and The Stress of Life (New York: McGraw-Hill,
1976). Some have referred to him as “the Einstein
of medicine.” A physician and endocrinologist with
several honorary degrees for his pioneering contri-
butions to science, Selye also served as a professor
and director of the Institute of Experimental Medi-
cine and Surgery at the University of Montreal.
According to the National Stress Institute, research
indicates that stress is related to cardiac, gastroin-
testinal, skin, neurological, immune system, and
emotional disorders.
See also LONGEVITY MEDICINE; NEUROLINGUISTIC
PROGRAMMING.
sexual chakra Another term for the root chakra
in Ayurvedic medicine.
See also CHAKRAS.
shad rasa In Ayurvedic medicine the six basic
tastes: salty, sweet, acidic, pungent, bitter, and
astringent.
See also AYURVEDA.
shaman From the Evenki language (the Tungusic
language of Siberia), the term for a priest or priest-
ess who acts as a healer through the use of magic
based on the belief in gods, demons, and ancestral
spirits. Shamanism is a religious practice of people
in far northern Europe and Siberia. Women
shamans also have a long history in China, India,
and other Asian countries and are known to use
traditional medicine as well as laying on of hands,
rituals, incantation, herbalism, and spiritual heal-
ing energy in attempts to cure disease. In Korea a
woman shaman is called a mansin. A Haitian
Voodoo priestess is called a mambo. In Hispanic cul-
ture she is known as curandera.
See also CURANDERISMO; KAHUNA; SANGOMA;
VOODOO.
Shealy, C. Norman A medical doctor and Ph.D.,
the founder of the American Holistic Medical Asso-
ciation, and a respected neurosurgeon. Shealy is
the director of the Shealy Institute, Springfield,
Missouri, a center for comprehensive health care
and pain and stress management. His books
include Miracles Do Happen and The Self-Healing
Workbook, and he served as consulting editor for
The Complete Family Guide to Natural Home Remedies
and The Complete Family Guide to Alternative Medicine
(both published by Element Books, Boston, Mass.)shen In traditional Chinese medicine an individ-
ual’s spirit, or a highly significant aspect of a per-
son’s mind or spirit.shiatsu A type of massage.
See also MASSAGE.shivananda A form of yoga.
See also YOGA.Siegel, Bernie S. An American surgeon, teacher,
and prominent advocate of holistic healing. Former
president of the American Holistic Medical Associa-
tion, he is the author of the best-selling books Love,
Medicine & Miracles; Peace, Love and Healing: Bodymind
Communication and the Path to Self-Healing: An Explo-
ration; How to Live between Office Visits;and Prescrip-
tions for Living. For the last 20 years Siegel, until
recently a surgeon at Yale New Haven Hospital, has
emphasized the importance of each person’s taking
responsibility for his or her health and health care.
He formed an organization, called EcAP, which has
been highly successful in helping people with can-
cer. On the Internet article “Conscious Healing,”
Siegel said: “I’d say that the key element... prob-
ably has to do with group meetings. These are
opportunities to get a sharing; a new family; and
love. When there is the ability to express all of
these feelings, an incredible healing occurs in
groups. Then the other components are things like
reading, meditating, living in the moment, dealing
with feelings and learning to love one’s self. But I
think underlying all of this while talking to doctors
who are dealing with heart disease, with infertility,
with cancer and AIDS, is that the group seems to be
the unique powerful thing. And again I call it the
‘care-frontation/loving discipline.’ This is a group
where we are here to change. And that’s a power-
ful part of it I think.” More information is available
at http://www.ethoschannel.com/personalgrowth/voices/
bs_voices.html
In a 1991 interview with Tova Navarra intended
for publication in the Asbury Park Press, a New Jer-
sey daily newspaper, Siegel revealed many of his142 sexual chakra