Nearly one million Australians suffer from an eating disorder. Around 9% of adolescent girls have, or have had, an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating. Eating disorders are serious illnesses that can have a devastating effect on people living with a disorder as well as their close family and friends. A 2012 study found that 1,800 Australians had died from an eating disorder in that year – higher than the annual road toll. Yoga can help, and there are some encouraging research findings to back up the theory. Women and girls make up an estimated 75-95% of people suffering from anorexia and bulimia and there is considerable research linking the way women feel about themselves with the onset of eating disorders.

Worryingly, a 2013 Mission Australia survey found that 70% of adolescent girls have body dissatisfaction, a key risk factor for developing an eating disorder. Women and girls are greatly impacted by the way others view them and many, consciously or unconsciously, internalize the impossible ideals of female beauty they see around them each day. The anxiety this causes can lead to extreme self-monitoring and feelings of shame about the body, depression and a fractured connection with their own emotions and physical sensations. Several studies have show that yoga can not only reduce anxiety and depression, but can improve body-responsiveness and awareness in women with eating disorders. This in turn increases body satisfaction which reduces the risk of developing or maintaining an eating disorder.

A study from 2009 showed that a group of young out-patients who practiced yoga experienced a greater decrease in eating disorder symptoms than similar groups who went through standard care. The authors of the study reported that the group practicing yoga “significantly reduced food preoccupation immediately after yoga sessions. Results suggest that individualized yoga therapy holds promise as adjunctive therapy to standard care.” The positive findings of studies on yoga and eating disorders have prompted psychologists around the world to experiment with integrating yoga into programs for eating disorders. One of the most successful models for treating eating disorders, known as the Maudsley Model, regularly integrates both yoga and mindfulness meditation into it’s therapeutic schedule.

Some yoga and health professionals have observed that some modern yoga practices, such as placing critical emphasis on physical form rather than encouraging self-acceptance, may actually have a negative impact on body image and eating habits. However, there is huge potential for yoga to make a positive difference to the lives of people with disordered eating, from patients with severe anorexia nervosa to those of us who struggle each day with food choices and body dissatisfaction. Key features of yoga for eating disorders include: • Gentle, non-exercise based movements that link movement and breath in a way that is rhythmic and synchronised.

• Practices that gently encourage the lengthening of the exhale (such as moving in and out of forward bends, extending the exhale on the way forward).

• Non-directive teaching style – students should be invited to experiment and explore the practice rather than being told exactly what to do in every movement.

• A class that allows students to choose from a range of options rather than doing the poses in a set way.

• Don’t get hung up on alignment – there’s no right way to do a pose.

• Keep coming back to present moment awareness of physical sensations (such as being aware of sensations in the hamstrings after a forward bending stretch).

• Moving from ‘judging’ to ‘noticing’.

• Practice mindfulness in all poses.

• Cultivating a sense of comfort rather than looking for the challenge in every pose.

• Staying present to feelings that arise during the practice.

• Avoid long holds in any pose.

• Gentle pranayama (breathing) techniques that steady and regulate the breath with no feelings of discomfort.

• Simple, concrete meditations (such as focusing on a particular object or on the breath) can be helpful, but will depend on the individual student’s needs.

• Relaxation practices – relax, and then relax some more! References Survey finds disordered eating behaviors among three out of four American women source

Yoga and eating disorders: is there a place for yoga in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours? link

Understanding eating disorders – for health professionals link Mission Australia Youth Survery 2013

Further Reading or Viewing Hunger, Hope, and Healing: A Yoga Approach to Reclaiming Your Relationship to Your Body and Food by Sarah Joy Marsh

Fat is a Feminist Issue by Susie Orbach

Embody Love Movement http://embodylovemovement.org/about/founder/, Dr.Melody Moore Phd

*Please Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of YogaMate or it's Panel of Advisors. This information it not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

The above article has been supplied by YogaMate - a website sharing the depth, breadth and therapeutic application of Yoga. Check out their evidence-informed resources, locate Yoga specialists, or use their marketing and planning tools (Yoga Professionals). Learn more at www.yogamate.org

In addition click through to Changing the Face of Yoga Podcasts https://www.yogalightness.com.au/podcasts-3/2018/8/24/yoga-for-eating-disorders where Stephanie Cunningham interviews Nikola Ellis on the topic of Yoga for Eating Disorders

Changing the Face of Yoga podcast shows another face of yoga to highlight that yoga is for everyone regardless of wellness and fitness. Interviewees are yoga teachers and/or yoga therapists worldwide who explain their passion for teaching because of yoga’s benefits for their students.

The podcast is available at www.yogalightness.com.au/podcasts/ or at http://bit.ly/CTFOY. Please subscribe (it’s free) to be notified when new podcasts release.