Recovery with Yoga: Emotional and Somatic Sobriety for Healing the Mind and Body

Students learn 30 essential spiritual principles for addiction recovery. We discover how to embrace certain universal ideals in order to bring meaning and purpose into all areas of life. We also focus on mind-body-spirit unification, in addition to both spiritual and secular mindfulness exercises, so we can fully understand the 3 A’s of Recovery – Awareness, Acceptance, and Action. 

This Weekend workshop includes dynamic Hatha/Vinyasa yoga session, guided meditations on gratitude, journaling for self-inquiry, breathwork for energy and transformation, and sacred sharing to articulate and honor our experiences.
"This workshop is based on ideas presented in my book Recovery with Yoga: Supportive Practices for Transcending Addiction (Shambhala Publications/Penguin Random House), in addition to yogic philosophy and self-inquiry practices from my 30-day audio course “Recovery: Principles for a Purposeful Life” on Insight Timer."
Please Note: Brian's' book Recovery with Yoga: Supportive Practices for Transcending Addiction has been awarded a 2025 Nautilus Book Awards for category - Body ~ Mind ~ Spirit Practices! This is no ordinary honor. Brian is now part of a celebrated group of authors whose work is helping to create a Better Book for a Better World. -With joy and gratitude, The Nautilus Book Awards Team.
What makes this retreat unique:
These recovery and yoga workshops empower students to find inner strength and resiliency through self-knowledge and self-discipline. The teachings are experiential and equip students with accessible yogic tools and beneficial strategies which allow them to embody recovery and integrate all aspects of mind, body, and spirit so they can live with congruency and integrity. Participants learn to properly gauge what they think and feel in all situations; how to react mindfully to people, places, and things; how to live fully and deeply in the present moment – one breath, one pose, and one day at a time; and how to freely share their experience, strength, and hope with anyone in need. Students also learn to effectively work with mantras, mudras, chakras, poses, kriyas, pranayama, journaling prompts, and how to modify and implement these wholesome yogic strategies off the yoga mat and into the world within all their affairs.

Students learn to cultivate holistic recovery, which can be viewed as the yoga of mental, emotional, somatic, physical, and spiritual sobriety.
Students learn to identify, name, and embrace personal triggers or causes and conditions that lead to addiction issues or unwholesome behaviors, and how to heal and transform all related mental states and physical effects.
Students learn acceptance and solidarity, and develop personal determination as they breathe consciously and move mindfully alongside others in recovery. The true power of individual and collective accountability and the benefits of community support and encouragement are realized as a result.




Testimonials:
“Recovery Yoga has been one of the great discoveries and pleasures of my program life. Not only do I look forward to it, but I always walk away feeling better than when I arrived. The way Brian seamlessly combines the Steps with traditional yoga poses has not only helped me to appreciate both in a new way, but also to understand that it is possible to integrate the principles of the program into other areas of my life - and that they can, in fact, complement each other. His unique approach and guidance turn each class into a physical, emotional, and spiritual 12-Step meeting that I haven't experienced anywhere else.” – Monica M.
"Brian, I want to let you know how much I appreciate you! Thank you for everything you put into your classes. You are a gifted and inspiring teacher! Judging by the number of people who come to your classes, I am not the only one who feels this way!" -”– Peter H.
"Yoga with Brian H. is an incredibly vital part of my program and adds an experiential component which allows me physical as well as spiritual recovery." - David R.
“Brian’s class and leadership is very special to me and is always something I recommend in meetings or to people looking to supplement their program. I truly believe that yoga has been a strong component of my recovery. When I found Brian's yoga class, I fell in love with it immediately. The way he weaved spirituality throughout the different postures took my spirit to another level. I felt more connected to my higher power than ever. The sharing after practice is also intimate and special in a way different to most meetings. We've all just moved through 45 minutes of our recovery together, physically and spiritually. It brings people together and allows us to open up in a way that is very honest and sincere. Its hard to put into words what it is about yoga that makes it such a great supplement to any recovery program but I would recommend it to absolutely anyone.” – Carolina P.



Sample Ashram Schedule





MONDAY – FRIDAY



5 – 6:15 am
Integral Yoga Meditation (with leader)


6:30 – 7:30
Morning Meditation


6:30 – 8:00
Integral Yoga Hatha: Level 1 or Mixed level


8 – 8:45
Puja at Chidambaram


8 – 9:00
Breakfast


12 – 12:30 pm
Noon Meditation


12 – 12:30
LOTUS Meditation (Thurs. Fri. & Sat.)


12 – 12:30
Chidambaram Meditation (M, W, F)


12 – 12:30
Puja at Kailash (W & F) – chanting or meditation offered on all other days


12:45 – 1:30
Lunch


2 – 4:00
LOTUS open – gift store open (Friday only)


5 – 6:30
Mixed Level Hatha


5 – 6:30
Restorative (Tuesday only)


5 – 6:30
Gentle Yoga (Friday only)


5 – 5:45
Yoga Nidra (Friday only)


6 – 6:30
Evening Meditation


6:30 – 7:15
Supper


7:30
Scripture Study Class (Tues. & Thurs.)


7:30 – 9
LOTUS open – gift store open (Friday only)


10 pm
Lights out in dorms



SATURDAY



5 – 6:15 am
Morning Meditation (with leader)


6 – 6:45
Guided Meditation


6:20 – 7:20
Morning Meditation


7 – 8:30
Integral Yoga Hatha: Level 1


7 – 8:30
Integral Yoga Hatha: Level 2


8 – 8:45
Puja at Chidambaram


8 – 9:30
Breakfast


9:30 – 10:45
Talk: Yoga in Daily Life


10 – 4 pm
LOTUS open, gift store open


12 – 12:30 pm
Puja Kailash


12 – 12:30
LOTUS Meditation


12:45 – 1:30
Lunch


2 – 5
LOTUS open (gift store open)


4 – 5:30
Mixed Level Hatha


5:30 – 6:30
Supper


7:30 – 9:30
Satsang (Sivananda Satsang Hall)


10 pm
Lights out in dorms



SUNDAY



5 – 6:15 am
Morning Meditation


6 – 6:45
Integral Yoga Meditation


6 – 6:45
Guided Meditation


7 – 8:30
Integral Yoga Hatha: Level 1


7 – 8:30
Integral Yoga Hatha: Level 2


8 – 8:45
Puja at Chidambaram


8 – 8:45
Puja at Kailash


8 – 9:30
Breakfast


10 – 11
Talk: Taking it Home


10 – 4 pm
LOTUS open, gift store open


12 – 12:30 pm
Noon Meditation


12:45 – 1:30
Lunch


6 – 6:30
Evening Meditation


6:30 – 7:15
Supper


10 pm
Lights out in dorms