Hatha yoga helps kick habit - The Creightonian

Need to kick a bad habit? Tired of smelling like smoke? Creighton University researchers have come up with the right solution for you.

Amy Mayer, assistant professor of the Department of Occupational Therapy has developed a new study with the Alegent Creighton Clinic Cardiac Center to help those wanting to quit smoking. By adding Hatha Yoga to an established smoking cessation program, Mayer hopes to help smokers successfully quit and aid their process.

The Cardiac Center faculty and staff have developed smoking cessation programs throughout Nebraska and the Omaha metropolitan area since 1981 that offer individual and group counseling. These programs are geared towards adult, youth and pregnant women. As part of a contracted wellness service, the Cardiac Center provides these programs to approximately 30 local worksite locations to promote happy and healthy employees.

“Commit to Quit” is Creighton’s highly successful smoking cessation curriculum that assists in helping people quit smoking over a seven-week program. Different topics in the curriculum include identifying triggers and preparing for change among other things. Mayer believes adding Hatha Yoga to the program can only improve participant’s progress.

“Yoga has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve lung function. These are all part of the smoking cessation experience,” Mayer said. “Our research is aimed at determining if yoga can help people be more successful with their smoking cessation goals.”

Creighton also offers an additional program called “Tobacco 101” where participants can understand the nature of addiction to tobacco and identify it as a substance. This program is designed to help people who haven’t completely quit, but are still deciding if they want to try. It features hour-long group sessions with lecture and discussion, as well as individual counseling if preferred.

Eligible participants must currently smoke at least five times a day, be willing to try yoga, be at least 19 years of age and be able to attend eight group counseling sessions. To learn more about how to participate in this study, visit Creighton’s Research Participation Information webpage.