Reinvention & Recovery
  • Home
  • Coaching
  • Contact
  • Words of Wisdom

a dynamic duo: yoga & recovery

11/24/2014

 
I have been asked many times why yoga and healing go hand in hand. In all the work I do, I see time and again the value of incorporating yoga practice into a recovery lifestyle is great. So, again to the question “why yoga and recovery?” for all of you out there who have wondered. Here are a few of the answers for all these queries, questions, curiosities and interest in the relationship between yoga and recovery, specifically from addictive patterns.

In active addiction, we become disconnected from the energies within us. Life becomes small and dark, confusing and scary. It is when someone comes to a place of being ready to try something different, to ask for help and receive it, that a few truths become clear; the truths that recovery is possible and healing happens becomes a belief, a life line, a doorway into new healthy and whole living. In treatment from addiction, accessing the mind is only one part of the healing process. Through body-mind awareness and the practice yoga, healing happens in a multitude of ways; not only mentally, but also emotionally, physically, physiologically and spiritually. The parts of self that have been fragmented through the addiction process begin to integrate, coming together in new and meaningful ways, as treatment is sought and utilized.


Recovery is all about uncovering patterns of behavior and truth-telling, finding a new way to be with the whole self and developing a path of behaviors that support the life you want to live. Just as addiction shows up in unique ways, so does recovery. What helps one person might be less helpful to another. Finding the ways you feel supported and more connected to your self is part of the recovery process; accessing multiple paths toward healing holds the benefit of accruing more resources for the recovery toolbox. Yoga and mindfulness are one of the many paths toward healing available in a recovery lifestyle. Through the integration of yoga into a treatment plan, addiction is addressed and patterns of recovery are learned. Recovery happens as we get to know ourselves; being with the physical body is an important part of the process. When we become aligned with ourselves, we also become aligned with life in new ways. Through showing up to the present moment and learning how to practice mindfulness in practical ways, healing becomes possible that was not available before. Being in the moment is practicing acceptance, a spiritual and fundamental principle of recovery. Acceptance paves the way for healing. Learning to be with the body and mind through a yoga practice leads to decreased anxiety, physical discomfort, illness, depression. Thousands of studies prove that the benefits of mindfulness are many, particularly in recovery from addiction, anxiety and other co-occurring disorders. Yoga is one way to practice mindfulness. 

It is common that active addiction leads to dissociation, a disconnection from the body. One of the challenges and opportunities inherent in early and ongoing sobriety is to be with the body as it is. Alcohol, drugs and other harmful behavior once helped to cope with the feelings that are difficult to be with; now the practice of mindfulness can be used to deal with life on life’s terms in healthy and nourishing ways. 

Yoga and Meditation can help to overcome the challenges that rise during early sobriety. Recovery calls us to cultivate, honesty, willingness and trust. Breath work, yoga, meditation and other mindfulness practices [found within Dialectic Behavior Therapy and many spiritual/religious traditions], when combined with other forms of treatment, greatly increase the success of ongoing sobriety, recovery, health, wholeness and meaningful living.

Comments are closed.

    Darcy Helene Meehan

    As an advocate of Reinvention  + Recovery, I work with clients to achieve balance, alignment and purpose in all areas
    of life. I specialize in a psycho-spiritual approach that brings simple coaching and counseling tools in to assist you in healing, wholeness and thriving through transition. I focus on specific areas, including maintaining extended recovery and
    conscious life design.

    Picture

      Contact Darcy:

    Submit


    Categories

    All
    Acceptance
    Allow
    Awareness
    Balance
    Blessings
    Challenge
    Change
    Choice
    Coaching Strategies
    Courage
    Dream
    Faith
    Fun
    Gratitude
    Honesty
    Independence
    Influence
    Intuition
    Invitation
    Knowledge
    New
    Peace
    Plan Of Action
    Poise
    Practice
    Priorities
    Questions
    Reaction
    Recovery
    Reflection
    Reframe
    Release
    Response
    Trust
    Vulnerability

    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    July 2012

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe Today FOR THE LATEST NEWS & Gifts!

Submit
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • Coaching
  • Contact
  • Words of Wisdom