Integrating Yoga with 12 Step Recovery

12/24/2024

I recently attended an out-of-town AA meeting, where the topic of discussion was discipline. The leader referenced page 88 of the Big Book, which states that alcoholics are undisciplined.

I heard a variety of opinions regarding the concept of discipline. Many of us were shamed about our drinking, with some suggesting that greater discipline would have prevented our addiction.

In the context of the AA program, discipline refers to the thoughts and actions that promote new patterns of behavior and character traits. The term "discipline" originates from the Latin word "disciple," meaning pupil or student, implying one who follows a set of teachings, learning, or training.

I often remark that yoga can also aid us in the pursuit of self mastery and that cultivating daily self care provides the opportunity to develop structure, which fosters consistency, and consistency creates safety.

12/22/2024

Hard to believe I experienced my first time deliberately getting intoxicated almost 50 years ago. It was Christmas, 1975. What a journey of growth and transformation I've been on since then!

There is nothing good about the role alcohol played in my life, but I'm grateful for the lessons learned. It harmed me at all levels - mind, body, and spirit - but I've risen above. It damaged me, but I've healed. It set me up to crave the quickest fastest way to “feel” better, but now I choose self-care. I was a walking zombie, but now I'm thriving. I'm in my 24th year of alcohol abstinence, and I'm proud to say I'm living a life of purpose.

I want to be totally upfront about not living in the frequency of addiction. This is a description I first heard from Tommy Rosen. It means I still occasionally find ways to run from feelings, but I acknowledge them and grow. Every time I do that, I get to feel the after-effects that alcohol gave me - guilt, remorse, and shame - but I choose to let them go.

The first step is to admit my obsessive tendencies to myself and another human being. I binge-watch social media reels and stories and lose track of time, but I'm aware. I eat spoonfuls of Nutella and buy things from Amazon, and when I get the package, I laugh at myself. It seems like this is a better way of dealing, but I lose time and I lose what I love, which is balance and self-mastery in this world.

And so, I thank my inner wise Self that keeps urging me to be kind and have self-compassion. Just for today, I set the intention to live in love, to remind myself that this too shall pass. Heather, keep shining your light and remember, progress not perfection!

12/08/2024

Thank you for the reminder Tommy Rosen: “Cultivating silence each day is becoming more and more important to me; more and more precious.

I find that certain things become possible for me as a human being if I allow space for silence in my life. I’m deeply interested in these possibilities, and so each day is another opportunity to make space for silence, stillness, and to listen.

There’s a true humility in listening. When one realizes that a collaboration is taking place, life takes on a different hue with this realization. A greater value of gratitude and love can be experienced. I wish this for us all.”

11/27/2024

And then you wake up to your 8 year old grandson saying “Mimi!are you awake ? Can I play with your phone ?”

And then I breathe in the sweetness of this little boy and I breathe out gratitude for my family and my life in this moment.

And I whisper..thank you !!

11/25/2024

Universe…I lift up these difficult individuals before You. While I struggle to understand them, I recognize that You see the depths of their hearts and understand the entirety of their journey. I pray that You work in their lives, revealing any areas of pain, bitterness, or insecurity.

11/19/2024

I allowed myself to watch the news today and I immediately felt my breath become ragged. It was like a warning. Get back to gratitude…make a list..
1. My work/studio is 1.5 miles away
2. I start Mondays with my great friend Maryam teaching yoga to me
3. I taught a yoga class for my wise seniors in the afternoon
4. I did a podcast today with another dear friend on how to navigate the holidays as a sober human
5. Ending this evening with teaching yoga tools for grieving people who have lost a loved one through homicide.
6. Hugging my husband who brushes my hair when I am tired and afraid.
7. Grateful I stayed sober today.
Now I am able to breathe smoothly, steadily when I shift into counting my blessings…
Back to news fasting…🙏

11/16/2024

As time goes by and my news fast continues, I am beginning to feel some hope. I have immersed myself back into women’s meetings. I said “yes” to sponsoring a newcomer. I went to coffee with a group of wise women this morning. My 82 year old recovery friend with 35 years of sobriety said this to me:

“Believe that there are moderate Republicans that care and want to bring back the party (that I actually voted for many years ago.) They might just step up and either halt or slow down the process of harm.”

I feel a little lighter thinking about this. All I can do is walk the walk by integrating these 10th step keynotes into my life one day at a time.

“Courtesy, kindness, justice, and love are the keynotes by which we may come into harmony with practically anybody.”

11/12/2024

I am trying to stay in the moment when I wake up. My mind wants to look at the news first thing. So I let it look around only to find that my heart starts to ache. My breath becomes choppy and I feel helpless and hopeless.

I have to begin again this day so I write and share. I reach out for connection with friends. This helps so much. To all my recovery peeps - please stay close to each other. This disease is always looking for opportunities to kill us with our obsessive thoughts of fear which can lead us back out to our strategy of addiction.

Stay present. Stay grounded. Stay safe.

11/06/2024

My opinion:

I am a person who is in recovery from an addiction. I am also the beneficiary from the 12 step model of healing that has helped me for the past 23 years of sobriety. This model has given me tools and support on how to enjoy and have a fun sober life.

The 12 steps help us to become rigorously honest people. We go back and look at our part in our lives and we stop blaming others. We work on letting go of resentments and anger and we become kinder people. We cultivate core values and we practice principles listed down below in all our affairs.

We walk the walk and we model the right behavior to our family, friends, our co-workers and strangers in the world. We help those that are suffering in the world.

So this is my question? Why would anyone in recovery vote for a man who has the character of the opposite of what we are striving for as sober people. I hear all kind of things - its voting for the party or the issue but truly please help me understand how this man is being elected who absolutely cannot walk the walk. We all see this. He isn't hiding. In my opinion , he actually appears to be a dry drunk, para-aholic- he has all the untreated mannerisms of an alcoholic. Selfish, childish and grandiose are words to describe the untreated alcoholic and are written in our AA big book. "Resentment is the number-one offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else.” This man is seething with resentments.

This is truly a cunning and baffling disease and now it is at the helm of our democracy.

09/13/2024

One of the benefits of sober living is receiving invitations from various venues to share my experiences, strength and hope at an upcoming speaking engagement for Fairfax County Recovery Court.

What an honor it is to share the journey of 23 years of freedom and joy after feeling broken and damaged from my 25 years of binge drinking. It’s never too late to start right here, right now..

09/12/2024

Hey my friends! Please take time to check out our very authentic and real podcast about what life is like being in long term recovery/sobriety! We share about ways to keep sober life fun and free! Let's keep the downloads going!! And thank you thank you thank you !! So much love to my girl Peg for getting this started!

Rising Stronger on the Journey to Wholeness & Healing Recovery: The Whole Enchilada

09/05/2024

I work with many people who are in recovery from the strategy of addiction. One thing that seems to be universal is that people report that they do not wake up peacefully first thing in the morning. They share that bad dreams and anxieties greet them.

Often morning anxiety has a biological cause: Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is higher during the first hour after waking for people experiencing stress.

Whatever the reason is I find that if I get up and move my spine in 7 directions with smooth steady breaths I can help dial down my anxiety.

Let me know what you do if you can relate to this post!

09/04/2024

Good morning! Every morning we get to set an intention to enjoy the mystery of living life soberly. No matter how many years I have, I still learn new things about myself. In yoga this is called svadhyaya: means "self-study" or "one's own reading". It is a practice that involves studying oneself through introspection, reflection, and the study of sacred texts.

Interestingly, an essential aspect of the 12-Step Program emphasizes introspection and personal accountability. Participants are urged to deeply reflect on their lives, recognizing past errors and seeking to make amends with those they’ve affected. This process transcends mere seeking forgiveness; it lays the groundwork for authentic healing and growth.

Grateful for yoga and the 12 steps today..

08/27/2024

Hey all - so very thrilled to be sharing time with my dear Peg making short podcasts about how to keep growing and learning how to be joyous and free as sober humans 😉

Please share, like and subscribe !!

Send us a Text Message.In this first episode, we share our recovery journeys, how we decided on the podcast and our mission statement to motivate us to become b

07/04/2024

23 years of sobriety!! ODAT

06/23/2024

I have just completed a two-week journey to Japan, which served as a meaningful indicator of how my nervous system has recovered from almost 23 years of abstaining from alcohol. Signs like 'Drinkers wanted: $5 for all you can drink in 30 minutes' prompted memories of my 20s, when I participated in ladies-only all-you-can-drink happy hours that led to vomiting every 15 minutes for hours due to alcohol poisoning. However, I have learned that I was not healthy and had a disease that could have been fatal. Instead, I choose to focus on more positive memories, such as the respectful, grateful, and calm interactions I observed between people during my trip. This morning, at the buffet, I was delighted to see potatoes and salads, and when I expressed my gratitude in Japanese to the hotel staff, they responded with kindness and respect, bowing to me and bringing tears of joy to my eyes. I feel a deep love for this country and its culture.

05/24/2024

Thank you for the PROGRM of AA! HOPE is back.

I have been visiting Richmond on and off for the past 10 years to see my daughter and grandson. Yesterday, I attended my first AA meeting in the area, seeking the familiarity and safety of a supportive community.

I found the meeting in a building behind a church, and upon entering, I was greeted by the familiar scent of old churches mixed with coffee and cigarette smoke. I knew I was in the right place.

During the meeting, I received valuable wisdom that made me smile and nod in confirmation, reminding me that I am not alone in this journey and that we support each other towards recovery.