Mind Medicine for Fertility
 

Mind/Body Medicine is being taught in medical schools all over the U.S. No longer in its infancy, rigorous, repeatable studies support the practice of minding the mind: paying attention to and making conscious choices about what the mind is doing and how it affects the body. Research is currently being conducted in such fields as bio-behavioral medicine, philosophy of mind, cognitive and affective neurosciences and psychology. Existing studies have measured an increase in the area of the brain associated with a reduction in anxiety and negative affect and an increase in positive affect or emotions. The studies also demonstrate enhanced immune function.

What does this have to do with fertility?
 

While stress and anxiety may not be the cause of infertility, the process of difficult conception is very stressful and may exacerbate the problem. Anxiousness, insomnia, painful menstrual cycles, clenching teeth or muscles are all signals that the body is dealing with excess stress. Blood flows away from the brain, the stomach and the reproductive organs and into the muscles in order to either fight with or run from some danger. This stress response is important when we are in real physical danger. We’re able to respond quickly, swerve the car to miss a deer or protect ourselves from an attacking animal. But when we interpret normal, daily challenges as stressful events and contract our body and mind for constant danger, we’re using up a lot of physical and mental resources that could otherwise be available for healthy digestion, peaceful sleep or enjoyable sex.
 

The ultimate goal in mind/body medicine is to empower the patient to access their own innate healing resources. The Mind/Body Fertility Workshop is designed to help participants to cultivate these inner resources, to reinterpret difficult events and situations, to become more aware of the body’s messages (increased heart rate, insomnia, indigestion, pain) acknowledge the discomfort and to make a conscious choice about how to manage it. The methods taught in this workshop have been employed, tested and measured in a number of studies resulting in improved psychological health and increased pregnancy rates. 
 

Fertile Ground – One night workshop
September 21, 2007, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Yoga for Fertility 
 

Exercise while trying to conceive is a complicated topic. How much is too much? How much is too little? Yoga can provide the middle ground, the moderate amount of exercise in which strength-building, stamina, and balance are the focus. These are qualities that we rely upon in difficult situations and resources that are available within each of us. Yoga helps to cultivate those resources. Come join us for an evening of yoga, group discussion and meeting with others in the fertility conscious community.
 

Your $10 contribution for this workshop will be donated to Resolve for their excellent work in providing information, education, conferences, support groups and the networking of courageous women and couples seeking help in this most challenging of life circumstances.
 

If you are currently pregnant, we respectfully ask that you not attend this event. We wish you a healthy and peaceful pregnancy, a smooth, fast delivery, and a happy, healthy, tiny new person who will be the light of your life!
 

This is a special community of women and an auspicious gathering! Call to let us know that you're coming: 202-244-2289. We look forward to celebrating with you!
 

RESOLVE
 

The Mid-Atlantic Region of RESOLVE presents the Annual Family Building Conference: Road to Resolution.
 

Saturday, November 3, 2007

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: Inova Physician's Conference Center. Falls Church, VA. 
 

For those dealing with the difficult and often isolating experience of infertility, or facing the seemingly daunting task of understanding the ins and outs of adoption, this event is for you. This one-day conference features unbiased, noncommercial and instructional information on the latest assisted reproduction technologies for women and men, parenting opportunities via donor egg and sperm, surrogacy, complementary medical treatments, mental health issues such as stress reduction, along with an entire seminar track that covers all aspects of domestic and international adoption For details and further information, go to: www.midatlantic.resolve.org
 

HEAL FROM WITHIN - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
For additional details call 202-244-2289 

September 11, 2007      
Mind/Body Fertility Workshop in Northern Virginia
Nine Tuesdays and One Sunday, ending November 6, 2007
6:30 - 9:00 PM

September 12, 2007
Mind/Body Fertility Workshop at Heal From Within            
Nine Wednesdays and One Sunday, ending November 7, 2007     
6:30 - 9:00 PM

September 21, 2007
Fertile Ground and Autumn Equinox
 

One-night workshop
Friday night, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
 

MAY YOU BE WELL, HAPPY AND PEACEFUL

For those who are new to the Heal From Within newsletter, welcome! It is always your choice to receive it or not. If you have feedback, I appreciate it. If you don't care to receive it, you can cancel at any time.
 

Feel free to contact me directly, by email: LisaEaves@Heal-From-Within.com or by phone: 202-244-2289. My acupuncture work is a focused practice for women and men who are having difficulty conceiving. My workshops are for the fertility conscious community. I welcome your questions, your feedback and your participation with us on your life's journey, wherever it may lead. 

I am grateful to you!
 

Respectfully,
Lisa Eaves 

Valuable Resources for the Fertility Community

Carl Siegel, Ph.D., Men's Groups, www.pastoralcounselingdc.com
Jeanine Cogan, Ph.D., Coach, www.cogancoaching.com
Dori Gonzalez, MA, Fertility Coach, www.mambonova.com
Phyllis Martin, M.Ed., LPC, Donor Egg Groups, phyllismartinipc@cox.net
Technostorks, http://www.technostorks.com/index.htm