled 'More Than Just Beginning," and here Couch most studen$ usually need more like five to seven blan.
discusses principles of movement that are usually over. kets under the neck. By placing that many blankets
looked in most how-to boola on Yoga. For example, under the shoulden, the weight is taken almost com-
the author explains the importance of standing with pletely off the cervical spine. In fact, when the student
the feet acrually pointing forward, not rotared out, as practices with this height, the teacher is able to gently
most people do, and she stresses the imporance of al- lift rhe student's head a slight distance from the floor.
lowing the normal curves of the spinal column to be in This is because the soft tissue of the cervical spine has
harmonyfrhen standing. She is concemed that the be. not been stretched to its maximum, therdore allowing
ginner understand how to stand up well first, before *re more play in the posterior side of the neck. From the
rcaches the reader how to move. This is the kind of in. look of the models' necks, there is no play in the soft
formation experienced studen$ take for granted, but tissue there. This presentation disnesses me, because so
how I wish I had had access ro this information when I oftcn orher health proGssionals advise Yoga students to
was beginning to practice. avoid shoulderstand because ofpossible neck strain.
Th. .,.*, parr of the book is its mosr charming. In OrL,". that this criricism, I recommend this book as
this section, entitled "Part Two: The Poses," the book exceptiornlly clear, imminendy pmctical and usable,
is divided into clear sections represenring the basic and even entertaining in i$ humor and down-to-
types of Yoga poses. Separate chapters focus on stand- earthnes. In fact, ThwRwner'sYogaBnkseems to re.
flect both its author as well as its publishers.
Thc lrr,nnal of Tl:clntzma;ionol ,\sscr;iroluon of YogaThna$sa 57
rather than scripted, and it is evident that a great deal work with Yoga Therapists. She can be contacted at:
of thought and planning has gone into this production. Manifesting Inner Light, P.O. Box 517, Sausalito, CA
An added touch during the class is original music drat e 4966-0s 17, Qt s ) 337 -4 663
body alignmentwhich Felicity imparts in an easily un- recently competed a book, IJt'ing In The Nocr, which
dentood manner without the use of dry technical deals with the joys and smrggles of the ransformational
joumey.
terms. She offers advice such as "Be attentive to your
body. Be aware of every part of it and open it, extend it
and stretci it as far as you can everywhere." or Joscph Duggan makes his home in British C-olumbia
"Muscles relax slowly. The longer you hold a pose the where he is a student and writer on various practices of
more benefit you get out of it." I found her comments Yoga and lndian rience.
every bit as helpful as the information on alignment
and felt her commentary helped create a balanced and David Shanrnhoff-Khalsa is president of the Khalsa
easy to follow presentation. Foundation for Medical Science in Del Mar C-alifomia.
He has written numerous articles on Yoga and its psy'
Feliciry recommends this tape for personal practice as chophysiological effects.
well as to be used as an insm.rctive leaming experience
for beginning teachers. Her sequence of asanas is well Paula Kout is a writer and Yoga teacher who makes
planndd and can be easily practiced as a daily routine' her home in Evanston, Illinois. She is at the beginning
However, I see this tape more as a tool for studens or of what we hope will be a long and successful writing
teachers who feel stale in their own practice or teach- career.
ing as a reminder of some of the different and creative
Virendra Kumar, Ph.D. is a senior consultant Yoga
ways inwhich they can work wirh asanas.
Physician at the Yoga-Nidhi in Varanasi,India. He is
All in all, Feliciry's BubYoga is a excellent addition to head of the Yoga Department in the Central Schools
your video library. Organization for the Govemment of India and holds a
diploma as Yogacharya and a Ph.D. in YogaTherapy.
58 Tlrn lunnol of The lrvernuional Assxiatiur of YogaTlrrlaetts
Judith Hanson Iasater, P.T., Ph.D., has been teach. &Jitar's Notes
irg and writing about Yoga for 21 years and is a mem-
ber of the Board of Advisors of IAYT. She is currently Volume l, No 1 & 2, 1990
writing a bmk on'T.estorative Yoga."
Arpita, Ph.D., (Joan Shivarpita Harrigan, Ph.D.)
Brian Lynn holds a B.A. in philosophyand psychol- published an article in Volume 1, No. 1 & 2 of the
ogy with e:(rcnsive studies in Buddhism and has been a 1990 IAYT Joumal entitled "Physiological and
student of yoga for over I ? yean. He is certified as a psychological efllects of hatha yoga: A review of the
teacher of Robert Masters' Psychophysical Method. literature." She would like to clarifi, that her literarure
Brian currendy rcacJres classes, workshops and indi- review was taken from her doctoral dissertation, which
viduals in Victoria, Bridsh C.olumbia. was a component analysis of the effects of hatha Yoga
and diaphragmatic breathing. It was originally pub-
Donna Martin, B.A. works as a Yoga and relaxation lished by the Pennsylvania State Univenity in 1981
therapist out of British Columbia, Canada, where fie and is available through Dissertation Abstracts Intema-
counsels individuals with stres, chronic pain, and de- tional. She is now a psychologist in private practice in
pendency isues. She teaches workshops around North Knoxville, Tennessee and remains active in studying
America and is the resident Yoga teac.her at Hollyhock Yoga therapy, with special interesrs in the kundalini
Farm in B.C. during the summer months. proce$s and the psychology ofYoga and Vedanta. She
is rradidonal in orientation and is not affiliated widr
Laureen Mac Leod teaches Yop in Portland Orqon. and does not endorse any particular Yoga institute.