Yoga and alternative coping mechanisms

[krimson]

Anybody have any success stories with incorporating yoga? I read it could help but have only tried it on a few occasions and would like to make more of a routine if it will be beneficial.

Also looking for any hobbies that help you cope. I'm told I'm creative but most times I don't know what to do with myself. Any input is appreciated!

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I'd also like to do more yoga, I've done some callisthenics before too which works along similar principles (but with a bit less zen), but I'm rubbish at sticking to anything - I need a bit more discipline I think :). For other hobbies you could always try Zentangle it's like structured doodling! It can be as creative (or not) as you'd like and always looks good at the end result!

 

[Julesnaz]

I don't use it, but a lot of my friends love Pinterest for ideas on things to do.

 

[franciemarnie]

I don't do yoga although I hear fantastic things about it. I tried but my deafness kept me from understanding the teacher.

Re creativity - In what context to people see your creativity? What did you enjoy doing when you were little?

The things I liked doing when I was little are still what I enjoy - writing, drawing, singing, dancing.

You can try different stuff and see what's fun.

 

[Al_Lurker]

I've been encouraged to try yoga as a supporter.... supposed to help with 'staying in the moment'. I am going to take a class after I get settled in my new apartment.

My ex (sufferer) seems to find great comfort in sewing and needlework. She used to tell me that it gave her quiet time to think and was a creative outlet for her. I think it helped with the ocd issues too, sorting and designing patterns seemed to give her pleasure.

 

[Justmehere]

I can't do yoga personally because I get too antsy, but I can see how it could help. Instead, I take adult beginning dance classes and occasionally horseback riding lessons. Both those things help me get into my body more, and help me feel safe in my own skin. They help me feel better about myself too. I am in a photography meetup group and we do photography walks in a safe part of town. That helps me be mindful, and connect to the community. I notice more beauty around me and it brings me more into this moment now. I have also been playing around with various art forms - both as an expression and as a distraction. I have a long ways to go in dealing with my PTSD, but these hobbies have helped me a lot in my recovery.

I hope you give yoga a try and I hope it helps.

 

[WillyKat]

I tried yoga but had too much back pain. I think it could work, but I always tried to keep up with the class when I shouldn't have. I'd like to try it sometime on my own.

I'm a much bigger fan of backpacking, even extreme backpacking. Way out, miles from the nearest outhouse, minimal gear, no electronics.

Related to that, last fall I went on a vision quest into the wilderness where I fasted for almost three days. It was a huge success for me and I'll do it again. Search the web for "vision quest" or "vision fast". You can also search for the School of Lost Borders.

 

[CVC]

Both those things help me get into my body more, and help me feel safe in my own skin. They help me feel better about myself too.

I think it's great insight that hobbies can help you connect to your body in a safe way, and I think this is important for us folk who have issues with that. Yoga is great, and there are many types, so if you try it and don't like it, you might want to try an entirely different kind before deciding it's not for you. I like to pair the quieter kinds (with relaxed, long poses) with meditation, and I find this to be relaxing. There's also something about learning to be relaxed in a room filled with strangers that feels healing to me.

Who knows, yoga may not be for you for whatever reason, but I'd encourage you to keep looking for a physically engaging hobby. Even relatively intense exercise can be good for body awareness (e.g., focusing on using certain muscles to lift a heavy weight, or actively remembering to breathe through a hard sprint). Finding an activity you really enjoy--where you feel like you can get "lost in the flow" and just be in your body--feels especially energizing and healing. So, maybe play with a bit, and try out different things to see what feels good?

I have come to see exercise as a core part of healing and of a healthy life here on out. I think of it as a great way to accomplish many goals at once that are important to me, including body awareness, stress management, building self-nurturing (I see exercise as an investment in myself, a gift), building self-esteem (it feels good to stick with something and get better at it). And, of course, there are the physical health benefits!

Whatever hobby you end up taking up, I hope it helps with coping! Let us know if you find anything that works. :)

 

[Meadowsweet]

@Justmehere I like the sound of a photography meet up group because I enjoy photography, but I can be very self concious when I'm out in public.

I trained in massage years ago, and being able to give massage and receive them as we trained, created a really positive image of massage as a touch that is wholesome and safe for me to give and receive.

A couple of months ago I began Tai-chi. It focuses on being present, but you are moving. It's like a welcome sanctuary for me - I would recommend it.

 

[bell]

Yoga is beneficial in grounding you and connecting you more with your body. It can also reduce depression and anxiety as well, but... sticking with it is important. Maybe try looking into something like yin yoga, which is restorative and holds the poses longer.

As for hobbies, research has shown that PTSD and hobbies work well together so to speak, so pretty much any hobby you can do will help as long as you stick with it enough to let your mind relax. (I.e., taking up knitting at first is hard, and therefore will not be relaxing... however, once you get the hang of it, it helps to reduce anxiety and others things to boot... so sticking with something until it gets to be "easy" is important too!)

 

[WillyKat]

Are you aware of the book "Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga". If you haven't read it, take a look. (Just don't quote me on the title; I may have mangled it.)

 

[Sheer Force of Will]

I personally find that any kind of physical activity helps (and science agrees with me), such as kickboxing, yoga, running, dancing, hiking, ect. When my PTSD hit me, it was so bad that I did not even feel like a person anymore. Working out and getting sore help me to feel alive and it gave me an alternative to self harm. I eventually even ran a Tough Mudder. I highly recommend the experience for anyone who needs to prove to themselves that they can overcome any obstacle.