Dedicated To

All the women who choose homebirthing and / or strive towards natural birthing
in contravention of the many social and medical pressures to do otherwise.

All the midwives who struggle against the increasing tide
of medical intervention in childbirth.

All women who endeavour to improve the quality of life
for themselves, their children and their family
through self study and spiritual practise.

Acknowledgments

The yoga practices included in this book are part of the system of Integral Yoga
as taught by Paramahansa Swami Satyananda Saraswati
and the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, India.

I wish to thank the many people who have helped make this book possible -

The preceptors of the Saraswati yoga lineage.
The many other inspirers, teachers and advisors
through whose teachings I have learned over the years;
The swamis and teachers in the Satyananda Yoga Ashrams
Australia and worldwide.

The pioneers of the renaissance and present day
movement towards natural childbirthing.

All those who shared my life at Lower Portland, Windsor, Nunyara and Green Valley
and who supported this book by giving me the time and space for its writing.

Special thanks to those who gave advice and editing assistance including:
Swami Karunadevi, Rishi Satyadharma, Swami Anandakapila (Dr John Mumford),
Swami Ajnananda (chakra artwork) , Maggie Lecky-Thompson, Francesca Naish,
Dr Sarah Buckley, Atmashakshi and Adwaitarupa Spurway, Divyamani Alexander,
Hridayananda and Swaroopananda Johnson, Tantradevi Samuels,
Emma Fereti (colour artworks), Sue Marshall, Yogavarnam Berta, and others.

All my babies, who have taught me so much of my mothering.

And, of course, my guru.