Yoga, Healing, and Learning to Feel Safe Again

What if yoga isn't a supplement to addiction recovery — but one of its most powerful tools? In this episode of The Recovery Guide Podcast, host Michael Herbert sits down with Fern L Conn, a certified yoga teacher with 35 years of experience and owner of the Dancing Lion Studio in Delray Beach, Florida, to make exactly that case. Fern brings a grounded, science-backed perspective on why yoga — and Yin yoga in particular — belongs at the center of recovery programs rather than as a schedule filler. Through breathwork, present-moment awareness, and moving the body as a vessel for healing, she explains how the practice addresses what traditional talk therapy often can't: the stress locked in the nervous system, the cravings held in the tissues, and the shame quietly running the show. Michael shares his own journey into yoga — the skepticism, the six-month commitment, the daily attendance, and the genuine transformation he's experienced. Together they explore comparison, self-judgment, surrender, and what it means to find stillness when the world won't slow down. Midway through the episode, Fern leads listeners through a live guided breathwork exercise you can follow along with right now. Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/ Follow Fern: https://www.instagram.com/fernlconn/  This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help. Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance. 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Misconceptions About Yoga 03:05 Is Yoga Just a “Filler” in Treatment? 04:52 The Philosophy of Yoga & Healing 07:14 Taking Control of Your Thinking 08:02 Yoga for Stress, Cravings & Emotions 09:32 Living in the Present (Anxiety vs Peace) 13:09 Yoga as a Spiritual Practice 15:52 Letting Go of Comparison & Judgment 18:02 Healing Shame & Trauma Through Yoga 23:40 Longevity, Health & the Body 26:48 Breathwork & the Nervous System 27:54 Guided Breathwork Exercise 31:26 Meditation Made Simple 34:47 Fern’s Story: From Dance to Yoga 39:24 The Meaning of Shavasana 41:18 Surrender & Recovery 41:40 How to Start a Yoga Practice 45:47 Final Thoughts