Carol Cumes' Chakra Gardens Wins the Independent Publisher IPPY Gold Award for Best Body/Mind/Spirit Book 2009

Carol Cumes, author, gardener, and yoga retreat chatelaine has won the Independent Publisher Award, also known as the IPPY Award, for Best Body/Mind/Spirit Book 2009 for her publication Chakra Gardens: Opening the Senses of the Soul (Mitra Publishing, 2008). The Gold Award will be given at a ceremony during Book Expo America on May 29, 2009 in New York, New York.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 28, 2009 -- Chakra Gardens Author Carol Cumes Wins the Independent Publisher IPPY Gold Award for Best Body/Mind/Spirit Book 2009

Carol Cumes, author, gardener, yoga retreat chatelaine, and non-profit founder of the Willka T'ika Children's Fund in Peru, has won the Independent Publisher Award (also known as the IPPY Award), for Best Body/Mind/Spirit Book 2009 for her publication Chakra Gardens: Opening the Senses of the Soul (Mitra Publishing, 2008). The Gold Award will be given at a ceremony during Book Expo America on May 29, 2009 in New York, New York.

Cumes' Chakra Gardens invites the reader into the world of the Sacred Valley, deep in the heart of the Andes of Peru, and into a magical reconnection with Mother Earth and oneself. Each chapter weaves stories of personal healing and transformation with the garden's elements, and includes a living cultural history of the Quechua people, and the sacred rituals and ceremonies they use to create a world in balance. The seven chakra gardens are inspired by the ancient yoga philosophy which connects the seven energy centers to one's soul. "Chakra gardens are gardens of peace. They do not restrict or impose. They simply support people in experiencing their own deep connection to Source," writes the author.

Proceeds from the book benefit the non-profit Willka T'ika Children's Fund to support the isolated mountain schools and Andean children in their communities.

"The book truly touched our judges, and its attention is much deserved," comments Jim Barnes, Managing Editor of Book Publishing.com and the Awards Director.

"The Independent Publisher Book 'IPPY' Awards honor books which exhibit courage, innovation, and the creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground, and bring about change not only to the world of publishing, but to our society," adds Barnes. Award submissions are from publishers of all sizes and budgets, and books are judged with that in mind. All independent, university, small press, and self-publishers who produce books intended for the North American market are eligible. Over 1,500 publishers from the U.S., Canada, and 18 other countries participated with entries.

More about Carol Cumes and her work can be found at ChakraGardens.com, and WillkaTika.com.

###