Yoga and Recovery
Since being at the McAuley Residence I have participated in the yoga class on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. Yoga has been a help in different areas of my life. At first it was about being physically active, something I had neglected for some time. I enjoyed doing it with other women as well and it helped me stay motivated. It became a small commitment that I could complete and feel good about afterward. I enjoyed yoga since the start of my stay at the McAuley Residence.
Then yoga helped me on a deeper level. I went through an emotional recovery where I had to fight to even get myself out of bed in the mornings. Susanna explained to me different ways to do an uplifting practice and sometimes just meditation would help. I looked forward to yoga during that time because it made me do extensive work that kept my mind busy. It also helped prove to myself that I could still do things and that I was not dying even though emotionally it felt like it. It was an empowering experience for me. Healing and grieving has never been something I knew how to do in a healthy way. I have discovered yoga is a healthy healing and coping skill I can utilize now.
What I have learned in yoga has also helped my young children. I started bringing the practice into our apartment and doing it with my 3 and 4 year-olds. My daughter enjoys doing the practice and it’s something we do when they have a lot of built up energy. It helps them be grounded as well as myself. I can also bring out the yoga mats when their behaviors start acting up as a way to redirect them. I can tell they get a sense of accomplishment out of it and it lifts their self-esteem.
I am grateful to be able to have the experience I have at the McAuley Residence and with Sea Change Yoga. It has helped me grow as a woman physically and as a human emotionally. I am forever grateful for the time I am given with the yoga experience.
- Danielle, Sea Change Yoga student and resident at McAuley Residence, a home for young women in recovery