In a randomized controlled clinical trial of yoga in the treatment of eating disorders at Seattle Children’s Medicine Department, yoga therapy demonstrated a significant ability to improve eating disorders when used along with standard care.
Ah finally! A clinical trial providing evidence that Yoga practice can help with eating disorders. In this study participants ad 2 lessons per week with a viniyoga instructor. Viniyoga incorporates movement and breath (among other things) combining asana and pranayama practice. This is the approach we have been taking in our Peaceful Weight Loss through Yoga program with great results.
Addressing underlying anxiety and/or depression issues is a key factor when working with eating disorders. In this study, there was a clear lessening of these factors.
Again, if they outlined the practices in the reporting of these studies it would be helpful. The connecting of the breath to body, so that the thoughts will have less power is key here. I’m fairly sure that other non-similar yoga styles wouldn’t have the same effect.
This study is useful. We need more to convince the uninitiated that yoga therapy useful for this population.
Most of us western yoga teachers have a similar path that looks something like this: We realize we are suffering (from an illness, anxiety, watching family age poorly, etc.) We find yoga and it helps us We want to share this amazing helpful thing called yoga with others We see our local studio has a […]
Yoga therapy is a relatively new method of healing born out of an ancient tradition. Yoga has been around for over 1,000 years. The idea of using yoga in a therapeutic context has been credited to Tirumalai Krishnamacharya who died in 1981 at the age of 100. We can think of yoga therapy the same […]
Listen in as Brandt discusses how a Yoga Therapist might work with a client who has already been to physical therapy, as well as some of the different approaches between the two therapies.