CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist, is internationally known for her visionary, empowering approach to women's health and wellness. As a practicing physician for over 20 years, Dr. Northrup is a leading proponent of medicine and healing that acknowledges the unity of the mind and body, as well as the powerful role of the human spirit in creating health.

Her pioneering work has shown that conditions such as PMS, endometriosis, breast symptoms, and uterine conditions are the language through which women’s bodies speak of wounding they have experienced in a culture which has been unsupportive to women and to those values we call “womanly.” Her years of clinical experience have taught her that life-threatening, chronic, or acute illness is often a catalyst for significant inner growth and change. The lessons learned from the thousands of women with whom she has worked over the years have taught her that we needn’t wait for illness to make health-enhancing adjustments in our lives. Regardless of one’s starting point, vibrant improvements can occur on all levels of a woman’s life and health when she learns how to respect and care for herself.

Dr. Northrup is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book, Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom (Bantam, revised 1998), which was #1 on Amazon.com in 1999, has been translated into eleven languages, and has sold over 1.2 million copies. Her work has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Good Morning America, and the Today Show. She has also appeared on Donny & Marie. Her newest New York Times best-selling book, The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change (Bantam, 2001), #1 on Amazon.com in 2001 and 2002, explores the gifts and challenges of this midlife turning point, during which we have greater potential to create the foundation for a happier and healthier life than ever before. She is also at work on a book that will explore how the mother–daughter bond sets the stage for a woman’s health throughout the lifecycle. Dr. Northrup lives with her family in Maine.

We appreciate the holistic approach Christiane Northrup, M.D. so effectively imparts in her literature and medical practice.  Both of her books are clearly written, rich with information about the body and how it is connected to specific emotional and spiritual conditions.  Her books are an enjoyable read to learn about our fascinating bodies.  As a holistic health resource, every woman should own these books to help them take charge of their total health.  In addition, these books are also valuable for men, as husbands, fathers, and brothers, to enable them to them empathize and appreciate the amazing intricacies and beautiful complexities of woman during all the cycles of her life.

We believe you will enjoy the excerpts we chose for this issue, providing just a taste of Northrup's knowledge and wisdom leaving you wanting for more.  Thank you Christiane for introducing your work to our readers!

YANN MARTEL, the child of diplomats, was born in Spain and has lived all over the world. Costa Rica, France, Mexico and Alaska have all been home to Martel, who has also traveled extensively in Iran, Turkey and India. Martel refers to his travels as, “seeing the same play on a whole lot of different stages.” Martel has received a Pushcart Prize and The Journey Prize for best-published short story in Canada and LIFE OF PI, just awarded the 2001Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction 2001 and short-listed for Canada’s prestigious Governor General Literary Award, marks his US debut. Martel is a vegetarian, practices yoga, and volunteers at a palliative care center. He continues to travel, but when he stays put, he makes his home in Montreal.  

Throughout LIFE OF PI, Martel tests the limits of believability and ends up proving the very durability of and intrinsic value of faith. And when Pi finally reaches land, Richard Parker fleeing into the jungle never to be seen again, all that remains is a story no one can believe. Calling into question the conventions we, as readers, hold true about the very nature of storytelling, Pi, and Martel, proves that life is a story in which the ending is of our own choosing. It may even be, as one of the characters of the novel states, “a story that will make you believe in God.”

SpirituallyFit rarely features fictional stories but we found Life of Pi a delight to read and an inspiration of the soul, reminding us that reading a good, soul-tugging fiction is also a wonderful exercise of spiritual fitness.   Enjoy this issue's excerpt from Life of Pi.

WAYNE MULLER is an ordained minister, a therapist, and an author. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, he has spent the last twenty-five years working closely with some of the most disadvantaged members of society. He is the founder of Bread for the Journey, a national, non-profit charity serving the poor and underprivileged. He is also the founder of the Institute for Engaged Spirituality, Senior Scholar with the Fetzer Institute, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Wayne is currently serving as Spiritual Consultant to the staff of the Betty Ford Center.

Wayne Muller is the author of the national bestseller Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a Painful Childhood and How, Then, Shall We Live? His most recent book entitled Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in our Busy Lives, was recently published by Bantam Doubleday Dell.  In this issue we feature an excerpt from Legacy of the Heart which asks us to have compassion and mercy for ourselves and others.

We featured Muller in our Winter 2001 issue and appreciate the opportunity to bring his work to our readers once again.

KATE REAVEY: In these two poems, “Practice” and “Wisdom, Logic, Light,” Reavey exposes herself as poet, right down to the bone. She interprets nature in a surprising fashion and makes us want to breathe and to peek out of doors to see through the fog.

Reavey is no stranger to SpirituallyFit as we featured her poetry in our 2000 Fall issue. Reavey is loved by many for the beauty and compassion she exudes through her poetry and her spirit.

Kate Reavey's publication, "Too Small to Hold You", can be ordered from Pleasure Boat Studio http://www.pbstudio.com or amazon.com

MARIA YRACEBURU: We welcome Maria Yraceburu to our webzine and her peek into Jumping Moon, an integral component of the Quero Apache Tlish Diyan tradition.

Maria received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hawaii and the United Nations in Applied Ecopsychology.  Applied Ecopsychology is traditional nature healing as her people have practiced for centuries. She has been writing articles and working clinical psychologists since 1972. She is also a ceremonial facilitator and traditional healer. A well known writer, Maria speaks of a living life belief system that perpetuates empowerment, health, and a harmonious existence between all dynamic planes. Her most important work to date, in addition to these essays, is her compilation of the LEGENDS AND PROPHECIES OF THE QUERO APACHE (Inner Traditions International / Bear & Company, 2002). Her articles on philosophy, spirituality, and ancient lifeways have been published in 75 countries. A portion of Maria's book sales benefit Nohwike Bagowa.

For more information, please visit nohwikebagowa.org or email maria@nohwikebagowa.org.

DR ASOKA SELVARAJAH's "Lessons from the Animals" asks us to learn from the animal kingdom taking an "approach with the open-hearted wonder of a little child, willing to learn whatever is there to be learned."

Dr. Asoka Selvarajah is an active author/researcher on personal development and esoteric spirituality. Asoka's work helps people achieve their full potential, deepen their understanding of mystical truth, and find joy in their true soul's purpose. You can visit his website at: http://www.aksworld.com/7gs.htm?SPFI

PATRICK LOAFMAN: Immersed in science, from his academic background, sometimes Patrick Loafman reverts to myth, surprising us with the ancient turned modern, from now to then, “time falls” in “Where Names Vanish” and “Icarus.”

Patrick  published two chapbooks: Desert Journal is published by Lone Willow Press and Song of the Winter Wren was self-published.

DENISE SHAW CORYEA, M.Ed.,  is a health educator, Angel Coach, Reiki Master, mother and author. She lives in Connecticut. Her web site is http://www.Angel-Hope.com

MARION BAKER: Welcome Marion Baker to SpirituallyFit.com!  Baker's essay on Monsters Dragons and Gnomes, Oh My! speaks to the lackluster realities seen after 40 years of living when you find yourself a few pounds heavier, scrubbing toilets then challenging yourself to LIKE yourself.  An amateur, non-published writer, we appreciate Marion submitting her essay for the rest of us to identify with and enjoy.

CAROLE LYNNE leads three lives. She is a musician, coach to public speakers and business professionals, and a Spiritualist medium.  Carol Lynne is the author of of Heart and Sound, a book and CD of chants, affirmations and prayers published by Red Wheel available in bookstores, or from Carole Lynne's website

We welcome Carol Lynne and her article about how she practices spiritual fitness by learning that Every Day Is A Teacher.

ELEANORA SCARPETTA:  Our delightful Italian culinary mistress Eleanora Scarpetta returns with wonderful recipes and tips for this winter! If you have never explored arugula you are missing a wonderful peppery ingredient for your salads and in Eleanora's Zucchini Arugula Potato Frittata!

PEGGY DE BROUX:  Peggy first graced our webzine with her poetry in our Spring 2002 issue sharing her reflections on September 11th.  She is a poet, teaches French and is currently writing a manuscript.  She graciously volunteered her valuable editorial talent to help us put the finishing touches on this Winter 2002 issue.  Thank you Peggy!