This is a review of the audio-taped presentation given by midwife, Ina Mae Gaskin at the 12th International Congress of the Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health, November, 2005

This review is of the delightful and
inspiring presentation titled, "Body, Belif and Beyond," by midwife,
Ina May Gaskin at the 2005 Congress in San Diego.

Ina introduces herself and her topic,
getting really comfortable with the bodily functions and birth, through engaging storytelling. Participants are carried through significant events in Ina's journey with seemingly synchronistic, squeemishly comical highlights, while all the while Ina is taking us ever-deeper into
our own individual and collective
taboos.

With a truly masterful balance of tact and candor, Ina invites us to honestly take stock of the distinctions between how we prefer to perceive the body--compared to how we'll talk about it--compared to what is true in actual experience. The end of the presentation leaves no wonder why it might be that women in Western culture have at times found it challenging to relax and "let it all hang out" to birth our babies. And also, how these challenges can be transformed and integrated into a natural and beautiful comfort zone, with perception patience and practice.

This tape is recommended to anyone invested in natural childbirth, or just getting more comfortable in their own body and the experience of being human.