ABSTRACT

Yoga-Mind groups are different from a 'regular' yoga class. Yoga-Mind groups are primarily therapy groups; they utilize yoga in a focused, therapeutic approach to help address the complexity of an individual with an eating disorder. Yoga practice uses breath work, self-study, meditation and other techniques to focus and quiet the body and mind. Integrating yoga with group therapy introduces a variety of new and nourishing practices for coping with difficult feelings. Integrating mind-body in a group increases the likelihood that clients will translate this practice into real life situations. Yoga-infused group therapy can help bring a person's mind to the here-and-now, and bridge the mind-body dissociation so common in eating disorders. After theme-based asana, the group focuses on a psycho-educational component. By teaching breathing techniques to each client and checking for effects, a depth of self-understanding takes place moving clients beyond thoughts and into deeper physiological responses.