| Titel: | Hatha yoga for individuals in alcoholism recovery |
|---|---|
| Autor: | Wagner, RA |
| Mediengruppe: | dissertation |
| Herausgeber: | --- |
| Zeitschrift: | Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering |
| Jahr: | 1998 |
| Band: | 59 |
| Heft: | 5 B |
| Seiten: | 2441 |
| Sprache: | English, englisch |
| Abstract: | This project generates a group treatment model for teaching Hatha Yoga to recovering alcoholics. One year, post-treatment abstinence rates for recovering alcoholics cluster around 50%. This high incidence of relapse suggests that current treatment may not be fully addressing the needs of recovering alcoholics. The field of health psychology embraces a holistic approach to health which recognizes that health is determined by interacting biological, psychological and sociological factors. The underlying intent of this project is to promote a more holistic approach to alcoholism treatment. Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy and, like health psychology, is rooted in the belief that the body and mind function in a holistic manner. Yogic philosophy prescribes a number of related disciplines which have the common goal of realizing union with god or the goddess. One of these disciplines, Hatha Yoga, is a psycho-physiological practice which utilizes primarily asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (controlled breathing techniques). Asanas and pranayama exercises were developed by spiritual adepts for the purpose of calming the mind and engendering and maintaining robust psychological and physiological health. A review of the literature on the needs of recovering alcoholics, the content of current alcoholism treatment, and treatment outcome suggests that the biological and psychological needs of recovering alcoholics are frequently neglected. The proposed Hatha Yoga program was designed to redress these unmet needs. Expected benefits of a Hatha Yoga practice are stress reduction, enhancement of self-knowledge, self-control, self-esteem, self-efficacy and improved overall physical health. The practice of Hatha Yoga can also help to ameliorate anxiety and depression--two frequently occurring disorders in an alcoholic population. From a holistic perspective, it is likely that these psychological and physiological benefits would not only improve the efficacy of alcoholism treatment, but would also enhance the recovering alcoholic's quality of life. The project prescribes a group structure, specific asanas and pranayama exercises to be taught and grounds the proposal in both psychological and Yogic theory and practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |