Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder affect millions of adolescents and young adults worldwide. These conditions not only compromise physical health but deeply impact emotional regulation, body image, and overall quality of life. While traditional treatment approaches like psychotherapy, nutritional rehabilitation, and medical monitoring are essential, research increasingly supports yoga as a valuable adjunct therapy—especially for young people in recovery.
A core challenge of eating disorders is the disconnection between the body and the self. Many young people report feeling alienated from their physical form, driven by perfectionism, shame, or trauma. Yoga gently rebuilds the mind-body connection through mindful movement, breath awareness, and body-based presence.
A study by Carei et al. (2010) found that yoga significantly reduced preoccupation with food and body image in adolescent girls with disordered eating. Participants who practiced yoga twice weekly for 11 weeks showed greater improvement in eating disorder symptoms than a control group receiving standard care.
Citation:
Carei, T. R., Fyfe-Johnson, A. L., Breuner, C. C., & Brown, M. A. (2010). Randomized controlled clinical trial of yoga in the treatment of eating disorders. Eating Disorders, 18(4), 281–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2010.491584
Eating disorders are often accompanied by anxiety, depression, and trauma. Yoga helps regulate the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) response, which calms physiological stress signals and improves emotional balance.
West et al. (2004) found that yoga participants experienced decreased salivary cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety—biomarkers strongly associated with eating disorder behaviors and relapse.
Citation:
West, J., Otte, C., Geher, K., Johnson, J., & Mohr, D. C. (2004). Effects of Hatha yoga and African dance on perceived stress, affect, and salivary cortisol. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 28(2), 114–118. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2802_6
A more recent meta-analysis by Cramer et al. (2018) reinforced this finding, reporting that yoga significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults.
Citation:
Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Langhorst, J., & Dobos, G. (2018). Yoga for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Depression and Anxiety, 30(11), 1068–1083. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22166
For young people recovering from eating disorders, traditional fitness spaces may trigger feelings of inadequacy or competition. Yoga, especially in trauma-informed or eating disorder-sensitive settings, provides an inclusive and nonjudgmental space that fosters body neutrality and emotional safety.
A qualitative study by Conboy, Noggle, Frey, Kudesia, & Khalsa (2010) found that students participating in yoga programs reported greater resilience and less self-objectification, which are critical components of recovery from disordered eating.
Citation:
Conboy, L. A., Noggle, J. J., Frey, J. L., Kudesia, R. S., & Khalsa, S. B. S. (2010). Qualitative evaluation of a high school yoga program: Feasibility and perceived benefits. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 6(1), 46–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2009.10.002
Yoga philosophy teaches self-acceptance, mindfulness, and ahimsa (non-violence), all of which counteract the shame and body criticism that accompany eating disorders.
A study by Neumark-Sztainer et al. (2018) showed that adolescents who regularly practiced yoga reported greater body satisfaction and fewer unhealthy weight-control behaviors.
Citation:
Neumark-Sztainer, D., MacLehose, R. F., Watts, A. W., Pacanowski, C. R., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2018). Yoga and body image: Findings from a large population-based study of young adults. Body Image, 26, 132–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.07.002
Yoga is not a standalone cure for eating disorders, but when incorporated into a comprehensive recovery plan, it supports long-term healing and reduces relapse risk. Its adaptable nature—offering everything from energizing flows to calming restorative sessions—makes it a tool young people can return to again and again.
Clinics like The Renfrew Center and Monte Nido now include yoga in their treatment models, citing its success in improving patient outcomes and promoting emotional regulation.
Yoga offers a powerful, research-backed complement to eating disorder treatment for young people. Through emotional regulation, body awareness, and self-compassion, yoga helps shift the narrative from punishment to healing. With increasing support from clinical research and treatment programs, yoga is proving to be a vital bridge between clinical care and sustainable, embodied recovery.