What happens when yoga practice is used as reinforcement for body control under the guise of devotion, or it becomes an obsession disguised as a lifestyle? Learn about the shadow side of yoga and how, when used in a therapeutic and balanced way, yoga helps individuals in eating disorder recovery connect with the pure intention of the practice.

Guest contributor Veronique van Dam shares how yoga led her to find her passion and taught her how to care for herself throughout her recovery from an eating disorder and beyond.

Learn how to practice the yoga philosophy of santosha, or contentment, in eating disorder recovery. Read how two women apply this concept in their own recoveries. Plus, explore the reflection prompts and enjoy a yoga practice and two guided meditations on contentment to help you bring santosha into your life.

Do you get caught up in searching for tangible ways to measure your worth or success, like through numbers or to-do lists? Or maybe you feel like you are always racing against yourself to get to check off the next accomplishment? You aren’t alone. Read more to learn how one woman in recovery is guiding herself to let go of numbers and “grow more conscious.”

The natural world accepts us as we are. Learn how slowing down, spending time outside, and viewing our bodies in connection with the rhythm of nature can help us find healing in eating disorder recovery.

With the change of seasons, comes fresh opportunites to learn from the wisdom of nature. When we slow down enough to notice, we can witness how nature models patience and has no intention of perfectionism. Here I share what practicing patience means for me in my life during this time in the pandemic and my life’s journey.

Guest contributor Julia Manson Cheng discovered yoga during pregnancy, and soon it became one of the most helpful tools for her eating disorder recovery. Read Julia’s story of witnessing her “real self” emerge as her yoga practice deepened.

Learn how to practice the yoga philosophy of aparigraha in eating disorder recovery. Explore the reflection prompts and enjoy two guided meditations on appreciation and abundance to help you bring aparigraha into your life.

Guest contributor Maz Connolly tells how she applies the yoga philosophies of Ahimsa (non-harming) and Santosha (acceptance) to her eating disorder recovery, and shares the gifts she has gained as a result. Read more to learn the many inspiring ways Maz is living yoga in her recovery.