Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1011587
Photo right: Tai Kerbs, Photo top: Carrie Morgan yoga & spirit I n November 2009, I got sober through a suggested program of action which taught me a design for living. Its guiding prin- ciples were Unity, Recovery, Love, and Service. I supplement- ed this transformative work with daily yoga, spiritual books, journaling, prayer, and meditation. I also completed a yoga teacher training program. Everything worked – I stayed sober one day at a time. I was no longer a slave to addiction. I was no longer a prisoner to fear, dishonesty, selfi shness, or resentment. I was no longer the man I used to be. However, I was not really sure who I was to become or what to do next with my life. I prayed for guidance. I sat in meditation to listen for answers. An idea came: Since yoga had been an integral part of my per- sonal recovery from addiction, and I was now certifi ed to teach, I could create a weekly yoga class for other people in recovery. It could be free. It could be an act of love and service. I reached out to a few local yoga studios and shared the idea. Unfortunately, nobody was interested. Disappointed, I was un- sure where to host the class, or how to make it happen, or if I should give up the idea entirely. I prayed again for guidance and sat again in meditation to lis- ten for answers. Another idea came: Since a church in my neigh- borhood hosted 12-Step meetings and they seemed friendly toward things related to recovery, I could approach them and see if they would be open to the idea. I visited the pastor at the church. I shared with him what I felt called to offer others in recovery. Our group intention would be to breathe consciously, move mindfully, and share our ex- perience, strength, and hope. Yoga is a perfect complement to a program of recovery because addiction is often viewed as a threefold disease – mental obsession, physical allergy, spiritual malady – and yoga treats these conditions by quieting the mind, strengthening the body, and connecting to the spirit. We shook hands. We agreed on a day and time. He gave me a key to the front door. I taught that class every week for the next three years until I moved to a nearby city and handed the class over to another yoga teacher in recovery. During that time, I found my voice as a teacher. I got the opportunity to create and hold space for others to heal. I felt useful. And I was hired to teach yoga at a treat- ment center based on a personal recom- mendation from one of the students at the church. Many years have passed now since I taught those classes at the church. Many things have changed in my life since then. However, these things did not change: I am still sober. I still prac- tice yoga, read spiritual books, journal, pray, and meditate each day. I still teach yoga at the same treatment center. And, sometimes, I still feel that I am not really sure who I am to become or what I am to do next with my life. So, I prayed recently for guidance. I sat in medita- tion to listen for answers. An idea came: Since teaching a weekly yoga class for people in recov- ery had such a huge im- pact on my life in the past, I could do that again. I could create a new class. It could be free. It could be an act of love and service. I visited the offi ce manager at another local church. I shared with her what I felt called to offer the community. I shared that I have done this before and would be very grateful for the op- portunity again. We shook hands. We agreed on a day and time. She gave me a key to the front door. Yoga Alliance-certifi ed teacher Brian Hyman leads Yoga for Recov- ery class every Tuesday from 4-5pm at New Hope Lutheran Church (29295 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills). Free; donations accepted. All are welcome. Visit www.brianhymanyoga.com. August/September 2018 17 YOGA FOR RECOVERY By Brian Hyman A Personal Refl ection on Love and Service in Action