Yoga for Grief: An Interview with Adrianne Lind
I met Adrianne through Yoga Specialists. Immediately, I felt a connection to her accepting spirit and soft voice. She has such a gift for making others feel welcomed and seen in her yoga classes.
Upon learning more about Adrianne, I was intrigued by her work with yoga for grief. Adrianne facilitates yoga classes which specialize in helping students work through grief and other struggles. Personally, I spent many years working with cancer patients and witnessed the challenges of grief. This, I believe, makes the work Adrianne does so important and needed.
I am so thankful for Adrianne’s willingness to be so candid in our interview. Thank you so much Adrianne for your insight and willingness to share in this article. Survival, Grief, Veterans, PTS(D), and Yoga Nidra, are some of the topics we covered in our conversation. Enjoy the interview below!
“I focus on helping people with yoga for grief workouts and practices to help humans improve or maintain their mobility and bring more mindfulness into their life.”
Adrianne, Always Home Yoga
Tell us a little about yourself?
I am a Washington, DC native. I am the daughter and wife of military veterans. I am a Yoga instructor focusing on helping people with Yoga for Grief Workouts and practices to help humans improve or maintain their mobility, and bring more mindfulness into their life.
How did the path of yoga come into your life?
I first discovered Yoga in 1996 after being dropped out of a 4-story window in the suburbs of Paris, France. I was fighting to get out of an apartment to avoid being raped for the third time in my life. I tried going out of the window and eventually was dropped out. I was so fortunate not to receive serious injuries, but the trauma and residual scars remain.
Yoga, and a chiropractor, helped me function relatively pain-free. Eventually, my practice wasn’t as robust as it initially was over the years and was reduced to performing certain poses to relieve specific aches.
When my father died 2 years ago I was so depressed and buried in grief that I had a horrible rash, pulled my hair out, drove my blood pressure up, and lost weight. I threw myself into Yoga again. And like a faithful lover, Yoga took me back with open arms. After more than 1 year of daily Yoga practices I decided to complete Yoga Teacher Training. I’m not sure how, but I found My Vinyasa Practice for the online teacher training. I’m so glad I chose them as I continue to attend the Office Hours and weekend lectures when I can, and participated in the Yoga Therapy sessions offered by students in training.
“And like a faithful lover, Yoga took me back with open arms.” Adrianne Lind
What prompted your interest in Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep)? How does Yoga Nidra help you in your work/life.
It was during my Yoga Teacher Training that I learned that what I enjoyed most from my Yoga practice I adopted in 1996 was Yoga Nidra. For me it was the end of practice where I was transported to this wonderful place. So wonderful that I didn’t want to return when being called back into the room. That was Yoga Nidra. My introduction to Yoga was Sivananda Yoga and my teacher always incorporated at least 15 – 20 minutes of Yoga Nidra.
I have earned over 200 hours of additional Yoga Teacher Training certifications including Yoga Nidra. I want to help other people get transported to that wonderful place I first found on the Yoga mat all those years ago. To this day, Yoga Nidra is this only thing I know will guarantee me a sound night’s sleep.
**(Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice done in stillness. It is done while laying completely still. Learn more about Yoga Nidra Here.)**
Tell us about your work with Yoga Nidra and veterans? What is The Veterans Yoga Project?
When I lead a Yoga Nidra class with Veterans Yoga Project I have the pleasure of practicing with veterans, active duty, and their families and first responders, all of which may have PTS(D). The D is in parentheses because we believe PTS is a natural reaction to the individual’s experience. I am also certified in Trauma Informed Yoga and Veterans Yoga Project requires their teachers to take their Yoga Alliance approved Mindful Resistance Trauma Recovery certification.
All of our classes include breathwork, meditation, mindful movement, gratitude and guided rest. There are a variety of classes offered online and in person across the US including Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, Active Yoga, Power Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Slow Stretch, Chair Yoga, and Meditation. Veterans Yoga Project is on a mission to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families, and communities. VYP envisions a future where all those affected by trauma have access to a full range of mind-body practices and programs, and is committed to providing these tools and training in Safer, Predictable, and Controlled environments (SPaCe). Please read more on their website by following this Link. The military, first responder and caregiver community and their families can register for their free classes Here.
How does Yoga Nidra help with the treatment of PTS(D)?How have you seen Yoga Nidra benefit veterans that are struggling with PTS(D)?
Richard Miller’s iRest Yoga Nidra is specifically geared to working with veterans with PTS(D). One of my Veterans Yoga Project colleagues and favorite teachers shared a copy of a Miller led Nidra session she took. He allowed for recording and it’s my go-to when I want to sleep, even take a nap. His research and that of many, many reputable scientists and doctors shows that Yoga Nidra helps PTS(D) sufferers get rest or even sleep. It works to calm the nervous system making rest possible.
Yoga Nidra requires the participant to be still. Stillness can be daunting to many and especially to someone with PTS(D). I have Veterans tell me how they couldn’t tolerate Yoga Nidra initially but now practice it regularly.
What do you hope to offer to your students through the practice of yoga?
What advice would you offer someone wanting to incorporate a Yoga Nidra Practice into their life?
“The benefits of Yoga have a cumulative effect and I hope to offer a window into a path for achieving peace.” Adrianne Lind
Is there anything about the practice of Yoga Nidra in relation to veterans that has surprised you? Or taught you?
I am most touched by Richard Miller’s recollection that a veteran told him that they get 4 hours of sleep when they usually don’t sleep at all. Or when I lead a Nidra-like guided rest as part of a Yoga class and have veterans fall asleep.
Is there anything else you would like to add or elaborate on? Or, any other questions you wished I would have asked you that you would like to offer insight on?
I recently launched a podcast called “Yoga Saved Me”. The purpose is to offer accessible 30 – 60 minutes Yoga and Meditation practices and insightful conversations with other Yogis who were saved by Yoga. Just like the Richard Miller Yoga Nidra session I listen to, the podcast episodes will be there to help people practice Nidra, other meditations and Yoga practices when they need them. You can find the podcast on https://bit.ly/yogasaves and potential guests can express interest on https://bit.ly/yogasavesguest
How can readers connect with you? Follow you? Practice yoga with you? Website? Social Media? Etc..
Always Home Yoga (look under the What We Offer tab for online and private class information)
Final Thoughts...
As you can see, Adrianne is doing amazing things in service to others. Likewise, the yoga community is very fortunate to have her following her life’s work.
Please feel free to look into the resources that are provided in this article for grief and beyond. In addition, check out Adrianne’s website, podcast, and social media accounts. She is a joy to connect with and follow.
Thank you, again Adrianne, for so graciously participating in this blog post! Namaste.
About the Writer:
Hi, I am Candy. I started Harvesting Health and Happiness out of a desire to offer blog posts related to health and happiness. My hope is to spread encouraging words through my writings to uplift the collective. Learn more about my story HERE.
