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Addiction in Recovery
Yoga with Kathryn Varley
Yoga practice reveals our mental and emotional attitude and offers time for reflection on how we are feeling within the body as well as how we posture in life. When slowed down, or brought to the cushion, in meditation, yoga gives the opportunity to experience our habitual self-defeating patterns, questioning our honesty with our Self and others.
Kathryn invited recovering addicts, on a 12-Step Residential Recovery Programme, to be bold, to drift in and out of the shadows and embrace both the pleasure and the pain of insight that may arise from dark places.
Self-observation, non-harming and truthfulness are foundations which which it is possible to develop the capacity to welcome our truth and to witness life, just as it is. This is the Yoga of Compassion. Change happens when we are willing to take the First Step. Ongoing support is offered with weekly Classes or private One to Ones
Here are some of the anonymous responses to a regular weekly yoga practice from those in treatment.
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This page is dedicated to mental health fitness as we all learn more about our personal recovery from life, loss, pain or hardship.
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Testimonials
"This is a new experience for me and one that warrants exploration. It’s a vehicle I can use in the future, outside of treatment, to focus myself and to tune into the process that I need to follow for my own wellbeing, something I did not do in my previous hectic life." Anon
"I enjoy all aspects of yoga, it gives me peace of mind. I found it hard at first to sit still with myself.
Yoga taught me to enjoy my own company, it brings calmness and shows me positive energy as opposed to all the negativity I was feeling. In stressful situations I can now step back, take a breath and be more at peace. Yoga has given me the connection I look for in my Higher Power." Anon
"Learning how to breath helps me deal with emotions and feelings. Yoga helps me to be more confident. I enjoy the strength and balance that comes from stretching my mind. I am able to focus without distraction, improving concentration and patience with myself and others." Anon
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"I like the breathing, it is re-energising, and the exercising part makes my body reach unknown limits. Yoga gives me an essence of self-esteem, makes me feel positive and optimistic. For reasons yet unknown it brings out hope and courage." Anon
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"Yoga for me is now less about physical movement and more about moving into a meditative state. It helps to slow down my obsessive and often insane mind so I may breathe into parts of my body that feel pain. I never knew it was possible to relieve pain like this. It’s been a wonderful experience, feeling the fear around my physical disability and working thru it with my own breath." Anon
It’s rare to find a yoga therapist linking personal practice to an individual’s underlying issues,
like unresolved trauma manifesting in addiction.
Kathryn is highly attuned to the varying aspects within addiction,
extremely insightful with individuals in early recovery.
Vulnerable, damaged adults are often unable to make disclosures in early treatment.
Kathryn’s feedback on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
serves to inform a multi-disciplinary team earlier.
I personally find this crucial within the treatment of addictions.
Addictions Counsellor - The Priory