Does anybody out there have any experience of teaching those with eating disorders? One of our facebook friends asked this question. Here are some replies - do you have any other ideas to add to this?
Keerthana: first , to educate the after effects if overeating and feeding the fear of obesity and diseases.
Sita Chaitanya: I only had one student that I know of who had bulimia. She didn't like kapalabhati because the motion was similar to the vomiting motion. She also needed to eat frequently during the day, unlike on the ashrams where we typically eat only two big meals a day, because if she overfilled her stomach it gave her the feeling that she needed to purge. There are a lot of different kinds of eating disorders. Is there any one in particular you wanted to know about Angele?
Nitin: Yoga vidya is right,clear ur que. Plz
Jimmy: Yoga vidya is good..better...best....
Elisabeth: Angele, would so much like to help, but I have no clue! Eating disorders is a hard nut to crack! ANd I have no experience in that field
Deborah: Eating disorders should be treated by a qualified physician...to not have anything in one's stomach is courting disaster and any nutritionist will tell you , is detrimental to one's health...depending on the severity of the disorder, of cou...rse. And what of those who have eating disorders and are diabetic? Fasting and having nothing in the stomach for extended periods of time is dangerous. The logical approach is to have a person with special needs to have an educated team of people to work with..eg: yoga instructor, nutritionist, doctor and any other people needed for support.
David: I have had several students who were recovered bulimics. From what they have told me it seems like being able to be present with their bodies in a non-adversarial way was extremely helpful. Two of them have found developing their own practices to be very beneficial.
Patrick: Send them to a specialist now; if you attempt any tipe of therapy even breathing etc, it could be seen as malpractice! and dangerous to the patient who has a life threatening condition. P
David: also, her's an article on yoga & eating disorders. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/24619.php
Vidya: i don't have experience, but i feel that they can begin 2 practice simple asanas to stretch the body and then pranayama to still the mind followed by meditation..not to long 1st time..slowly increase the practise.so when mind is still.. positive change will come automoatically:)
Danielle: Deborah seems to have the best approach.
Ekodas: I used to eat more than anybody around here - and was 25kg overweight. But I did not want to 'control' my diet or 'not eat' anything whenever I desired to: so it took about 6-8 years to reduce - come to normal - and still 'like and enjoy' my food! So I have a personal experience which also includes some yoga asanas, mantras, etc. You and/or Angele can e-mail me at ed-cxo@unieko.org or ed-cxo@hotmail for details.
Patrick: Eating disorders are mental illness, yoga cannot make inroads into something that serious--they should be hospitalized for a work up and intensive therapy. You cannot treat them, dont risk their health or your freedom (ie jail) trying to. Ask any lawyer!!
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