Yoga Help In Recovery Of Eating Disorders

An eating disorder can affect people from childhood through adult. Factors that lead to an eating disorder are complex and may be due to a combination of behavioral, psychological, biological, social and interpersonal factors.

Although it may seem that an eating disorder is about food and weight, the core of the problem is much deeper.

In the mind of a person with an eating disorder, they use the food issue in an attempt to compensate for their over-whelming emotional feelings.

The bingeing and purging helps the person feel more in control of their life as a way of coping. Problem is that these behaviors do damage physical and emotional health, competence, self-esteem and control.

For people struggling with eating disorders, it is believed that a diet or psychotherapy alone cannot treat the root of the problem.

The benefits of yoga can be an effective tool to discover the attachment of food, and work closely with disorder treatment facilities and professionals, looking beyond the basic class and stretching.

Types Of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa is the refusal to eat. Anyone of any age or gender can suffer with anorexia although women in the late teens or early twenties are more predisposed.

Bulimia Nervosa is a constant cycle of bingeing and purging. The person consumes huge amounts of food with a lack of self-control, followed by purging behavior such as vomiting, enemas, laxatives or excessive exercising.

The Binge Eating Disorder is new and characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating about twice a week or more.

The binge eating can last for a period of at least six months. A person chooses to binge or eat excessive amounts of food and feels a lack of control.

Principles Of Yoga

Yoga combines physical and mental disciplines to achieve peace and harmony, getting the person to relax, with less anxiety and stress.

The traditional yoga philosophy adheres to a mission of diet, behavior and meditation.

There are two main types of yoga, Hatha and Ashtanga yoga. Although very similar in principle, Hatha is the most common style which is easier with its slower pace and movements. Components of yoga involve movement or poses and breathing.

The movements are designed for strength and flexibility.

Most poses are performed lying down for complete relaxation. Other more difficult moves are performed in various positions.

Breathing is just as important to gain vital energy while controlling your body and bringing peace of mind. Yoga also involves meditation for the purpose calming and composing the mind.

Benefits Of Yoga and Eating Disorders

The basics of yoga can give anyone a sense of calm and overall balance between your mind and body. If a weight problem does exist, yoga can help a person make healthier lifestyle changes and maintain a proper weight.

Yoga can reduce stress through its special movements or poses which require balance and concentration. As the movements improve balance, they also help with flexibility and strength.

Additionally, yoga can manage many other health conditions such as cancer, insomnia, mood disorders, heart issues and blood pressure, as well as eating disorders.

The benefits of yoga for a person struggling through an eating disorder involve the improvement of self-image.

Since an eating disorder stems from emotional and mental strains in life, yoga works to reduce depression and generate mood enhancing and calming hormones.

It can build a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Eating disorders are rarely about the food, and that person sees themselves as fat as a self-image.

Yoga helps to bring a person into a present moment of awareness since it takes much deep attentiveness. As a result, a person pays close attention to each movement, breath and body sensation.

Yoga treats an eating disorder both physically and mentally. It has a huge effect in restoring the person with psychological balance and the related sense of well-being.

A problem with improper eating leads to a loss and damage in bone density as well as strength and energy. Regular yoga practice works to rebuild the loss and damage suffered.

Give It a Try

There is no guarantee that yoga alone will cure an eating disorder, but when combined with medical treatment, yoga does help with many health conditions, including eating disorders.

Yoga can help you feel invigorated and motivated, yet relaxed and calm – having a better sense of self-worth.