Written By: Katie Schipper

How Yoga and Eating Disorder Recovery Work Together

Like the many-faceted and complicated make-up of an eating disorder, yoga and eating disorder recovery both function as multi-disciplinary and varied practices. They share variance; eating disorders on one parallel, and yoga perhaps it’s spiritual counter point. Like addiction, eating disorders are hard explain because causation is so varied and can be difficult to treat as recovery lies largely in the individual’s willingness to seek and accept treatment. There is also the necessity of various approaches to treatment – therapy, inpatient hospital stays, ongoing care, the willingness to be honest and persevere; and undoubtedly a spiritual component. That isn’t to say that one needs to find God to heal an eating disorder, but rather that some practice that affirms the value of mind-body-soul health in such a way that ongoing recovery seems meaningful. For someone who has struggled with eating disorders, there is usually a component of exercise abuse – whether that has been over-exercising to burn calories or a fear of physical activity or any variety of related issues, the reintroduction of activity has to be intentional and considerate. Furthermore, a goal beyond weight loss and calorie burning should be present in an exercise routine. Practicing yoga for eating disorders established there goals.

Read about the misconceptions of eating disorders

How Yoga Helps the Eating Disorder Recovery Process

Yoga presents itself in such a situation because of its grounding in mind-body connectivity and the variety of practices available. One of the most rewarding outcomes of a yoga practice is the profound sense of relaxation that follows – this ‘letting go’ is a feeling foreign to those struggling with eating disorders. For some, it may be a feeling they’ve had only a handful of times, if ever at all. So on a very basic level yoga re-teaches (or introduces) the participant to the concept of relaxation. And more than any pose or posture, this is achieved through a class-long focus on breathing: inhale-exahle. The postures are secondary, always, to the breath. So what yoga really offers is a mediation in disguise. Utilizing meditation through yoga and eating disorder recovery is often an extremely useful tool for those trying to heal.

Read even more facts about the misconceptions of eating disorders

Getting Grounded With Yoga for Eating Disorders and Recovery

Classes for those in recovery from eating disorders should be thoughtful – for a group that has been conditioned to see the body through a distorted lens and to obsess about appearance, the yoga studio should be traditional in that it does not have mirrors. Many modern studios are wall-to-wall mirrors; this would not be appropriate for yoga  for eating disorders designed to help people recover. Classes should be chosen with the help of a therapist – the idea isn’t to introduce an intense hot yoga practice or a cardio routine but rather to build a practice that fosters relaxation and re-connection to the spirit that have been lost through what is usually a lifetime of dissociation from feelings and sensations.

Yoga is A Valuable Resource for Those in Recovery

Yoga and eating disorder treatment go hand in hand therefore making yoga a very valuable practice and resource for anyone in recovery from an eating disorder. For someone in early recovery from an eating disorder it can be a life-changing tool. For most people it can provide a sense of relief if approached from a traditional stance. It is wise to be aware of the potential for letting yoga become another symptom of an eating disorder and because that potential exists anyone with an eating disorder who is early in recovery should always make sure a therapist or treatment center is involved with starting a practice.