Eating Disorders and Yoga Therapy

With Janet Lowndes

Janet Lowndes has specialised in working with people experiencing eating disorders for over 15 years, using a combination of Yoga Therapy and Psychotherapy. In this workshop, Janet will explore the wisdom of Yoga as it applies to Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders, offering suggestions for enhancing the mind body relationship, responding to unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour, and exploring ways Yogi’s can counter the popular culture messages which can so powerfully impact on peoples attitudes to their own bodies.

A healthy mind-body relationship is one aspect of living well, and developing this relationship is the focus of much of the lifestyle emphasis of Yoga Therapy. When the mind and body are in clear communication, we are more likely to choose behaviours which enhance our wellbeing on all levels. The mind listens to the wisdom of the body, and the body is influenced by the behaviours chosen by the mind.

Disordered Eating occurs when people have an unhealthy relationship with food, and quite often, with their bodies. In its most extreme form this can develop into an Eating Disorder, where the person becomes trapped in a conflictual relationship with their body; is in turmoil in regard to attitudes of guilt, pleasure and satiation; and often perceives their own bodies as aspects of them selves which must be punished, deprived, or harmed.