Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

A s an addiction and recovery treatment modality, mindfulness practices have been demonstrated to effectively soothe the nervous system and reduce reactivity and susceptibility to addictive behaviors. In this workshop, participants will learn evidence- based mindfulness, meditation/yoga, and therapeutic writing techniques to build a fuller and deeper awareness of self and feelings and develop healthy coping and stress-management skills in students and clients of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a yoga practice led by a master teacher and acquire both the theoretical and practical tools (endorsed by Harvard School of Public Health prevention program in eating disorders)necessary to safely create and lead their own yoga and writing-based mindfulness workshops. They will develop their knowledge of the research and science supporting mindfulness practices and learn therapeutic writing and yoga principles and techniques. I will demonstrate a yoga nidra program, which is a powerful relaxation technique using intention, awareness, and all of the senses to beneficially affect the neural system through an alpha wave state. In this state, practitioners can release self-limiting beliefs and transform pain and trauma into self-liberation and renewal. By learning to breathe and relax into all emotions without judgment, students can break through past conditioning and ideas and turn their deepest challenges, fears, and illnesses into a greater sense of health, happiness, well-being, and transcendence. After this workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge, techniques, and materials to share these transformative practices with their students and clients

Biography

Deborah Caruana, BS, E-RYT is a licensed Registered Rehab Nurse, a Registered Yoga Instructor with the Yoga Alliance, and the founder and CEO of Vital Signs Fitness and Trauma2Transformation. She is an expert in fitness, medical, yogic, and life coaching systems, with advanced training through NORMAL, ROAD and NEDA (a national nonprofit on mental health, eating disorders, body image, and stress management). Caruana has over 25+ years of experience designing mindfulness programs on topics such as eating disorders, wellness, and mental health for private clients, treatment centers, schools, and the performing arts community. Learn more at www.vitalsignsfitness.com and www.trauma2transformation.com