Hour 82 Yoga Therapy – Addiction Recovery
Yoga Therapy for Recovery from Addiction
Addiction is not just a physical addiction; it is strongly embedded in emotional suffering, trauma, alienation, and a lack of balance of mind-body consciousness. Yoga therapy provides an integrated and holistic way for people recovering from substance abuse, alcoholism, and behavioral addiction by reconnecting one with one’s inner self, balancing the nervous system, and ensuring self-regulation.
Understanding Addiction from the Yogic View
According to yoga philosophy, addiction is due to imbalance of the manomaya kosha (sheath of the mind) and vijnanamaya kosha (sheath of the intellect), leading to habitual behavior that overrules voluntary will. Through yoga, it is sought to re-establish equilibrium in all the five koshas, particularly with conscious movement, breathing, and meditative mindfulness.
Main Purposes of Yoga Therapy for Recovering Addiction
Reuniting Body and Mind: Addiction tends to disjoin the individual from body awareness. Yoga reunites gently.
Suppressing Cravings and Urges: Pranayama and meditation stabilize the nervous system and reduce compulsive impulses.
Emotional Balance: Yoga Nidra and other practices address long-standing trauma and emotional turmoil.
Developing Inner Calm and Willpower: Yogic practices empower the buddhi (discerning mind) and build self-discipline.
Successful Yogic Techniques for Recovery from Addiction
1. Asanas (Postures)
Emphasis is on grounding, slow, restorative postures that soothe the nervous system and enhance body awareness.
Tadasana (Mountain Pose):
Importance: Establishes stability and awareness.
Modification: Practice close to a wall for support if necessary.
Balasana (Child’s Pose):
Importance: Promotes calmness and eases anxiety.
Modification: Place a bolster under the forehead or chest for added comfort.
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose):
Importance: Opens chest, enhances circulation, and eases mild depression.
Modification: Place a yoga block under the sacrum for support.
Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose):
Meaning: Good to quieten the mind and relax for better sleep.
Adaptation: Have a folded blanket under the hips.
2. Pranayama (Breathwork)
Breathing is a gateway from body to mind and has profound use in addictions.
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing):
Balances the two hemispheres of the brain and pacifies the nervous system.
Bhramari (Humming Bee Breath):
Calms the mind and abates mental agitation, thereby better managing craving.
Deep Belly Breathing
Grounding and relaxation: a default tactic in times of emotional pain or withdrawal.
3. Meditation and Mindfulness
Yoga Nidra: Profoundly guided relaxation acting on the unconscious and freeing untapped emotions.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Bhavana): Assists re-establishment of compassion and forgiving oneself.
Mindful Observation: Fosters awareness of cravings without condemnation—emotional resilience building.
Establishing a Trauma-Informed, Supportive Environment
Maintain instruction as gentle, invitational, and non-hierarchical.
Provide choices to establish autonomy.
Prevent coercive or physically strenuous practices that could overwhelm the participant.
Maintain a non-judgmental space at all times.
Integration with Contemporary Recovery Programs
Yoga therapy can integrate with current clinical and rehabilitation programs like 12-step recovery, CBT, and group therapy. When well-integrated, it improves the individual’s ability to remain centered, self-aware, and engaged in their healing process.
Conclusion
Yoga therapy is not a replacement but a powerful adjunct to addiction recovery. It gives the practitioner tools to rebuild trust in the body, calm the mind, and rediscover inner peace. Through consistent practice, yoga becomes a daily anchor—a path from chaos to clarity, from compulsion to conscious living.