Addictions are of all types – alcohol, prescription medication, banned substances, gambling – they can destroy lives, livelihoods, relationships and families. There could be emotional reasons, a genetic predisposition, traumatic events, or shame, which result in additions. While the correct professional protocol of medications, therapy and other interventions must be followed, yoga also helps to get over addiction.
How yoga can help get over addiction
Addiction recovery groups and centers frequently include yoga as a part of therapy. The practice of yoga helps by reducing stress and helping a person relax. Yoga can help reduce the psychological stress and anxiety that a person may feel; helping them cope more effectively with their emotions. Yoga is an effective coping mechanism. Developing coping mechanisms is important for people with addictions because it helps them deal effectively with triggering situations or people; which could induce addictive behavior. Researchers find that not having effective coping mechanisms poses a very real danger of relapse into addiction.
Addicts frequently feel out of control of their lives, emotions and actions. Yoga helps because of the way that it helps the person get in tune with their body and regain a semblance of self control. Yoga and meditation help increase mindfulness, concentration and also help elevate the mood of the person. As the Yogasutras of Patanjali tell us, yoga can help to control the fluctuations of the mind; fluctuations that often lead people to indulge in risky behavior or self harm.
Thirdly, as yoga makes the body fitter and stronger, this has a further positive influence on someone trying to overcome addiction. Improved physical health makes a person fitter, feel better and more able and more self confident. As physical endurance increases the person will be able to withstand withdrawal symptoms more effectively. Performing yoga with an instructor or in a class can act as a support system for the person in recovery.
Inspiring stories of recovery with the help of yoga
I read about Tommy Rosen who spoke about how he started to perform yoga when he became sober; and how he has been doing yoga for the 23 years that he has been addiction free. By his own admission he battled addiction to alcohol, cocaine and heroin among other substances and he believes that yoga is “indispensable in the treatment of addiction”. He believes that he became more comfortable with his mind and his body thanks to yoga; which helped him overcome his addictions.
I came across another inspiring story about the journey from addiction to sobriety with yoga. The writer speaks about coming out of yoga class feeling balanced, alive, grounded and feeling that things were going to be OK! The writer found yoga to be effective in battling anxiety and panic attacks. It helped keep the writer off meds and even helped overcome depression.
Another story; that of Kelly Benson was also inspiring for me. According to experts, one of the hardest parts of recovery is being unable to sit still or stay calm and at peace with one’s body and mind. This is where yoga helps. Not only does it calm the mind, it also improves blood flow and strength according to Benson. “Your whole mind is in conflict. And your mind is your worst enemy,” she says, describing yoga as ‘moving meditation’ which helped her so much. She recommends certain poses for their specific beneficial impacts: the standing bow pose (also called the Dandayamana Dhanurasana) helps increase balance and concentration. The camel pose (or Ustrasana) helps release past trauma. The tree pose (or vrikshasan) helps in finding stillness and offers the opportunity to connect with the inner self.
As I continue my journey as a yogi, it seems to me that there are more and more discoveries to be made about yoga; that I will keep discovering and learning more and more in times to come.