RECENTLY DUBBED "the closest
thing to a living saint" by the Australian media, Louise L. Hay is also
known as one of the founders of the self-help movement. Her first book, Heal
Your Body, was published in 1976, long before it was fashionable to discuss the
connection between the mind and body. Revised and expanded in 1988, this
best-selling book introduced Louise's concepts to people in 33 different
countries and has been translated into 25 languages throughout the world.
Through Louise’s healing
techniques and positive philosophy, millions have learned how to create more of
what they want in their lives, including more wellness in their bodies, minds,
and spirits. Her own personal philosophy was forged from her tormented
upbringing. Her childhood was unstable and impoverished, and her teen years
were marked by abuse. Louise ran away from home and ended up in New York City,
where she became a model and married a prosperous businessman. Although it
appeared that her life had turned around, it was not until the marriage ended
14 years later that her healing really began.
Louise started what would become
her life's work in New York City in 1970. She attended meetings at the Church
of Religious Science and began training in the ministerial program. She became
a popular speaker at the church, and soon found herself counseling clients.
This work quickly blossomed into a full-time career. After several years,
Louise compiled a reference guide detailing the mental causes of physical
ailments, and developed positive thought patterns for reversing illness and
creating health. This compilation was the basis for Heal Your Body, also known
affectionately as "the little blue book." She began traveling
throughout the United States, lecturing and facilitating workshops on loving
ourselves and healing our lives.
Louise was able to put her
philosophies into practice when she was diagnosed with cancer. She considered
the alternatives to surgery and drugs, and instead developed an intensive
program of affirmations, visualization, nutritional cleansing, and
psychotherapy. Within six months, she was completely healed of cancer.
In 1980, Louise moved back to her
native Southern California, and it was here that she began putting her workshop
methods on paper. In 1984, her new book, You Can Heal Your Life, was published.
In it, Louise explains how our beliefs and ideas about ourselves are often the
cause of our emotional problems and physical maladies and how, by using certain
tools, we can change our thinking and our lives for the better.
You Can Heal Your Life reached
the New York Times bestseller list and remained on it for 13 consecutive weeks.
More than 50 million copies of You Can Heal Your Life have been sold throughout
the world. Twenty years later, due to her appearances on the Oprah Winfrey
Show, You Can Heal Your Life was again on the New York Times bestseller list.
The first time in that publication’s history that has happened!
In 1985, Louise began her famous
support group, "The Hayride," with six men diagnosed with AIDS. By
1988, the group had grown to a weekly gathering of 800 people and had moved to
an auditorium in West Hollywood. Once again, Louise had started a movement of
love and support long before people began to wear red ribbons in their lapels.
It was during this time that she wrote The AIDS Book: Creating a Positive
Approach, based on her experiences with this powerful group.
Louise now heads Hay House, a
successful publishing company. What began as a small venture in the living room
of her home has turned into a prosperous corporation that has sold millions of
books and tapes worldwide. Hay House authors include many notables in the
self-help movement, including Wayne Dyer, Joan Borysenko, and Doreen Virtue,
among others. In addition, The Hay Foundation is a non-profit organization
established by Louise that encourages and financially supports diverse
organizations which supply food, shelter, counseling, hospice care and money to
those with Aids, battered women and other crises.
At 81, Louise released her
first-ever film on her life and work You Can Heal Your Life: The Movie. To
watch the trailer visit www.youcanhealyourlifemovie.com. She continues to
lecture around the world, recently returning from trips to Great Britain,
Australia and Canada. When she’s not traveling, Louise enjoys painting,
gardening, and dancing at her home in San Diego, California.
