Yoga Hushes Inner Demons of Eating Disorders

It has often been said that a calm and focused mind is the secret to health and happiness.

Yoga, long known for achieving a well-balanced mind, body and spirit, is still relatively little known for its healing benefits for eating disorders.

In a study published in an issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly, practioners said they felt greater satisfaction with physical appearance compared to non-yoga practitioners.

Yoga devotees say this is due to a self-awareness of body sensations developed during yoga.

Interestingly, this centuries-old technique always addressed the problem, offering a series of poses that balance the first chakra, where it is believed the problem originates. The first chakra is deemed the main grounding force that empowers the self. It is located at the base of the spine.

For mind-body balance, yoga specialists suggest the crab, full wind, pigeon, locust, and staff because back-bending poses reduce depression. Grounding postures such as mountain, goddess, standing squat, and prayer squat are good for a strong will because forward bends usually reduce anxiety.

But mostly, yoga fosters a positive view of one's own body, a critical factor when the body is healing from eating disorder.