Using Yoga to Manage ADD
by ADD Management Coach Jennifer Koretsky, copyright 2003
Exercise is a powerful tool for ADD management.
Medical professionals recommend that adults get at least 30 minutes of
aerobic exercise (such as running or biking) 3-5 times per week to
improve their general health.
For ADDers, this type of exercise is particularly beneficial, because it
may balance production of neurotransmitters and reduce stress levels.
Another form of exercise that ADDers are finding valuable is yoga.
When practiced regularly, yoga offers numerous health benefits, such as
increased strength and flexibility, and decreased blood pressure and
cholesterol levels. However, the greater benefits of yoga are arguably
the psychological ones. Yoga combines physical activity with
self-awareness, which promotes a mind-body connection that many ADDers
lack.
When ADDers report challenges with impulsivity and hyperactivity, they
often describe feeling like they don't have control over their own
bodies. They find themselves speaking before thinking their thoughts
through, and often regret their words. They constantly fidget, unaware
that their bubbling energy can be disruptive to others in work and
social situations. And they feel as if they simply cannot stop the
whirlwind of thoughts spinning in their heads.
Yoga can help ADDers learn how to forge a mind-body connection that
promotes self-awareness and self-control.
Yoga practitioners are taught deep breathing and relaxation techniques
that help center the mind in the present moment.
Practitioners are also guided into holding different postures, called
asanas. Each asana is held for an extended period of time, as the
practitioner focuses on holding the best posture that they can, while
breathing calmly and deeply. The asanas promote stretching,
strengthening, and balancing, as the deep breathing promotes relaxation
and mental awareness.
It is important to remember that yoga is not meant to be stressful or
taxing on the body. People should be encouraged to concentrate only on
themselves and not the others in the class, and to do only what feels
comfortable. A practitioner should never feel pressured to perform.
If an ADDer finds him/herself at a yoga class that moves too quickly, or
focuses heavily on strength training, they will not reap the intended
benefits, and may find themselves overwhelmed. The best place to find
yoga instruction is at a yoga center, where the instructors practice
yoga as a way of life, and teach both the physical and psychological
components.
Yoga can help ADDers feel calm, centered, in control, and in touch with
their bodies. Practiced regularly, ADDers will find that yoga is a
powerful mental and physical refresher that they can retreat to when
feeling out of control or overwhelmed.
About the Author:
Jennifer Koretsky is an ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage
their ADD and move forward in life. She offers individual and groups
coaching, workshops, and skill-building programs. Subscribe to
Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, by visiting
http://www.ADDmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm
