ENLIGHTEN UP! a blogSelf-awareness stories: lighting our way to clarity, contentment and resilience in a complicated world.
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ENLIGHTEN UP! a blogSelf-awareness stories: lighting our way to clarity, contentment and resilience in a complicated world.
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Guest Post: Boca Recovery Center Addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether it's substance abuse, gambling, or other compulsive behaviors, overcoming addiction requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the individual. In recent years, holistic practices like yoga have gained recognition for their positive impact on addiction recovery. The ancient practice of yoga offers a unique set of tools that can significantly aid individuals on their journey to recovery. This article explores the role of yoga in addiction recovery and introduces two techniques that can be particularly beneficial. Understanding the Connection between Yoga and Addiction Recovery: Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it's a holistic practice that encompasses physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles. Its philosophy promotes self-awareness, mindfulness, and the development of a balanced and harmonious lifestyle. These aspects align closely with the goals of addiction recovery. Mind-Body Connection: Addiction often leads to a disconnection between the mind and body. Yoga helps individuals reconnect with their bodies through the practice of asanas. These postures not only improve physical health but also cultivate a sense of self-awareness. As individuals learn to listen to their bodies and become attuned to their sensations, they can better understand the triggers and responses that contribute to their addictive behaviors. Stress Reduction: Stress is a common trigger for addictive behaviors and relapse. Yoga incorporates various relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, that activate the body's relaxation response. This reduces stress, anxiety, and depression – all of which are common challenges in addiction recovery. Emotional Regulation: Many people turn to addiction as a way to cope with difficult emotions. Yoga encourages emotional regulation by teaching individuals to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Meditation and mindfulness practices in yoga help develop the capacity to manage emotions, reducing the need for substance or behavior-based coping mechanisms. Holistic Healing: Addiction affects not only the body but also the mind and spirit. Yoga's holistic approach addresses all these aspects. It can provide a sense of purpose, improved self-esteem, and a supportive community – all crucial elements in the recovery process. Yoga Techniques for Addiction Recovery: Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep): Yoga Nidra is a powerful technique for deep relaxation and inner exploration. It involves lying down in a comfortable position while following the guidance of an instructor. The practice systematically guides individuals through different layers of their being, helping them release tension and access subconscious patterns. In addiction recovery, Yoga Nidra can aid in uncovering underlying emotional triggers and promoting overall relaxation. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana): This pranayama technique involves breathing through alternate nostrils. It balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, promoting mental clarity and emotional stability. Nadi Shodhana can be immensely helpful in reducing cravings and impulsivity associated with addiction. It's a simple practice that can be done anywhere and anytime stress or triggers arise. In conclusion, the incorporation of yoga into addiction recovery programs can offer a holistic approach that addresses the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of healing. Through practices like asanas, pranayama, meditation, and ethical principles, individuals can rebuild their mind-body connection, manage stress, regulate emotions, and cultivate a sense of overall well-being. Yoga techniques like Yoga Nidra and Alternate Nostril Breathing further enhance these benefits. While yoga is not a substitute for professional treatment, it can be a valuable complementary tool in the journey to recovery, promoting lasting positive changes in the lives of those overcoming addiction. This guest post is provided by the staff of the Boca Recovery Center. You can find more information about their organization here: https://bocarecoverycenter.com/treatment/yoga/
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Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. - Eleanor Brown Too many of us move through life running on empty as we face demanding personal, professional and societal challenges. If we want to fix, or manage what we face, (or as a last resort accept it) we’ll need to find ways to bring more rest and self-care into our daily lives. Of course, we’ve all seen articles full of suggestions on how to do this. For example, one ‘how-to’ article I read last year included a list of ways to keep healthy and build stress hardiness. It listed the usual: limiting sugar, drinking more water, getting enough rest, and, of course, exercise. We know these things but sometimes we find ourselves so drained and exhausted that rest and self-care falls to the bottom of our endless ‘to-do’ lists. Before we jump on the self-care bandwagon, it helps to take a moment to understand what drains our energy and keeps us from taking better care of ourselves. Here are a few ideas to consider. Impatience. Feeling impatient much? Impatience is usually triggered when we want, or need, to accomplish something and suddenly realize that it’s going to require more energy, time and work than we thought. Impatience can leave us feeling annoyed, anxious, agitated, and frustrated. Long to-do lists. Super busy? When managing a busy schedule, and a long to-do list, it can be difficult to find time to fit in your yoga practice, take a walk or go to the gym. Stress. Stressed out? Is work piling up? Are you suffering from an overdose of OPE (other people’s energy)? Are you feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. If so, you have a heaping helping of unhelpful stress knocking at your mind/body door. Otherization. Have you been otherized? If you regularly find yourself on the receiving end of statements or actions that make you feel ‘less than,’ disrespected, betrayed, lied to or made to feel like an outcast, you’ve been otherized. Being otherized is incredibly draining. We all experience impatience, stress and times when we are super busy. Many of us have to add otherization to that soul-draining list. However, with a little awareness it’s always possible to address the draining with mini self-care breaks. Carving out 2-5 minutes during busy times is a practical way to do this. It will take a bit of self-awareness and discipline but it can have a positive effect on our physical and mental well-being. It’s important to point out that self-care for you might not mean the same thing for your best friend and it might even change for you over time. In an article at Every Day Health, Marni Amsellem, PhD, a licensed psychologist based in the greater New York metropolitan area says, “What is self-care for one person will likely differ from someone else, and what’s self-care for you one day might not feel like self-care another day,” (https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/). In addition, the benefits of self-care have been rigorously researched. If in doubt, do an online search. Remember, Google is your friend (most of the time!). Here are a few accessible yoga based suggestions to add to your daily life. And yes, I do one or more of these on a regular basis. Quick Mind/Body Tune Up Stretch in bed when you wake up in the morning or from a nap — if you’re fortunate enough to find time to take one!
4:4 Breathing If you find yourself stuck in traffic, standing in line at the grocery store or waiting in a doctor’s office, try 4:4 Breathing to help you calm your nervous system.
Shake It Off If you find yourself in a mid-afternoon 3:00 p.m. energy slump, skip the coffee or the soda and try Shake It Off to energize your body, increase oxygen levels in the bloodstream, stimulate your nervous system, and help with mental focus.
Child’s Pose This calms your nervous system and reduces the effects of anxiety and stress. Instructions
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Once you’ve managed to add in some mindful self-care for living in our material world, you may be ready to take your yoga and self-care journey to the next level. You can read about what that might entail in this blog post from my colleague Barrie Risman. https://www.barrierisman.com/blog/self-care |
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April 2024
AuthorBETH GIBBS started her yoga practice in 1968, four months after her son was born and she’s been practicing ever since. She currently teaches all levels therapeutic yoga classes for adults, and specialty classes for seniors in the Hartford, Connecticut area. Beth is a certified yoga therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is guest faculty at the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy. She writes for the blogs, Yoga for Healthy Aging, and Accessible Yoga. Her master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA is in Yoga Therapy and Mind/Body Health. Categories |
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Enlighten Up! a Blog
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