Recovery Yoga Meetings

Recovery Yoga Zoom Meeting. Inpatient treatment.

Both new students from last week were there.

Student “M” [before class]: “So, are we going to do the same poses we did last week, or different ones?”

Me: “We’ll be doing the same poses every week. And here's why: I only have you for three or four weeks while you’re here [inpatient treatment] and I want to teach you a recovery-based yoga practice that you can leave here with - kind of like 'give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat forever.' I want to teach you how to do yoga; not just give you one hour of yoga class.”

[After class]

Student M: “Class seemed like it went faster this week. [Pause.] It’s probably because I’m more familiar with the poses. Plus practice was a little bit easier tonight because I’m getting better at it!”

Student “A": "Yeah, I agree. Except crow [pose] wasn’t any easier.”

Me: "Yet. It wasn't easier yet."

A: [Smiling] "Thank you for doing this. See you next week, right?"

Student M: "Yes, thank you."

Recovery Yoga Meetings Yoga is a proven support activity for substance use disorder that builds resilience to stress and reduces rates of relapse. Give your clients the tools they need to thrive in recovery.

Recovery Yoga Zoom Meeting. Inpatient treatment.

About halfway through the practice, one woman, “M,” asked "are we going to do poses for all 12 Steps?"

I could tell she was one leg out the door.

I told M and the class we were on time to get through the whole sequence within the hour. M stayed for all of class.

M [after class]: “Phew, I didn’t know if I was gonna make it through class. That’s why I asked you after step 5 if we were gonna do all twelve. But, I forced myself to stay for all of class, and I’m actually really glad I did because it means I followed through and kept my word. I said I was gonna do the class, and I did the whole class. I'm proud of that. See you next week. Thanks!”

Recovery Yoga Meetings Yoga is a proven support activity for substance use disorder that builds resilience to stress and reduces rates of relapse. Give your clients the tools they need to thrive in recovery.

Recovery Yoga Zoom Meeting. Inpatient treatment.
First-time student V. [during class]: "Wow, what you just said [about courage, vulnerability, and connection] - that made me cry."
First-time student T. [after class]: "So how often do you teach this?"
Me: "I teach it here every Wednesday."
T: "Awesome. I will be here. That was amazing. I've never taken a yoga class like that."
V: "I really like how you explained and talked about recovery with the poses."
Student W: "And you were so real, like one of us."
Me: "I am one of us."


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Got a heart-warming text from my cousin earlier today. Thanks M!

Recovery Yoga Zoom Meeting. Inpatient Treatment.
Coming to yoga is voluntary at the treatment center, and tonight was a full class, which always makes me smile.
Today, April 23, marks 17 years in recovery for me. At the start of yoga, one of the participants announced that today is day 30 of sobriety for her. We all clapped and congratulated her (as they had for me when I shared my 17 year anniversary). I told the student that 30 days is a much bigger milestone than 17 years, in my opinion. I remember those first months of my own recovery, counting days (sometimes one hour or even one breath at a time), collecting 12 Step “chips”: 30-60-90.
Several students in unison after class: “Thank you!!! We love you and this class.”
Me: “Awww, that is sweet. Thank you. I’ll see you next week!”



***Do you want to experience the joy and purpose of offering Recovery Yoga Meetings to those seeking recovery? I’m hosting a three-day, in-person, teacher training intensive in Silver Spring, MD, May 16-18, 2025. More information at https://recoveryyogameetings.com/trainings

Recovery Yoga Meetings Yoga is a proven support activity for substance use disorder that builds resilience to stress and reduces rates of relapse. Give your clients the tools they need to thrive in recovery.

Recovery Yoga Meetings Teacher Training with Suzula, Friday 5/16-Sunday 5/18 in Silver Spring MD. For more details, or if you have questions, please visit recoveryyogameetings.com/trainings

Finally(!) Recovery Yoga Meetings® Teacher Training - May 16-18, 2025 - Silver Spring, MD - http://eepurl.com/i_n9tQ

Recovery Yoga Zoom Meeting
Regular student E. who missed class last week [before class]: “Some of my anxiety and depression came back on strong this past week. You know, getting stuck in my head… And I know that wouldn’t have happened - or at least wouldn’t have been so bad - if I hadn’t missed yoga last week.”
Student T. [after class]: “That was perfection. Thank you.”


recoveryyogameetings.com

Study confirms that the physical act of smiling - even fake smiling - can boost your mood.

(And we LAUGH during Recovery Yoga Meetings.)

Recoveryyogameetings.com

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/forcing-a-smile-using-electrical-stimulation-can-boost-your-mood/

Recovery Yoga Zoom Meeting. Inpatient Treatment.
First-time participant A. [after class]: “You know, I don’t remember which step it was where you said something about how if any thoughts, or feelings, or sensations come up during class, that means I’m releasing something, but I really appreciated that because I’ve done lots of yoga before, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt like crying during practice. I mean, I got choked up. It was intense. So thank you for that.”
Student T [after class]: “I really appreciated when you talked about how we have to take care of and love ourselves before we can help others. It seems like it’s been a theme this week in treatment, and it feels really good to focus on taking care of myself.”


Recoveryyogameetings.com