ABSTRACT
This chapter explores client evaluations, quotes, stories, and case examples to articulate how these women and men integrated three specific types of yoga classes into their recovery path: Strong, Restorative, and Partner. Strong pose classes use asanas which require physical and emotional strength. Eating disorder clients also may avoid stronger standing poses because they are emotionally fatigued, lethargic, or depressed. Restorative yoga classes require more stillness and quietness of mind and body and therefore allow most clients to feel calmer and more relaxed. Clients are drawn to the inherent safety of prone poses like balasana, where the person brings their hips to their heels and their forehead to the floor. Partner yoga classes, involve two or more people working together to create the pose. However, after the instructor helps this initial discomfort and uneasiness subside, most find themselves laughing and making personal connections with one another.
