The Heart Speaks or Ellie Hermans Pilates Props Workbook

The Heart Speaks: A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret Language of Healing

Author: Mimi Guarneri

Every day, 2,600 Americans die of cardiovascular disease -- and despite remarkable interventional and surgical procedures, over 650,000 new heart attacks occur annually. In The Heart Speaks, Dr. Mimi Guarneri reveals groundbreaking new research that the heart is a multilayered, complex organ, possessing intelligence, memory, and decision-making abilities independent from the mind -- and that healing the heart can have more to do with healing the mind and soul than we ever knew.

From childhood in a family riddled with heart disease to a medical career facing the pounding heartbeats of cardiac emergencies, Dr. Guarneri draws us into the intimate moments of life and death, and leads us on a riveting exploration of the heart's many mysteries. Through her compelling memoir we see that it is only by knowing the whole heart -- its mental, emotional, spiritual, and universal aspects -- that we can truly heal.

Publishers Weekly

A lyrical writer as well as a cardiologist, the author, founder and medical director of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, describes how she learned that beyond the power of our most sophisticated medical equipment is a physician's humanity-"the listening ear, the healing touch, the devices of healers throughout time." Guarneri became highly accomplished at angioplasty and stent procedures, but came to realize that those she treated could also be helped by proper nutrition and stress reduction techniques such as yoga and visualization. She became committed to practices such as those of Dean Ornish, with whom she has worked, to reverse coronary disease with diet, exercise, meditation and support groups. Guarneri studied the link between depression and heart disease, and opened her mind to the validity of other alternative treatments, including energy healing, visualization before and after surgery, and spiritual practices. What is particularly attractive about this chronicle is the author's graceful integration of her own story-the destructive effect on her of stress and overwork-into those of her patients. Guarneri deplores the financial constraints that prevent doctors from spending time with patients and that many physicians have developed "a mechanic's mentality," focused on fixing rather than getting to know their patients. (Feb. 7) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

In her first book, cardiologist Guarneri (founder/medical director, Scripps Ctr. for Integrative Medicine) tours the alternative landscape of heart health and healing, weaving research summaries and her own case studies into a discussion of the effects of stress, anger, depression, grief, and prayer. She argues that a physician's compassion, patience, and empathy are key factors and that listening (a trait poorly fostered in managed-care environments) is what some patients need most. While most people probably have a general understanding of the social stressors on health, readers will likely be fascinated to learn of the heart's role as an information processing center: much like the brain, it is believed to have memory and decision-making abilities. Although at times the author's arguments seem one-sided-Guarneri presents evidence of the efficacy of prayer yet fails to note recent studies (e.g., Duke University's MANTRA II study) showing no outcome differences with remote prayer-they are ultimately persuasive. Most other alternative heart health books focus on diet, exercise, and herbs. Optimistic and heartfelt, this is recommended for public libraries.-Andy Wickens, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Table of Contents:

Contents

Introduction: Biography of the Heart

Part 1: The Myth of the Mechanical Pump

1. The Unexamined Heart

2. A Heart, a Spleen, a Leaking Valve

Part 2: The Language of the Heart

3. The Fog of Stress

4. Echoes of Anger

5. The Landscape of Depression

6. Sacred Revelations

7. The Persistence of Grief

Part 3: Beyond the Physical Heart

8. The Little Brain

9. Universal Heart

10. Toward Compassionate Medicine

Notes

Further Reading

Acknowledgments

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Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Step-by-step Guide with Over 200 Photos

Author: Ellie Herman

Pilates is one of the fastest growing exercise trends. Now Ellie Herman, a renowned Pilates instructor and author, shows how to make Pilates more interesting and enjoyable. In this book, she introduces the reader to popular workout accessories that expand and amplify Pilates matwork exercises.

This book details each prop's unique characteristics and explains how it can enhance Pilates in its own way: the magic circles tone arms, the small ball held between the legs shapes thighs, the foam roller stretches the chest and shoulders, and the large exercise ball builds core stability.

The author guides the reader step by step through photo sequences of specially designed exercises as well as variations on traditional Pilates movements. Each series takes full advantage of the different props' abilities to produce results in less time and with less strain.

A bonus chapter describes the author's Pilates Springboard, an inexpensive and space-saving variation of the classic Pilates Cadillac. This make-it-yourself piece of equipment provides the same full-body workout as large studio equipment but at a fraction of the cost.