Using Yoga to Manage ADD

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.

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm

In The News:

---

Yoga in the Office

Spending eight or more hours a day in an office... Read More

Yoga Instruction - How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher for You

In order to find a quality yoga instructor, you need... Read More

Yogic Way of Controlling of Thoughts

As described in my earlier article... thoughts in the mind... Read More

Some Tantric Exercises to Increase General Well-Being and Sexual Abilities

A healthy anal and genital area is of great importance... Read More

Yoga for Relaxation

Discover the true meaning of yoga?In taking any modern yoga... Read More

Yoga - The Solution for Insomnia

At one time, or another, all of us have experienced... Read More

Positive Energy

Cultivating positive energy: Most of us who study Yoga have... Read More

The History of Pilates

In order to understand the basics of Pilates and why... Read More

Yoga For a Beginner

Yoga for a beginner is an exciting time when you... Read More

Om Yoga Meditation: Why Yoga?

The following is an excerpt from the book "Om Yoga:... Read More

Yoga Your Way To A Happy Vacation

Yoga Your Way To A Happy VacationThere have been many... Read More

Yoga is Self Improvement

After five thousand years of written documentation, Yoga may well... Read More

Muscle Fitness ? Can Yoga Make You Stronger?

Many people wonder if yoga can improve their muscle fitness.... Read More

What is Self Mastery? ? Part 3

The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and... Read More

Discover How Yoga Will Help You Reach Your Goals ? Part 2

At this point, let's break down the major components of... Read More

Maybe Bikram is Right?

For some reason, I had the time to sit down... Read More

Hot Yoga - Bikrams Twenty Six

Even though the world population has shifted from mainly rural... Read More

Don?t Focus on Failure

Internal defeat is a state of mind, where you begin... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 4

Now, let's cover the last component of self-mastery, which is... Read More

Mind and Thoughts

Yoga is controlling of thoughts arising in the mind. When... Read More

The Benefit of Pilates

Pilates can benefit your overall health and sense of well-being... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 2

To continue with our overview of the physical component of... Read More

Paths of Yoga I

With dozens of Hollywood celebrities following in their Guru's lotus... Read More

Which Type of Yoga is the Right Choice for You?

You finally made the decision to practice yoga, but which... Read More

Total Concentration(samadhi) of Mind

A true Yogi(practitioner) is one who has acquired self-knowledge and... Read More

Basic Yoga Poses (Asanas)

In most forms of Yoga there are three components to... Read More

Ayurveda and Yoga, Ancient Sister Sciences

Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences that have been united... Read More

A World of Infinite Opportunities

Many people feel that there is a limited amount of... Read More

Yoga is Unity

Experienced Yoga practitioners often feel discouraged when a naturally gifted... Read More

Will Yoga Help You Lose Weight?

I suppose it was only a matter of time before... Read More

Christian Yoga?

There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue... Read More

Yoga for Fun and Profit

Stress levels around the world are on the rise. In... Read More

Eating Wisely and Weight Loss

Please bear in mind that I am not a dietician,... Read More