Addiction can be defined as a disorder that is not just related to only the mind or the body. Addiction of any kind is both a physiological as well as a psychological condition. It is a cry for help from your body and your mind and needs to be addressed as such. Yoga targets all aspects of your being. This includes your physical fitness, mental health and spiritual needs. Along with providing an excellent workout for the body, it does so much more. When you exercise your body naturally begins to produce certain chemicals that make you feel good boosting your mood. Yoga additionally relaxes the mind, calms the nerves and also increases mindfulness through pranayama and meditation.
Lifestyle Coach Grand Master Akshar explains how one can get rid of addiction by taking up some mindfulness techniques. Read below to put these principles in practice for a healthier and drug-free lifestyle:
Develop Positive Habits
Himalaya Pranam, Siddhohum Kriya, meditation techniques such as Ropan Dhyan, Aarambh Dhyan, and Sthithi Dhyan etc. can effectively rewire the brain. This is especially useful for new habit formation. Regular practice of yogic techniques creates brand new neural pathways in the brain centre. This helps in forming positive behaviour patterns and keeps you from resorting to harmful self-destructive behaviour. Yoga can also promote mental health, helping you to observe your life’s experiences neutrally. Through this sense of balanced self-control, yoga provides an effective cure to substance addiction of any kind.
Also Read: Try These 5 Siddho Hum Kriya Yoga Flow For Mindfulness
TIP FROM GRAND MASTER AKSHAR: Know how to ensure that you are undertaking some positive tasks in a day, which means to make new habits which are good for health and overall wellness.
Channel your Stress Productively
Sedatives, pain relievers, amphetamines, and alcohol enable different coping mechanisms. These are mood regulators that help one deal with the needs of their body’s lack of endorphins. Therefore, people who participate in addictive behaviour attempt to regulate their moods through the use of these external substances. This helps them with the ability to control their anxiety or depression. By regulating the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in your body, yoga reduces stress and balances your emotions. This way, yoga can help greatly as a mood-stabiliser.
TIP FROM GRAND MASTER AKSHAR: It is a must for everyone to indulge in regular yoga practice to stabilise their mood, balance their emotion and have control over their actions.
Building a mind-body connection
Yoga means ‘yuj’ or union and one of the main things that yoga does is it builds a channel of connection between the mind and the body. What addiction does is that it helps you cope with trauma or grief by distancing you from your own body. Yoga and breathing together connect the two aspects of your mind and body, allowing you to be more aware of your feelings, sensations etc. This becomes invaluable in helping people stay composed. You can also include Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation, Chandra Namaskar or Moon Salutation in your daily practice.
Also Read: Acro Yoga: Perform These Asanas To Increase Strength
TIP FROM GRAND MASTER AKSHAR: All you need is a minimum of 5 minutes a day to find the balance in your energies, emotions and centre yourself.
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