For centuries, Yoga has been proven to reduce stress and increase joy in one’s life.
The benefits of yoga in regards to stress reduction are limitless. Yoga lessens stress on one’s mind, body and spirit. The timeless teachings of yoga tell us that joy, wisdom, energy, and love lie at the core of our being. However, our continual search for what is already within us makes this true essence hard to achieve. This loss of self, due to trauma or unmet needs is the root of addiction, eating disorders, codependent behavior, and suffering itself.
Nikki Meyers created a program called Y12SR for people in recovery
Yoga guru Nikki Meyers believes using the eight-limbed path which includes:
- yoga,
- meditation,
- pranayama,
- lecture,
- discussion,
- work to reclaim lost parts of ourselves,
- unmask our true nature, and
- create healing through remembering.
There’s No Place Like Home deepens and strengthens previous therapeutic or step work. It can serve as a starting place for our journey to self-reclamation. She created a program called Y12SR for people in recovery from substance or process addictions. Including those in recovery from eating disorders and anyone affected by addiction in any way, shape or form. Likewise, this program is also great for anyone in the helping professions, including therapists, counselors, pastoral care, addiction sponsors, or yoga teachers.
Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines that may help you achieve peacefulness of body and mind. This can help you relax and manage stress and anxiety.
Pick your Pose
Hatha: Commonly the choice for yoga beginners, used to for those looking to reduce stress.
Svaroopa: Named for the transcendent inner experience. Uses the principles of asanas and yoga philosophy to promote consciousness and healing.
Bikram: Known as hot yoga, performing poses in rooms heated to 105 degrees F in order to stretch the muscles for greater flexibility.
Perks of Poses
The Brain: Has been shown to be effective in increasing cognitive functions. According to a study in 2013 by the University of Illinois, participants fared better on a test involving working memory and inhibitory control versus those who performed aerobic exercise for the same amount of time.
The Heart: Yoga activates a relaxed state which can lower blood pressure and increase blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. In other words, long term yoga can reduce heart disease.
The Lungs: Hatha yoga can improve lung capacity over time, due to increased deep breaths and the amount of air exhaled.
The Muscles: Beyond the visible benefits yoga yields greater internal advantages such as increased joint support, which can prevent arthritis.
There are several paths one can take to lower stress and practice mindfulness including guided imagery, meditation, breath work, yoga, and Y12SR. Above all, studies have shown that people who practice yoga are 20% more likely to have a positive self-image than those who don’t.
~Love and Peace,
Traci Lamb, MCAT Program Supervisor, CASAC T, Y12SR
Newsweek. (2016). Yoga Life.
Nikki Myers, Founder Y12SR (2018) https://y12sr.com/about/nikki/
