Vital Energy: The 7 Keys to Invigorate Body, Mind, and Soul

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 288 pages
• Published by: Wiley
• Edition: 1st Edition January 15, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0471398594
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0471398592
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 12.8 ounces

Product Review
The subject of energy is never far from most people's minds. We wish we had more, we wonder where what we used to have went, and we worry that our future energy is overcommitted to work and other obligations from which we derive no pleasure.

Vital Energy seems the perfect book for solving this increasingly widespread dilemma. Based on the ancient healing system of Ayurveda, which originated in India, it will help you identify yourself as an earth-, fire-, or wind-based personality. (Earth people tend to be more nurturing, fire people more competitive and driven, wind people more flighty and creative.) And then it presents seven key ways in which each of those types can improve their lives: finding yourself, eliminating toxins, feeding yourself better, building loving relationships, exercising, finding meaning in your work, playing passionately, and finding happiness and contentment by simply being alive.

While that may sound like an ethereal set of goals and standards, Dr. David Simon's advice is really focused and easy to apply. For example, in the chapter on exercise, a fire human being is told to choose outdoor or water-based fitness activities and to not make exercise another way in which he asserts his competitive drive. In the chapter on building loving relationships, Dr. Simon offers a way to "metabolize" feelings so that you can digest them, absorb what you need, and eliminate the rest, as you would with food. There's even advice on how to have better bowel movements in the morning.

Dr. Simon is medical director of Deepak Chopra's Center for Well Being, so the readers most interested in Dr. Chopra's work will probably be drawn to Vital Energy. But it would be a shame if this book only ended up in the hands of those already familiar with Ayurvedic medicine and philosophy. Vital Energy is a completely engaging, easy-to-follow introduction to Ayurveda, and anyone searching for better health, vitality, and well-being should give it a read. --Lou Schuler --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal
By filling out the numerous questionnaires contained in this book, readers can discover which of the seven basic mind-body types they are: earth, wind, fire, or some combination of these. However, Simon explains that we all embody the three basic principles to varying degrees, and he suggests that understanding how these forces interact and affect the mind-body connection can lead to increased vitality. Once medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or anemia have been ruled out as causes for fatigue, we need to discover our "inner ocean of vital energy." Chapters instruct readers on how to, among other things, Seek Yourself, Clear Your Toxins, and Work with Meaning. Simon, medical director of the Chopra Center for Well Being and author of Return to Wholeness and The Wisdom of Healing, provides practical advice to help us understand that "we are composed of the same stuff that makes the world and [that] enables us to imbibe the energy we need to create balance and vitality in our lives." For large public libraries.AJodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn.-- enables us to imbibe the energy we need to create balance and vitality in our lives." For large public libraries.AJodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Vital Energy: The 7 Keys to Invigorate Body, Mind, and Soul (Hardcover) Dr. Simon does a marvelous job explaining how to tap into energy that we already have. Simon begins by helping us understand our own natures using "Earth-Wind-Fire" categories. From there, Simon advises on all sorts of areas such as the best types of foods for each elemental type, best type of physical activity, etc. Simon also advises on the importance of meditation and relaxation. Vital Energy is a very interesting and informative read, and a must-have for those who seek to improve their view of life and increase their energy.