Just curious. Does anyone else here do Bikram yoga to help with sobriety? It's proving to be a very powerful tool for me, along with meetings. I've got nine days now (the most in over a year). And I'm happy, productively busy and feel better - even in cold, frozen January. Em
That's great, that you're incorporating an exercise regime to your recovery. It's very important to eat/sleep well and exercise daily, along with getting to meeting.
I use a variety of stress reduction and meditation techniques, along with exercise and a healthy nutritional routine. For me, maintaining the sobriety I have attained is all about balance and never, ever, putting it second.
" I've got nine days now (the most in over a year). And I'm happy, productively busy and feel better - even in cold, frozen January. Em "
Now and then a serious drinker, being dry at the moment says, "I dont miss it at all. Feel better. Work better. Having a better time." As ex-problem drink-ers, we smile at such a sally. We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits. He fools himself. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. He will presently try the old game again, for he isnt happy about his sobriety. He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end
Our hope is that when this chip of a book is launched on the world tide of alcoholism, defeated drinkers will seize upon it, to follow its suggestions. Many, we are sure, will rise to their feet and march on. They will approach still other sick ones and fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous may spring up in each city and hamlet, havens for those who must find a way out.
Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you havent got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.
Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.
yoga is a good thing, but if your alcoholic like I'm alcoholic, and you dont do the program ( above in red ) you'll just end up being a corps that used to know yoga..
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Since it cost a lot to win, and even more to loose, you and me gotta spend some time just wondering what to choose.
I think we've all tried exercise to try and get sober, I think we've all tried just about everything, many of us have found something that works long term just in case the Bikram experiment comes up short in the long run
Here are some of the methods we have tried: Drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with and without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting voluntary commitment to asylums we could increase the list ad infinitum.
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it's not the change that's painful, it's the resistance to change that is painful
I appreciate the encouragement with including exercise into my recovery program. Let me clarify, though. I didn't say I was relying on Bikram exclusively. I do go to meetings and I have a sponser. I am working on Step One and I read the Big Book daily, along with other books from Hazelden. I journal my daily thoughts and frustration. What Bikram does is address the body connection of this disease. I DON'T want to put poisons in my body anymore. Three nights ago at Bikram I over-heard two women talking about "uncorking the wine" after class and sipping a glass. It sounded appealing (to my alcoholic mind). But after doing a class I was so at peace, relaxed and happy that I honestly thought, "silly women - why would they want to do that!" I definitely NEEDED to heal my body along with my mind and spirit. I have an arthritic neck with spinal stenosis and spent years with chiropractors and massage therapists, and of course, self-medicating. I'm now actually getting some relief from the symptoms as my spine becomes more limber and free and the muscles stretched. Bikram is not something I use to replace AA, it's in conjunction WITH. For me it works! I was just curious about others. Actually I found quite a few people who use Bikram yoga, along with AA on the Sober Recovery forum. Hopefully when I've been around the Bikram studio more, I'll connect to some women who are also in recovery. So cheers! Every day has become a good day if I remember that I'm the builder but God is the architect. Em
I use it, too! I have come to realize that one of my biggest triggers for wanting to drink is being stressed, overworked and just wanting to relax.
So, I bought a good beginner's yoga DVD with AM and PM routines, and it is working out great for me to get rid of that particular trigger. It really clears the mind. I'm sober now 1 month!
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At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
--Father Alfred D'Souza
Keep up the great work! Meetings and yoga have been a powerful combination for me. I agree with you - finding an alternative way to relieve the stress of life helps to replace the yearning for a drink. I still need the meetings though. Em
