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Sexual Secrets Twentieth Anniversary Edition The Alchemy of Ecstasy

Sexual Secrets Twentieth Anniversary Edition The Alchemy of Ecstasy

A massive compendium, furnishing just about everything you always wanted to know. — The Book Reader

A remarkably complete book stocked with the knowledge of esoteric Asian traditions never before seen by Western eyes. — The Village Voice

An intriguingly illustrated, thoroughly researched collage designed to enhance sexual consciousness. — New Age Magazine

For twenty years Sexual Secrets has been the spiritual person’s guide to celestial copulation. — ForeWord, October 1999

For twenty years Sexual Secrets has been the spiritual person’s guide to celestial copulation. Flesh meets faith inside this book and each is the better for it. — ForeWord

Monumentally researched, comprehensively detailed, and profusely illustrated. . . . Sexual Secrets is a timely, well-rounded masterpiece. This reviewer’s reaction can be summed up in two words: BUY IT! — Yoga Journal

Sexual Secrets gathers together the best parts from several different traditions of erotic lore. — Sheela Ardrian, New Witch, Autumn 2002

Sexual Secrets is a timely, well-rounded masterpiece. — Yoga Journal

The book touches on every aspect of sacred sexuality that you could imagine and even those you might not. — Healing Retreats & Spas

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Fun Reading
I haven’t read the book yet but I got it because People magazine reported that Wil Smith and Jada Pickett Smith read from it together at night to keep their romance hot.

5 Stars A Complex Study Of Sexuality as a Spiritual Practice
This is an interesting book to say the least. There are many, many books out concerning Tantric and Taoist sexual practices few of them actually have anything to do with Tantric Yoga or Taoism. Tantra, in the West, is automatically associated with sexuality but in actuality sex is a very small part of Tantra. Tantra is a path(unlike vedanta)that tends to embrace all eight limbs of Yoga and all of the practices. In essence, Tantric Yogi’s believe that anything can be a gateway to enlightenment and unity with the Divine. Surprisingly, despite the title of the book, the authors do a good job of outlining that holistic idea. This is more than just a book on sexual positions (which most books on Tantra and Taoist sex tend to be); if read carefully it outlines a good basic practice of Asana, pranayama and meditation as well as outlining the importance of male ejaculatory control so key to health in the Taoist traditions. Included in this manual are specific practices that not only help to achieve ejaculatory control, but also help to develop the Bandas (the physical retentions that pool prana/chi in various key chakras). If a practitioner were to remove the sexual aspects of this book they would still have a very good mind/body/spirit manual. Well done.

Although there are no photographs in this book, there are plenty of sketches ranging from the very modern (drawn I believe by one of the authors) to the traditional (directly from the Kama Sutra, Taoist texts and Japanese block prints). The sexual practices are detailed both in writing and drawing and although the practices can’t help but create deeper intimacy between partners, the true purpose of the practice is to move the Kundalini up the spinal column awakening the chakras and ultimately toward enlightenment and health.

This book is not something to be read lightly, but a text book for those that have a serious interest in Eastern sexual and tantric (of the non-sexual kind) practice.

5 Stars great overview of sacred sex practices
First published in 1979, this popular book (over 1 million copies sold) presents a concise and articulate overview of the history and philosophy of sacred sex. Practical exercises and meditations are interspersed throughout. It will work well for people who like to know the background of what they are doing and would like to pick and choose and create on their own the activities they will do in their exploration. It overflows with wonderful erotic drawings by Penny Slinger.

5 Stars Poor Title, Awesome Book
I often laugh at all those articles in men’s and women’s fad magazines that promise to reveal new “sexual secrets”. You know which ones I mean . . . “Become an Animal in Bed”; “9 Ways to Turn Him On”; “Keep Her Motor Humming”; “Sex Secrets Your Neighbors Won’t Tell You”; “11 Erotic Uses for a Chicken Baster” . . . stuff like that. The list goes on and on, ad nauseum. Geared towards couples who have their obligatory sex two times a week for 30 minutes and need new, neat little sound-bite ideas to keep things from getting boring. All heavy on fancy shtick and paint-by-number techniques, light on any real depth or substance.

And so . . . I write this review to promise readers that, despite the poor choice of main title, this exceptional tome is not like that at all. “Secrets” here refers to holistic, ancient wisdom that celebrates the beauty and power of the sexual energy within all of us; sexual energy that permeates all of life. Thus the subtitle, “The Alchemy of Ecstacy”, more accurately hits upon the truth. The word ‘tantra’ means ‘interwoven’. The two authors have compiled a veritable bible of ancient tantric wisdom illuminating the interconnectedness of all things - an interconnectedness that has its most wonderful, powerful, and delicious expression in the sexual union between two people.

Think of this book as an encyclopedia of sacred sexuality, albeit one not in alphabetical order . . . and not sold by traveling, door-to-door salesmen, thank goodness. It is a guide to everyday living, but not from a dogmatic perspective. It is a grand expose of everything sexual. The authors provide explanations of yoga poses, stretching techniques, and breathing exercises (for instance, to summon that kundalini energy up the spine). They even have small sections devoted to food, water, clothing, massage, worship, and service to others. But it also probes (pardon the pun) the depths of the stories of Brahma the Creative, Shiva and Shakti, and Vishnu the Preserver. And of course, there are plenty of sexual positions and sensual poetry. With pictures! We like pictures!

The whole point is that, despite what organized religion would like us to think, we are sexual creatures and we should be celebrating that fact every day through our everyday activities. All of these things (eating, yoga, service, etc) ARE manifestations of our sexual energy - giving to and connecting with Life and with others. Cultivating that sexual energy (indeed, our very life-force energy and the energy that creates Universes . . . if you will allow my melodramatic flourish) is a constant, all-day thing. But not with the sole purpose of “getting some” or even “being a better lover”. Instead, to connect with Source through sexual union and remember our Oneness. As the authors say in the Introduction, “It is for those who wish to use the sexual bond as a means to liberation and who desire to transcend the limits of the individual self.”

This book helped start me down the path of tantra and sacred sexuality a few years ago. May I humbly recommend it to others who seek the same.

1 Star Homophobic and Inaccurate
Homosexuality is treated as a flaw to be overcome. It is said that practicing gay men can make no spiritual progress. Tantra and Yoga are offered as means by which one can cease being gay.

Much of the historical notes were dated at the time of the book’s original publication and only seem more so after so many years.

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WEST COAST SWING LEVEL 1 2 TWENTY 20 HOT WEST COAST SWING MOVES LEARN FROM WORLD FAMOUS BALLROOM DANCE CHAMPION

WEST COAST SWING LEVEL 1 2 TWENTY 20 HOT WEST COAST SWING MOVES LEARN FROM WORLD FAMOUS BALLROOM DANCE CHAMPION

1. WEST COAST SWING - this DVD has 20 different West Coast Swing moves.
Each move demonstrated with the music in real speed first, and then in slow motion. In the end, this DVD has a bonus material - which includes : short episodes from 24 Dances in Level 1 - 2, from 21 Dances Level 3 4, from 15 Dances in Wedding Program, and from 13 Dance Workshops. Running time aprox. 118 minutes.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great WCS Basics Video!
I recently purchased this video to enhance by basic knowledge of West Coast Swing. The teacher goes over all the basics and breaks down the moves and timing of the man’s and ladie’s parts so it is very understandable! I am looking forward to purchasing the next level and learning more moves.

1 Star Unnamed moves
While the “moves” shown were well done and demonstated in slow motion even, they would have done better to name the various moves or sequences. That is the normal method when teaching dancing and would make remembering the seqences much easier. For instance - Move #1 doesn’t mean anything to me, while calling it a “right side pass.” does mean something.

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100 Essential Steps for Healthy Living

100 Essential Steps for Healthy Living

Angela Coldwell provides inspiration for making simple, yet effective, lifestyle changes to become a happier, healthier person.

In 100 Essential Steps for Healthy Living, readers are given a roadmap to good health. Simply put, readers will discover how a few small lifestyle changes can add up to make a huge difference in improving one’s health and well being. Lifestyle adjustments are essential and the book outlines the necessary steps to take in order to look and feel better than ever.

Having achieved a healthy well-balanced life, the author shares her top 100 tips on maintaining good health and fitness, and she encourages others to follow in her footsteps. With each tip there is an amusing image to help readers remember the author’s message.

A quick and easy read, 100 Essential Steps for Healthy Living shows readers how simple lifestyle changes can enhance their long term quality of life.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars What a waste.
I know I didn’t pay alot for this book, but I felt that it was a total waste of money. Each page is one sentence and a picture and it certainly did not contain any profound suggestions for healthy living (drink water?).

5 Stars Inspiring read!
This book makes complete and total sense. It inspired and motivated me to start taking better care of myself.

5 Stars Fun reading
I really enjoyed reading this book. If we all applied the principles in this book we would all be eating healthy and feeling great! An excellent source of inspiration. Loved the photos too!

5 Stars Motivational Gift Book
This is a great gift book written with simplicity, wisdom and good sense. Unless you are perfect and already implementing all the steps in this book, then it is sure to provide you with the motivation to try harder to look after yourself.

5 Stars Great Gift Book!
All of Angela Coldwell’s books are great gifts. Her photographs match the literature beneath each photo helping to remind you of what is important in life.

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