How to Establish a Yoga Routine For Addiction Recovery

How to Establish a Yoga Routine For Addiction Recovery

 Yoga is truly a holistic wonder. It has many health benefits: physical, mental, and spiritual. If you’re struggling with addiction and looking to become more physically active, consider trying out yoga. Research has found that yoga and mindfulness are complementary therapies for addiction. Here are some suggestions from psychotherapist and yoga teacher Adelle Deriquito on how to establish a yoga routine for addiction recovery.

Do something small daily

Yoga classes can get a little...intense. They can last as long as two hours, and there’s such a huge variety of yoga practices that you don’t always know where to start. The good news is that you can exercise for as few as five minutes a day and still reap the health benefits. While yoga isn’t always going to be high-intensity, it’s valuable to develop healthy workout habits. Start with doing something small, and do it regularly.

Do yoga at your best time of day

 Here’s even more good news: you don’t have to get up early to do yoga. If that’s what you want, then go for it. However, if you find that you’re falling over while doing tree pose because you’re tired, try doing yoga at a different time of day. According to the Washington Post, research has found that people exercise best later in the day, so take some time during lunch or whenever you feel the most energized and grab your yoga mat. It’ll be easier for you, which in turn will help you as you focus on recovery from your addiction.

Take classes locally

 If you’re feeling a little clueless about the whole yoga process, most cities offer yoga classes. They can be found in a city recreation center or in a private yoga studio. Some yoga studios offer free first sessions, which will help you get an idea about whether or not yoga is for you. According to NBC News, working out with a crowd is beneficial to your health because there’s strength in numbers. Plus, you’re likely to push yourself more. You can always find friends in the yoga community and find peace within yourself.

Do it with a friend

Feeling shy about doing it in crowds? Get a friend to do yoga with you. The buddy benefits are the same: you’ll actually show up to sessions, you’ll push yourself, and you’ll have someone to confide in during all those painful moments. The nice thing about doing it with a friend is that you can go to classes or do it in the privacy of your own home.

Look for yoga online

If you prefer working out at home, consider looking for yoga online. You can find free classes available on YouTube, and the sessions can last for as few as five minutes.

Still, there’s nothing like taking a live yoga class, and even if you can’t make it to the studio, you can take part in virtual sessions in a group or one-on-one setting. Adelle Deriquito offers Gentle Yoga for Anxiety and Stress Reduction every Wednesday and Thursday, which are great practices for new yogis who are learning the basics of poses and breathwork. Sign up for a class here.

Whether you opt for YouTube lessons or virtual classes, make sure you have an area at home that will honor your practice and the benefits you’re trying to reap from it. This space should exude positive energy, so make sure it’s deep cleaned and decluttered before you hit the mat, and consider burning some sage in this area before you begin each session.

Practice breathing exercises

There are some days where you just don’t have time, and your stress level is high. High-stress environments can make it easier to relapse, so try out some deep breathing meditation. Concentrating on your breath and varying the way you breathe can help get your mind off the stressful experience, relax you, and slow you down.

Remember that it’s a process

Just like you wouldn’t be able to run a marathon a week after you started running, you won’t be able to master yoga and all its nuances immediately. The very best have taken many years to master yoga and its poses. Be patient with yourself. You won’t be able to recover immediately, but you will over time. You’re always getting stronger, and yoga is an excellent way to help you build that strength.