In addition to general nicotine replacement therapy, you can learn yoga nidra with sankalps relating to quitting smoking or hypnotherapy technique called systematic desensitization for getting rid of addiction of smoking craving. Besides this, in diet, you can add alkaline diets, and add multi-vitamin/mineral diets and supplements if you cannot have foods rich in multi-vitamin/minerals like broccoli, avacados, berries, pumpkin seeds, spinach. Herbs like Gingko Biloba can also help for antioxidants which may compensate for damage caused due to smoking. But it is better to consult your physician first before adopting herbs. Bach flower remedy can help you crab apple and impatiens to deal with cravings. So far as yoga is concerned, you can use any of the six yogic cleansing techniques called shatkarmas under guidance of qualified yoga therapist to deal with detoxification of your body that can help you deal with quitting smoking habits. As stress stimulates smoker to get back into the trap of smoking, it is better to learn progressive muscular relaxation, also called deep relaxation technique.
Kapalbhati Pranayama helps a lot in oxygenation and elimination of toxins out of smoking. Among asanas, Balasana, Sarvangasana and Bhujangasana helps in destressing and thus getting rid of smoking stimulations. Shavasana aids in relaxation through yoga nidra or autogenic training.
There has been good results in one research. Yoga classes were conducted twice weekly for 8 weeks by certified yoga instructors with over 15 years experience and who were trained in the Vinyasa style. Vinyasa is a form of Hatha yoga that emphasizes the continuous flow of movement between postures (asanas) and links breath with the movements. In collaboration with the researchers, yoga instructors selected a pattern of asanas that was appropriate for beginners and taught them consistently during each class. Each class consisted of 5 minutes of breathing exercises (pranayamas) and seated meditation, followed by 45 minutes of dynamically linked asanas. Classes concluded with 10 minutes of closing postures (similar to the “cooling down” period following aerobic exercise) and a final seated meditation. At the end of treatment (week 8), participants in the yoga condition demonstrated increased odds of 24-hour smoking cessation Reference Books:
- Stop Smoking - This cheap handy-sized book contains all the information you need to find a method that works for you. It presents in a clear practical way the different techniques on offer.
- Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking
