| Do you feel like a slave to drinking coffee, smoking | | | | Center. That will allow one to rest and likely detox. |
| cigarettes, or any other addictive behavior. You're not | | | | Some recommended centers include Kripalu in MA |
| alone. Almost all people have some form of mental or | | | | and Mount Madonna Institute in CA. |
| physical addiction. The first step in breaking an | | | | Begin to Detox: |
| addiction is becoming aware of it. The second and | | | | It can also be helpful during this time to engage in a |
| very important step to breaking a habit is to take | | | | detox of the body. Remember to take it slow since a |
| action. | | | | detox can be pretty intense because all the stored |
| Here is an example of the steps for breaking an | | | | toxins in the body get released into the blood stream |
| addiction: | | | | for removal. For this reason drink plenty of water. Also |
| Find the Trigger: | | | | cutting out processed foods and eating more raw |
| Become very aware of the times and places when | | | | foods(fresh fruits and vegetables) will aid in the |
| you get the cravings. Is their a trigger, ie stress? | | | | cleansing of the organs. The Raw Food diet is also |
| Try to hold off on indulging in the addiction until a later | | | | important for providing much needed nutrients and |
| time. It may even be only a few minutes later, but it is | | | | minerals to the body. |
| important that you break the chain of patterning. | | | | Changing Routine: |
| Restrain from Behavior: | | | | It can also be very helpful to break the daily routine |
| Quitting cold turkey is an option, but a slower weening | | | | during this process. As mentioned above taking a |
| off of the addiction is also a possibility. For example, in | | | | week off from work or leave of absence. It will be |
| quitting coffee, begin to drink maybe only one cup | | | | easier to break daily habits, when you are not in your |
| instead or multiple cups a day. One can also find an | | | | daily routine. Spending even only a few days at a |
| alternative for a brief period of time such as tea, but | | | | retreat center like Kripalu can be helpful. It can be |
| remember the goal is not to replace the addiction with | | | | especially helpful because centers like Kripalu have |
| another but to break the addiction. | | | | education of nutritional eating and all level yoga as part |
| Allow the body to Rest: | | | | of the stay. |
| The body will often have withdrawals from the | | | | Breaking addictions can be challenging. Some |
| addiction and feel tired. With coffee, the body has | | | | addictions are connected to deep repressed traumas |
| been used to artificial stimulation for an extend period | | | | as a way of coping. It is pivotal to have patience and |
| of time and when the stimulation has been removed, it | | | | compassion towards yourself in the process. |
| will likely crash. For this reason it may be helpful to take | | | | If you fall of the horse, remember "Our greatest glory |
| a week off from work or maybe even a leave of | | | | consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we |
| absence, especially if the triggers are at work. It is also | | | | fall". |
| recommended to go to a Retreat and Renewal | | | | |