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| Yoga: A Path of Optimization |
| Feature Articles - Alternative | |
| Sunday, 30 September 2001 | |
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By the age of 26, Jim had been playing pro hockey in Florida for more than four years. He was at the height of his career and excess had become a way of life. Gradually his constant partying led to substance abuse. Although known by his teammates as a "decent guy," his habits began to catch up to him. As the season progressed, he spent more time on the bench. His fiance left him. To his amazement, the team physician finally approached him with the suggestion of getting help. Jim realized with his contract up for re-negotiation, it was more than just friendly advice. "I never figured myself as a New Age-type of guy," Jim confessed. "But with all aspects of my life feeling like dangling loose ends, I needed a way to tie them all together. I'll admit it - I didn't want join a yoga class. But now, I need yoga. My body craves it." Jim has been infusing yoga into his regular work out (and therapy) four times a week for six months. "My sister likens my need for yoga to a substance addiction. Every time she says that, I get annoyed - but there is a grain of truth to it. Without yoga I feel stiff, knotted, and achy. I get irritated easily. On the other hand, after my 50 minute yoga class, I feel relaxed and pain-free." Although not scientifically proven, yoga has had a profound positive influence on the lives of many in recovery. There is a passage in I-Ching (The Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese system of divination) that says, "you cannot fight the devil directly. When you do, you tend to become the devil that you are fighting." Instead, the Chinese oracle recommends that you "fight the devil by emphasizing what is good and allowing that to replace the darkness" (Sethi, 2001). Yoga allows the addicted individual to emphasize what is good within one's self, therefore providing a path of human optimization in order to consciously redesign the self. Octavian Sarbatoare, a yoga instructor who deals with addicted individuals, believes, "Yoga is about becoming conscious of addictions and trying to actively eliminate them. For indeed we can say that there is awareness of pleasure and satisfaction when [the alcoholic] is drinking the glass of wine, but how qualitatively significant is the experience? If the high lasts only for a couple of moments after which even the prior level of awareness was lost - what was the point? It seems the rocket took off but only for a couple of seconds, then fell to the ground destroying some of the parts (Sarbatoare, 2001). Yoga is primarily concerned with obtaining lasting states of body and mind optimization, which can be particularly helpful for those in recovery. Qualitative experiences have been acquired in many ways through various yoga practices for centuries. The ABCs of yoga The classical techniques of yoga date back more than 5,000 years. Although despite more than a century of research, modern society still doesn't know much about its earliest beginnings. Yoga is not a religion, but a scientific methodology of the experience and integration of the mind, body, and spirit (Dworkis, 2001). It is a tool to use when keeping the human body in balance. The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit word for union - literally to join together the body and mind in one harmonious experience (Dworkis, 2001). Yoga was originally developed in the tropical south of India many thousands of years ago, by a high religious order of male Hindu priests living a strict and disciplined lifestyle (Dworkis, 2001). The "yogis" as they were known, were vegetarians, wore minimal clothing, and lived close to the earth learning all they could about nature. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the majority of yogis were Hindu - although, again, it is not a religion. At the turn of the 20th century, a high Hindu, yoga-practicing priest in India decided to send a number of his disciples (known as Swamis) to the west as missionaries in order to spread religious teachings. However, the Swamis used the powerful tool of yoga to get their foot in the door to try to promote their actual religious agenda (Dworkis, 2001). Types of yoga The American Yoga Association states the whole system of yoga is built on three main structures: exercise, breathing, and meditation (www.americanyogaassociation.org). When it comes to types of yoga, there are more than a hundred. The following are some of the most well known: Bhakti Yoga: The way of devotion to a supreme being absorbing the emotions and self in pure love. Hatha Yoga: The physical path. Uses the body to control the mind and senses. Jnana Yoga: The path of wisdom; considered the most difficult path. Karma Yoga: The way of right action, serving without the motivation of obtaining the results of labor. Kundalini Yoga: The path of energy. Arouses energy through breathing and movement. Raja Yoga: The path of meditation. Teaches control of the mind and obtaining mastery over thought. Tantra Yoga: A way of showing the unseen consciousness in form through specific words, diagrams, and movements. Considered the feminine path. Recovery results There is no scientific research documenting the degree of medical effectiveness of yoga for addictive disorders, therefore it should be noted results will vary for each individual client. However, yoga is suitable for most adults of any age or physical condition and because of the nonstrenuous nature, it is suitable for those in substance abuse recovery. Initially, counselors may want to direct their clients toward Hatha (ha="sun" tha="moon") yoga (Burgin, 2000). Hatha attains this union through a balanced practice of Astanga, or the eight limbs of yoga: 1. Yama: Observances to others. 2. Niyama: Self-purification. 3. Asana: The physical postures/exercises. 4. Pranayama: Breath awareness and control. 5. Pratyahara: Inner focus. 6. Dharna: Concentration. 7. Dhrana: Meditation. 8. Samadhi: Absorption. The integration of these practices has been known to produce feelings of bliss, well being, inner peace, and self worth. The immediate benefits for the recovering individual include (Burgin, 2000): Relaxation: Gentle stretching, breathing, meditation, and guided relaxation calms the nervous system and emotions while releasing body tension. Concentration: Provides focus, attention, and concentration as the client becomes mindful of their own movements and achieves body awareness. The practice of balancing postures especially builds concentration. Toning: Holding yoga postures creates isometric exercise which tones every part of the body, including internal organs. Healing: Yoga exercises the glands, organs, and endocrine system; thereby massaging, toning, and increasing circulation to stimulate, heal, and eliminate toxins from the body. Flexibility: Yoga postures gently stretch the muscles in the body, increasing the flexibility and lengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Nourishing: Slow, gentle movements with deep breathing energize the body rather than tire it. This, combined with relaxation and yoga's healing benefits allow daily renewal and nourishment of the client's mind-body-spirit. How to choose a qualified yoga teacher According to the American Yoga Association (www.americanyogaassociation.org), no national or international certification program for yoga teachers exists, and it is unlikely that it will. For many thousands of years, yoga was transmitted from teacher to student on a one-to-one basis; only comparatively recently has yoga been offered in a group class format. Still, advanced practice of yoga is best undertaken on a one-to-one basis, if you are lucky enough to find a competent teacher who is willing. Teaching yoga should not be viewed as a hobby or a sideline undertaken by someone who reads a couple of books and decides to become a yoga teacher; he or she must be under the constant supervision of his or her personal yoga teacher. This relationship between teacher and student is taken very seriously by both parties and is never entered into lightly. The following describes the minimum requirements for a competent teacher of yoga as recommended by the American Yoga Association. 1. Daily practice of yoga exercise, breathing, and meditation. No one can make progress in yoga without a serious commitment to daily practice. A teacher must have this support in order to build the solid foundation of experience that is required before he or she can show others how to achieve that experience; daily practice is also needed to maintain the strength and health necessary for the extra demands of teaching. 2. Regular contact with a teacher. No teacher can work effectively in a vacuum, and no one becomes so advanced that he or she does not need the guidance and support of his or her own teacher. 3. Study of the important yoga texts. Study is one of the five observances that are part of the essential eight "limbs" of yoga practice. A teacher needs to have an intensive background of study that includes Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Bhagavad Gita, and all world philosophies, at the very least. 4. Ethical behavior. The five yamas (meaning "restraints": nonviolence, truthfulness, nonstealing, periods of celibacy, nonhoarding) and the five niyamas (meaning "observances": purity, contentment, tolerance, study, remembrance) are the first two limbs in Patanjali's system of classical yoga (called "Ashtanga Yoga"). The remaining six limbs are 1) physical exercises (asana), 2) breathing techniques (pranayama), 3) withdrawal of the mind from the senses (pratyahara), 4) concentration, defined as selective and voluntary dishabituation (dharana), 5) meditation (dhyana), and 6) absorption, or ultimate union with the self (samadhi). The ethical guidelines of the yamas and niyamas are a part of yoga practice not for moralistic reasons, but because they support and protect the student during the unfolding of personal experience in meditation. According to the American Yoga Associa-tion, a teacher needs this support and protection for the same reasons as well as to help reduce the interference of personal ego in the teaching process. An ethical yoga teacher conducts classes in a responsible, safe, and aware manner; organizes classes that are not too large for each student to receive individual attention; and never pushes students beyond their limitations. Sexual involvement with students is absolutely prohibited. 5. A healthy vegetarian diet. Although you do not need to be a vegetarian to practice yoga, a yoga teacher must conform to different standards. Someone who is taking responsibility for teaching others how to use yoga meditation techniques must have the steadiness and nonviolent attitude, while usually following a vegetarian diet. It goes without saying that a teacher should not smoke or use drugs (other than prescription medication) or misuse alcohol. 6. Training in basic anatomy and the effects of yoga techniques. A teacher must be able to vary the techniques according to each student's ability and know how to advise students with common medical conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and back problems. A teacher should be able to recognize when a student needs professional psychological counseling and be familiar with community services for referral purposes. 7. Ability to separate yoga from religion. Poor-quality instructors take on the trappings and robes of Hinduism or some other religion to give themselves an authority through packaging rather than through the authenticity of their own yoga practice. This practice severely misrepresents yoga. Yoga is not a religion and its techniques have been used throughout the world. Yoga is a system of nonreligious, transcultural techniques which can develop greater self-knowledge and awareness. Unlike a religion, yoga does not require adherence to certain creeds or beliefs, nor does it require committment to any particular prophet or god. Yoga is not ritualistic, nor is it occult. The texts of yoga are not scriptures but rather handbooks or guidelines of how to use the techniques safely. Everyone has a right to their personal religious beliefs, but a teacher must never impose his or her personal beliefs on students in a yoga class. References Burgin, Timothy, (2000). Hatha Yoga. Retrived June 25, 2001 from www.yogabasics.com Dworkis, Sam, (2001). A Brief History of Yoga. Retrived June 26, 2001 from www.extensionyoga.com/history.htm Sarbatoare, Octavian, (2001). Yoga and Addiction. Retrived June 26, 2001 from www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/3588/addiengl.htm Sethi, Dr. P.P. Singh, (2001). Drug Addiction. Retrived June 26, 2001 from www.thehealthmantra.com General and direct references cited within the text from the American Yoga Association as noted. Visit www.americanyogaassociation.org for more information.              |
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