Yoga for Addiction Recovery
8 Limbs, 10 Bodies, 12 Steps
by
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Recovery requires more than eliminating the identified substance or maladaptive behavior. Inner and outer change is necessary. Yoga can be used for energy management, just as the 12 Steps are applied for behavior management. One of the best benefits yoga can give to those in recovery is relaxation. This is especially true for those in treatment centers and new to recovery. Yoga is also helpful in supporting the recovery process because both yoga and the 12 Steps adhere to similar spiritual principles. Yoga may often be thought of solely as a physical practice, especially if you’re only looking at the cover of yoga magazines while in the checkout line at the grocery store, but at its core yoga is a spiritual practice. Yoga is not just something to do, it is a way of being and interacting with the living world that fits right into the 12 Step lifestyle. The disease of addiction does not have a cure based in medicine, but a reprieve and reparation based in spirituality. The addict cannot pop a pill to make the addiction go away, but through introspective healing and support, recovery is possible. Recovery is available to everyone, but it must be personally chosen and claimed. Whether you are applying this book for personal practice and growth, or interested in learning about the topic of yoga and recovery, or you’re going to teach yoga to recovering people, rule number one is to go with the flow. Great plans are often derailed, and flexibility is needed as we continue on our path. Maintaining an open and flexible mind allows for an identification with similarities, rather than a search for differences. Both yoga and recovery seek connection with body, mind, spirit, and community. I think my favorite story from teaching in treatment centers, which pretty much sums up the practice of Kundalini yoga, came in the form of a quiet whisper in the back of the room. For those of you who are familiar with Kundalini yoga you’ll know we do different and interesting kriyas and meditations; sometimes they could even be described as weird. Let me remind you that the practice is all about how it makes you feel, not how you look. Anyway, I was in a treatment center for male parolees teaching yoga to a pretty mellow, compliant class, and in the back row there was a small group of tough looking men. Now, I can hear very well, and when what was meant to be a whispered comment reached my ears, I had to refrain from laughing aloud. One of the men, a gang member fresh out of prison, with tattoos covering his bald head and his entire face, leaned over to his friend and said in regard to the yoga practice, “Man, this is the craziest shit I’ve ever seen, and I thought I’d seen everything.” I went on teaching class and never let him know I heard his comment, but thought to myself, “you just got out of prison and your face is covered in tattoos, and this is the craziest shit you’ve ever seen?!” I believe his statement to be true.
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About the Book
Yoga for Addiction Recovery delivers just that; practical yoga techniques and tools to support ongoing recovery from active addiction. Years spent, by the author, in both recovery and in practicing yoga have made clear that the underlying principles of both yoga and the 12 Steps weave together, complimenting each other in a totally cohesive way. If you are in recovery yourself, apply and absorb what you can use. If you are wanting to teach a yoga class to a recovering population, this book will give you a better understanding of the disease concept, in addition to the process your students will be walking through.
About the Author
Patty Wildasinn was born and raised in Southern California, and still lives there with her husband. Patty is a Level Two certified Kundalini Yoga teacher and has taught yoga to all levels and abilities. She loves working with seniors, kids with special needs, people in chemical dependency rehabilitation centers, and those in recovery from addiction. She is passionate about sharing the positive benefits of yoga, which has motivated her to create a practical yoga manual that seamlessly blends yoga and the 12 Steps. Prior to teaching yoga, she worked professionally as a nationally certified addiction counselor. She has spent over three decades helping others to discover their own success in addiction recovery. Her background in human development carries over naturally into her teaching and writing. In the beginning of her yoga journey, Patty was given the spiritual name of Patwant Kaur. The destiny provided by the name translates as “The Princess Who is the Keeper of the Honor.” Patty is honored to maintain, expand, and share life and the yogic teachings with extraordinary groups of people.