THE EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA AND YOUR RECOVERY PROCESS--IS SOMETHING HOLDING YOU BACK?

The holiday season can be a challenging time for maintaining your recovery process. Our Reconnect with Food programs incorporate not just the yoga postures, which are just one limb of yoga, but the entire yoga philosophy in helping you with your recovery process.

The first book to systematize the practice of yoga was the classic treatise the Yoga Sutras (or Aphorisms) of Patanjali dating from 200 B.C. The Yoga Sutras are ethical blueprints for living a moral life and incorporating the science of yoga into your life.

In the second aphorism of the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes Yoga as 'chitta vrtti mirodhah'. This may be translated as the restraint (nirodhah) of mental (chitta) modifications (vrtti) or as suppression (nirodhah) of the fluctuations (vrtti) of consciousness (chitta).

The heart of Patanjali's teachings is the eightfold path of yoga. It is also called the eight limbs of Patanjali, because they intertwine like the branches of a tree in the forest. The following are Chitta Viksepa, which are distractions and obstacles for achieving restraint of fluctuations of the mind and therefore hindering your recovery process.

The distractions and obstacles are the following and interpreted within the framework of our program:

1. Vyadhi-sickness, which disturbs the physical equilibrium-other physical conditions, may be the result of nutritional compromise from your eating disorder.

2. Styana-languor or lack of mental disposition for work-lack of focus, which is necessary for moving forward in your recovery.

3. Samsaya-doubt or indecision-are you on the fence regarding your recovery? How badly to you want to recover and what is holding you back? Is it fear? Ambivalence?

4. Pramada-indifference or insensibility-it is hard work to change, but often more difficult to stay stuck.

5. Alasya-laziness-are you putting forth the effort needed, on your part, to move through recovery?

6. Avirati-sensuality, the rousing of desire when sensory objects possess the mind-recovery involves discipline. The physical practice of yoga can help you with this self-control as the yoga works on a deeper level than simply" talking about it."

7. Bhranti Darsana-false or invalid knowledge, or illusion-do you have the right treatment team? Or, is your treatment team keeping you stuck? Recovery is a life long process. It doesn't end when you finish a "program." This is when it generally begins.

8. Alabdha Bhumikatva-failure to attain continuity of thought or concentration so that reality cannot be seen-is your diet serving you? Are your thoughts so clouded through malnourishment, which feeds depression, that you cannot grasp the belief that nothing permanent? Remember, no feeling or situation lasts forever. The recovery process should be teaching you to ride the waves without reacting, but observing.

9. Anavasthitattva-instability in holding on to concentration, which has been attained after long practice. Are you actually "practicing" mindfulness vs. just "talking about it?" The principles of mindfulness are great, but yoga and meditation are both mindful practices that are an "experience," thus helping you use and trust your intuition.

Most individuals tend to look outside themselves for answers, when their own truth and wisdom is inside. Letting go of old ways and beliefs brings you immense freedom. Letting go involves surrendering and allowing yourself to receive healing gifts, with love and gratitude.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, and remember the true meaning behind this celebration.

Inner Door Center for Comprehensive Eating Disorder Prevention, Treatment and Support, opens on December 1, 2008



We are the first comprehensive eating disorder program in Michigan offering a viable alternative to residential care for medically stable individuals or those who do not meet criteria for inpatient/residential treatment. We also offer step- down programs for those discharged from inpatient treatment. In addition, we are one of the few holistically-based eating disorder recovery programs that do not compartmentalize the eating disorder, but offer support for related addictions, self-destructive behaviors and family issues. We also offer psychological assessments and evaluations for adults and children.

Check out our programs and staff

Reconnect with Life

Special Holiday Program for individuals interested in managing depression and anxiety during the holiday season.

Dates: Tuesday, December 2, 2008
followed by Tuesdays, December 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2008

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $45 for one night, $199 for entire series

Location:
Inner Door Center
317 E. Eleven Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, MI 48067

Facilitator: Marie Fox, MSW, LCSW, RYT and CEFT

Download flyer on linked page

Reconnect with Food Series, yoga and discussion program with Beverly Price, to begin on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009, 7 - 9 pm for 4 weeks.

Support Group for Women with Disordered Eating beginning Monday evenings in January for 8 weeks.

For more information on our eating disorder intensive support and treatment programs, programs for RYTs or to schedule a consultation with our psychotherapists, creative arts therapists, or a nutrition consultation call 248-390-4150 or log onto www.innerdoorcenter.com

Namaste'

Beverly Price