Addiction, from an Ayurvedic lens, is more than just a physical dependence—it’s a deep imbalance in the body, mind, and spirit. It often arises from a disconnect from one’s true self (Prakriti) and an accumulation of toxins (Ama), whether physical, emotional, or energetic. Many turn to substances in an attempt to soothe inner suffering, regulate emotions, or fill a void left by trauma or unresolved pain.

• Vata imbalances can manifest as anxiety, restlessness, and a pervasive sense of emptiness, driving the urge to escape through addiction.

• Pitta imbalances fuel intense cravings, impulsivity, and self-destructive tendencies.

• Kapha imbalances create stagnation, attachment, and emotional heaviness, making it harder to break free from addictive cycles.

Substance use depletes Ojas (vital essence) and Prana (life force energy), but Ayurveda offers a path to rebuild through nourishment, breathwork, meditation, and detoxification practices like Panchakarma and Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy). By restoring balance through daily routines (Dinacharya) and sattvic living, we cultivate clarity, resilience, and self-awareness—key elements in long-term healing.

Today, we're honored to sit down with Rob Loud, a yoga teacher whose journey through drug and alcohol addiction led him to a path of deep transformation. Rob describes his teaching style as embodied vinyasa, drawing wisdom from multiple yogic lineages. His passion for yoga is evident—not just in his classes, which are creative, intelligent, and dynamic—but in the way he lives his practice.

In this conversation, Rob opens up about his early struggles with addiction, the trauma that shaped him, and how rewiring his nervous system through yoga became the foundation of his recovery. We discuss how yoga not only supports sobriety but also helps navigate both daily stressors and the deeper emotional wounds that addiction often masks.

This is a raw, vulnerable conversation—one that invites us all into a deeper intimacy with ourselves, our inner child, and the universal thread that unites us: compassion for the suffering we all experience as human beings.

Rob, thank you for your wisdom, your presence, and the light you bring to your students, on and off the mat.

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