Program Description

The Healing Hour is a trauma-informed yoga program for people in recovery that centers embodied healing and reclaiming bodily autonomy. Grounded in health psychology's biopsychosocial model and feminist theories of empowerment, this practice recognizes that addiction often develops within contexts of systemic oppression, trauma, and disconnection from the body.

Through gentle movement, breathwork, and chat discussion, participants rebuild the mind-body connection disrupted by substance use and trauma. This approach honors women's lived experiences, challenges internalized shame, and cultivates agency, recognizing that healing is both personal and political.

Recovery becomes not just abstinence, but a radical act of self-reclamation and embodied liberation.

Core Theoretical Framework

• Biopsychosocial Model: Addresses biological (nervous system regulation), psychological (emotional processing), and social (community connection) factors in recovery
• Self-Efficacy Theory: Builds confidence through mastery experiences on the mat
• Stress-Coping Framework: Teaches adaptive coping through breath and body awareness
• Health Psychology Stages of Change: Supports sustainable habit formation through consistent practice

Feminist Integration:

• Embodiment: Reclaiming the body from objectification, trauma, and control
• Intersectionality: Acknowledging how gender, race, class, and other identities shape addiction and recovery experiences
• Power & Agency: Challenging medical model paternalism; centering women's authority over their own healing
• Relational Theory: Healing happens in connection, not isolation
• Structural Analysis: Understanding addiction within systems of oppression, not just individual pathology

8-Week Curriculum‌‌‌‌‌‎

Week 1 – Non-Violence & Integrity

Theme: Safety, Self-Compassion, and Body Awareness

Philosophy: non-violence & truth

Practice Focus: Sun Salutations, Grounding poses, gentle movement, insight.

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Week 2 – Self-Care as Radical Discipline

Theme: Cleansing, Commitment, and Self-Nurture

Philosophy: purity, contentment, discipline

Practice Focus: Gentle strengthening, breath-centered flow

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Week 3 – Coming Home to the Body

Theme: Embodiment and Reclaiming Physical Space

Philosophy: physical posture

Practice Focus: Foundational postures emphasizing boundaries, and agency

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Week 4 – Breath as Bridge

Theme: Regulation, Presence, and Emotional Grounding

Philosophy: breath control / life force

Practice Focus: Breath-based grounding, gentle ratios, alternate nostril breathing

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Week 5 – Turning Inward & Managing Triggers

Theme: Sensory Awareness, Boundaries, and Recovery Response

Philosophy: letting go of external distractions

Practice Focus: Guided meditation, finding your flow

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Week 6 – Focus & Reclaiming Attention

Theme: Concentration, Intention, and New Patterns

Philosophy: focused attention

Practice Focus: Mindful flow, repetitive sequences, mantra or affirmation work

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Week 7 – Stillness, Self-Reflection, and Compassion

Theme: Meditation & Inner Witnessing

Philosophy: meditation

Practice Focus: Guided loving-kindness or self-compassion meditation; yin poses

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Week 8 – Integration, Connection & Liberation

Theme: Wholeness, Joy, and Collective Empowerment

Philosophy: union / integration

Practice Focus: Student-led flows; integrative full-body sequence; closing circle

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Weekly Reflections

Each week, you'll receive some questionnaires that will guide you in meaningful self-reflection and promote improvement in this program for people who take it in the future. 

Suggested Readings

• The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
• The Body Is Not an Apology – Sonya Renee Taylor
• The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

Program Summary