INNER BEAUTY, INNER LIGHT: Yoga for Pregnant Women

Those already attuned to Leboyer or yoga or both will be most receptive to this poetic approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Yoga here gives freedom through discipline, helps a mother deliver a robust and healthy child, and serves as ""the golden key to unlock the fear regarding the known and hidden pains of childbirth which are due to past karma and to replace them with unalloyed pleasures."" ""Sageness within, Kingliness without"" are the precepts; ""Not strength but intelligence. And flexibility. And balance."" The Asanas, or breathing exercises, for standing, sitting, and lying postures, are demonstrated by Vanita (daughter of yoga teacher B. K. S. Iyengar), a radiant woman who stands on her head and seems to move effortlessly. . . in her ninth month. Towards the end, a secret is revealed to her. ""Giving birth and making love. . . are one and the same experience."" As relaxation techniques, these exercises are compatible with other yoga teachings. As poetry, or an attempt to bring the teacher to the woman, they're less successful.